The Gambia & Senegal - From West African Vibes to St Louis Jazz, by David Else (Lonely Planet Publications, £10.99)
BEST known as the home of African music stars Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour, the Gambia and Senegal offer a "beguiling taste of West African vitality and experience" according to the new Lonely Planet Guide.
Bordering the Atlantic, the region is one of the poorest in the world with 200 children in every 1,000 dying before the age of five and an economy crippled by debt.
But, as the guide makes clear, the countries remain some of the most fascinating and vibrant in Africa and are both easy and cheap to reach from Britain.
The guide is split evenly between the two neighbouring states and describes each in great depth, including their colonial past and current political situation.
Uniquely, the guide also includes a special 16-page colour section on the region's 600-plus bird species, together with a fascinating illustrated section on West African music.
The 384-page book delves into the highlights of each country, from the Grand Cootie in West Central Senegal - best known to motorsport fans as the backdrop to the final stage of the famous Paris Dakar rally - to the faded colonial glory of St Louis, the former capital of West Africa.
Simon Newton
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