If you are searching for an unforgettable adventure in The Gambia – one filled with nature, history and culture – then this a destination you cannot miss.
DAY 1:
We depart from the hotel at 6 am and drive through the south bank to Soma. From there we cross the river to the North Bank and Farafenni. Farafenni is a main commercial town and close to the Gambia-Senegal border. Here we will enjoy a guided walk through the local market, experiencing the vibrant countryside lifestyle, and enjoy our lunch at a nice restaurant offering a stunning view.
After lunch we continue driving to Wassu where we visit the famous stone circles. This is the largest megalithic complex in The Gambia, and is part of a vast region declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The stone circles consists of many laterite stones carefully placed into perfect circles and they have served as funerary monuments to the former elite of the region. From there we will have quick drive to Kuntaur.
In Kuntaur we will visit Baboon island, a sanctuary of natural beauty and a vital habitat for wildlife. The park consists of six islands and is home to a successful Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. We embark on a boat to see wild hippos peeking out of the water, chimpanzees leaping from trees, manatees, and other wildlife. We may also see crocodiles lounging in the river.
After the boat trip we will rest before we take a walk in the rice fields. The rice fields are vast alluvial flats used for rice cultivation and walking here during sunrise or sunset is a favourite for birdwatchers and photographers. We will also visit a traditional Gambian hut to learn about family life, social norms and cultural beliefs. After the excursion we will have comfortable overnight at Kairo Garden in Kuntaur which offers cozy rooms, running water, decent toilets, and charming riverside view.
DAY 2:
After our breakfast we visit Janjanbureh, also previously known as Georgetown when it still was a Brittish colonial settlement. At that time it was the second largest city in the Gambia. Today the city is much smaller and we will visit the local market, a warehouse, the Kankurang museum, an old slave house.
The journey continues through the southern bank and we stop for lunch, at Absca Creek Lodge. A lodge located in the middle of a mangrove forest. After lunch we drive back to the hotel.
Pick up time 6 am end time 6 pm