A stunning country with 34C March weather and direct flights from the UK offers Brits 50 miles of stunning coastline with white-sand beaches. Known as ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’, the Republic of The Gambia – or simply The Gambia – is so called after The Gambia River, which forms the core of the country’s geography. It is also the smallest nation in mainland Africa and is renowned for its friendly locals.

Located on the Atlantic coast, The Gambia has a subtropical climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons. In the capital city of Banjul, average high temperatures in March reach 34C, while the sea hits a pleasant 26C. Travellers heading from the UK to Gambia have a choice of 17 airlines, according to Booking.com.

TUI runs holiday packages to The Gambia with flights departing from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport to Banjul Internatonal Airport, the country’s capital. Flights from the UK take around six and a half hours.

Despite being only 31 miles across at its widest, The Gambia is home to 50 miles of coastline that boasts white-sand beaches, with notable highlights including the coastal Kotu and Kololi.

Bordered by the West African nation of Senegal on every side, The Gambia’s official language is English and has enjoyed “long spells of stability” since it declared independence from almost 150 years of British colonial rule in 1965, according to the BBC.

A wildlife haven, The Gambia hosts hippos, chimpanzees, crocodiles, and upwards of 600 bird species. Culturally, it is made up of nine tribes, with the Mandinka representing the largest group.

Waleed Maoed, a YouTuber who recently visited The Gambia, shared his experience with the locals in a video about the country: “Honestly, it has been a great day in Gambia, home of the Smiling Coast.

“People here are awesome. Very welcoming. I definitely recommend visiting this country. This country is pretty cool.” He added that he’d travelled to “many places” in Africa, but people in the Gambia had been “super kind”.

The Gambia is a predominantly flat, low-lying strip of land split by the Gambia River, and, in what will come as a relief to those of us who struggle with jet lag, it operates on the same timezone as the UK.

Some of the local highlights include the River Gambia National Park, Kotu Beach, Kachikally Crocodile Pool, Albert Market and the historic Kunta Kinteh Island (formerly known as James Island).

In terms of traditional cuisine, white rice served with spicy sauces is popular, writes The Gambian Experience, with the peanut-based Domoda stew being the country’s national dish.

Other local fare includes seasoned meat snack afra, meat-and-rice offering benachin, okra stew, palm wine, a type of bread known as tapalapa, non-alcoholic wonjo juice, and chicken yassa.

In March 2013, Didi Danso wrote in the Mirror about a trip to The Gambia: “Stepping off the plane, warm air blasted me in the face. Temperatures are usually around 30C – one of the main reasons for its popularity with winter and spring sun-seekers.

“In the airport and beyond, people greeted me with a smiling face. This was so infectious that by the end of each day, my cheeks ached from smiling back.

“My first stop was the beautiful Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu resort, where a light and airy room with a private balcony offered views of the ocean and beaches.

“Waking up to the sound of the sea was a delightful way to start the day. It convinced me to take a walk on the beautiful Bakau Beach – something I’d recommend to all.”