Lush wilderness, exoticism, and generous hospitality are the hallmarks of West Africa. To experience it for yourself, join us on this 8-day tour of the best of Gambia starting in Banjul. We'll visit Birkama, the Soma region, and other must-see wonders of the country.
8-Day Tour of the Best of Gambia
Day 1: Banjul - Sanyang
Welcome to Gambia! We'll pick you up at the airport in Banjul, and from there we'll drive to the town of Sanyang to drop your luggage at the hotel. You'll have the rest of the day free to stroll around, take a dip at the beach, and have dinner on your own.
Day 2: Sanyang - Tendaba
After breakfast in Sanyang, we'll start our journey through the south of Gambia towards Tendaba. On the way, we'll visit different towns to learn about the country's popular and traditional culture.
Once we have arrived in Tendaba you'll have a few hours free for lunch. We'll meet again in the afternoon for a boat ride through the mangroves. During the two-and-a-half-hour trip, we'll be able to spot different birds, crocodiles, and many other animals. Keep your eyes peeled!
We'll end the day by returning to our accommodation in Tendaba for dinner on your own.
Day 3: Tendaba - Sinchu Njugar - Kudang
At sunrise, we'll set out from Tendaba and head to the town of Sinchu Njugar. This town is the capital of the Soma region, which is located in the geographical heart of Gambia.
We'll take a tour of Sinchu Njugar with its spectacular scenic areas, and then we'll enter the Peul region to discover this land full of acacias and baobabs which is inhabited by the nomads of the African savannah. In addition, we'll visit a traditional village where members of the local community will teach us about their cuisine and culture.
Finally, we'll head to a rural lodge in Njugari-Kudang and allow time for lunch on your own. With our appetites satiated, we'll start a three-hour drive through the Gambia River National Park. If we're lucky, we'll be able to see the famous African hippos, the true kings of these lands. Following the course of the Gambia River, we'll reach Baboon Island, famous for its large colony of monkeys.
We'll then return to the lodge so you can have dinner at your leisure and rest until the next day.
Day 4: Kudang - Bintang Bolong
After breakfast in Njugari-Kudang, we'll head to the area of the Bintang Bolong, the largest tributary of the Gambia River, whose source is in the Senegalese region of Kolda.
We'll be staying in this area so, after dropping off your luggage, you'll have free time for lunch.
We'll return to our accommodation in Bintang Bolong for dinner.
Day 5: Bintang Bolong - Birkama - Sanyang
We'll spend the morning of this fifth day visiting the fishing villages around Sanyang. After that, the route will continue on to Birkama to visit its handicrafts and wood market. You can have lunch on your own in Birkama.
In the evening, we'll return to the shores around Sanyang for a delicious dinner on the beach. We'll light a bonfire on the sand and, by the light of the flames, we'll listen to various traditional tales and stories from this part of Africa.
After dinner, we'll take you back to the hotel.
Day 6: Sanyang - Serekunda - Tanji - Sanyang
Once we've had breakfast at the hotel in Sanyang, we'll head to Serekunda, the most populated city in Gambia. Here, some local artisans will show us how they use the unique batik technique for printing fabrics.
We'll leave you some free time for lunch, and then we'll head over to the coastal village of Tanji to see how the locals unload their colorful barges full of fish on the beach.
We'll return to the hotel Sanyang, where you can have dinner on your own and rest for the next day.
Day 7: Sanyang - Katchikally - Sanyang
We'll start the day by visiting Katchikally, a famous sacred crocodile pond used in rituals to invoke fertility. After seeing these prehistoric creatures, you'll have an hour free for lunch at your leisure.
In the afternoon, we'll visit a reserve known for its ape population. This will be the last thing we do before returning to Sanyang.
Day 8: Sanyang - Bakau - Banjul
This last day in Sanyang will be completely open, so you'll decide what you want to do. After lunchtime, we'll drive to the city of Bakau early enough to get to Banjul Airport. Have a nice flight back!
Accommodation
The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation at the following 3-star hotels:
- Sanyang (4 nights): Ecolodge Hawa Hotel or similar
- Bintang Bolong (1 night): Abcass Krek Hotel or similar
- Kudang (1 night): Kudang Hotel or similar
- Tendaba (1 night): Tendaba Camp or similar
