We are often asked what sights we think are worth seeing, which places we found interesting and what would we recommend doing.  These are our thoughts.

The details may change so we suggest you check with a good guide book. We prefer the “Rough Guide” series because they are well written and kept up to date. You can get more details on: www.roughguides.com

River Gambia long distance trips

 

Lamin Lodge.  River boat anchored at Nature Camp, Janjanbureh

We have thoroughly enjoyed spending three days and two nights travelling up the river from Lamin Lodge to Janjanbureh. The boats are traditional wooden hulled pirogues with an open wooden superstructure.

 

It is incredibly relaxing to lounge on the deck spotting the many different species of brilliantly coloured birds along the river and looking out for crocodiles and hippos. If you are lucky you may have dolphins around the boat near the estuary.

 

At night you sleep peacefully under mosquito nets on the deck. The crew is boat’s captain, a deckhand and a cook. Whether it is being out on the river or having a really good cook we have always found the food on these boats to be great. It is better if a group of say six or eight friends hire the boat together. Alternatively you can travel with another group.  The river trips start at Lamin Lodge. This is also the starting point for many half day and one day boat trips. Bird watching trips set out at dawn in canoes cruising along the mangrove swamps channels to spot the hundreds of water bird species in the area.  Lamin Lodge itself is eccentric timber structure which houses a restaurant and some accommodation. The long distance river trips end at the Nature Camp at Janjanbureh and people then take a bushvan or taxi back to Barra and the ferry into Banjul.         

Gambia’s Beaches

 

Fishing boats on Sanyang Beach. Sand Plover Beach bar near Bakau

Gambia has wonderful clean beaches which stretch for miles. With guaranteed sun and cloudless skies they are a great way to spend a few days. The beaches near the tourist hotels are patrolled by security staff to ward off the hawkers and beach fruit and juice sellers, otherwise these can be a nuisance.  However the unspoilt beaches away from the tourist areas can be a delight.

Local Markets

 

Basse Market. An apprentice in Brikama Craft Market

It is worthwhile and very rewarding to get away from the tourist areas and visit one of the many local fruit, veg and household markets. These are busy crowded and energetic places where the locals buy their daily needs. Spend a bit of time chatting to the stall holders. Money spent here will go straight into the local economy. The craft markets are of course set up for tourists and bargining is expected. Still many of the wood carvings on sale are attractive and many Gambians derive a living from making and selling them. 

Makasutu Cultural Forest

 

 

Makasutu is an attraction designed to give the visitor a taste of the Gambia. Here you can try paddling through the mangrove swamps in a dugout canoe.  Really knowledgeable guides conduct forest walks for spotting birds, baboons, monkeys and discussing the trees and plants. During lunch entertaining traditional dance and music is performed. It is a good day out for all the family.  Makasuto is near the town of Brikama.  The best way to get there is through your hotel or guesthouse or you can travel independently by Tourist Taxi. 

 

Banjul City Tours

 

A visit to the Capital, Banjul, should take in Arch 22, The National Museum and Albert Market. The road into Banjul is dominated by the big white Arch 22, built to commemorate the successful military coup of army lieutenant Yahya Jammeh on 22 July 1994.  President Jammeh is still in power after a couple of successful elections. Visitors should also pause to see King Fahad Mosque, probably the most attractive building in Banjul. Muslim visitors may see inside whilst non-Muslim visitors need to request permission.

 

It is also possible to have a guided tour of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital. Most visitors take an organised tour from their hotel. However there is plenty public transport from the very cheap and cheerful bushvans, through local yellow and green taxis to the all green tourist taxis.

 

Bijilo Forest Park

 

Not far from the Senegambia Tourist area the Bijilo Forest Park offers a chance to wander through pristine tropical forest with towering palms and spreading broad leaf trees. There is absolutely no difficulty in spotting monkeys along the four well laid out and marked circular trails.  The shy red colombus monkeys are however more elusive, but patience may bring its rewards.  This is a good place to have a relaxing picnic under the trees.  Guides are available and they are good at spotting the wildlife that you otherwise might miss.

 

Katchikali Sacred Crocodile Pool

The approach to Katchikali through the village of Bakau is an education in itself. The people are used to visitors and there are handicraft stalls on the main road and painting places in the village. However the village has not been cleaned up or improved to attract tourists.  Katchikali, regarded as a scared pool, is a deep pool and home to fifty or so crocodiles. This is your chance to get up close and personal to big reptiles which are well fed and pretty docile. The friendly guides encourage people to have their photographs taken stroking the crocs. A walk in the surrounding woodland may be rewarded with the sighting of a two metre monitor lizard. There is also an interesting cultural museum at Katchikali. The best way to get there is through your hotel or guesthouse or you can travel independently by Tourist Taxi.  

 

Abuko Nature Reserve

The Abuko Nature Reserve has nice well laid out walks through pleasant woodland. Visitors are almost guaranteed to see colourful birds, butterflies and at least two species of monkeys. Its main charm though is an opportunity to spend a quiet half day away from the tourist hotspots. There is a zoo of sorts but the cages are too small and the apes look traumatised by their captivity. It is probably best to give this a miss. There is also a big domestic animal market at Abuko which is worth a look. Abuko Nature Reserve is on the road between Serrekunda and Brikama.  There are bush vans which pass the reserve, but the best way to get there is through your hotel or guesthouse or you can travelling independently in a Tourist Taxi. 

 

James Island and Jufureh

 

James Island seen from the river.  Barra Ferries passing

Visits to James Island are usually associated with organised trips to Albreda and Jufureh, made by famous by the “Roots” novel.  There is a ruined castle on James Island which is in the estuary of the River Gambia, near the north bank. The north bank towns of Albreda and Jufureh have some displays addressing the slave trade, which was never very active on this part of the West African coast. The main interest in visiting James Island is the ferry crossing between Banjul and Barra.  Barra itself is a port alive with the energy and hustle and bustle of travelling in West Africa. Most visitors take advantage of a hotel organised trip.  An alternative is to visit James Island as part of a long distance river trip.

 

Wassu stone circles

 
These enigmatic stone circles are thought to be 700 to 800 years old and the relics of a civilisation which once prospered here. There are similar stone circles elsewhere in Gambia and Senegal, but the site at Wassu is the best example. The stone circles are near the small town of Kuntaur, between the larger towns of Farafenni and Janjanbureh (Georgetown). This is a good place to stop if you are on a north bank road trip, the toilets are clean and well maintained.  It is also a popular stopping place for long distance boat trips. Visitors travel on flat bed horse drawn carts to get from the river to the stone circles. 

All of these sights can be arranged through your hotel or tour operator.

www.gambia.co.uk
www.gambiatours.gm

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