Day Trips

Kunta Kinteh Island & Jufureh

Duration: Full day (8+ hours) | Cost: $60-80

Itinerary

1. Morning: Early start, drive to Barra ferry or Banjul
2. Mid-morning: Boat ride up the River Gambia
3. Late morning: Visit Kunta Kinteh Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
4. Lunch: Traditional meal in Jufureh village (Roots fame)
5. Afternoon: Tour the village, museum, and family compound
6. Evening: Return by boat and road

What You’ll See

• 🏛️ Slave trade fort and museum
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Meet the Kinte family
• 🦜 River wildlife (birds, monkeys)
• 🏘️ Traditional village life

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Abuko Nature Reserve + Crocodile Pool

Duration: Half day (4-5 hours) | Cost: $30-50 (or DIY for less)

Morning Itinerary

1. 8:00 am: Start early (animals are active)
2. 8:30-11:00: Abuko Nature Reserve walk
3. 11:30: Kachikally Crocodile Pool
4. 12:30: Lunch in Bakau/Serrekunda

What You’ll See

• 🐒 Colobus and vervet monkeys
• 🐊 Crocodiles (touch them!)
• 🦜 270+ bird species
• 🦎 Reptiles and wildlife

DIY Option

Taxi to Abuko (D200), entry fee D150, plus guide tip. Then taxi to Kachikally (D100), entry D100.

Sanyang Beach + Tanji Fish Market

Duration: Full day | Cost: $40-60 or DIY

Itinerary

1. Morning: Relax at Sanyang Beach
2. Lunch: Fresh grilled fish at the beach restaurant
3. Afternoon: Paradise Beach bar (optional)
4. Late afternoon (4-6 pm): Tanji Fish Market – watch boats return

What You’ll Experience

• 🏖️ Beautiful, unspoilt beach
• 🐟 Freshest seafood you’ll ever eat
• 📸 Incredible photos at the fish market
• 🛶 Colourful fishing boats

DIY Option

Hire a taxi for the day (D2,000-2,500) and do it at your own pace.

Makasutu Cultural Forest

Duration: Full day | Cost: $70-100 (all-inclusive)

Itinerary

1. Morning: Pick-up from the hotel
2. 10:00: Welcome drink and briefing
3. 10:30: Canoe ride through mangroves
4. 12:00: Village tour and cultural demonstrations
5. 13:00: Traditional lunch
6. 14:30: Palm wine tapping, forest walk
7. 16:00: Return to the hotel

What’s Included

• 🛶 Canoe ride through mangroves
• 🏘️ Traditional village visit
• 🌴 Palm wine tapping
• 🍽️ Traditional Gambian lunch
• 🦜 Wildlife spotting

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Birding Tour

Duration: Half day or full day | Cost: $40-80

Best Locations

• Abuko Nature Reserve – 270+ species, easy access
• Tanji Bird Reserve – Coastal species
• Kotu Creek – Great for waders
• Kartong – Bird observatory
• River Gambia – River cruise for water birds

Best Time

November to February (European migrants present)

What You Might See

Kingfishers, bee-eaters, sunbirds, hornbills, eagles, owls, egrets, herons, and many more of the 540+ species
recorded!

Sunset River Cruise

Duration: 3-4 hours (afternoon) | Cost: $35-50

What’s Included

• 🛥️ Boat trip on the River Gambia
• 🐬 Chance to see dolphins
• 🦛 Possible hippo sightings (upriver)
• 🌅 Stunning sunset views
• 🍹 Drinks and snacks

When to Go

Afternoon departures (2-3 pm) for sunset viewing

Cross to Senegal

Duration: Full day (10+ hours) | Cost: $80-150

Options

• Lac Rose (Pink Lake) – 3 hours from the border
• Dakar – Capital city exploration
• Île de Gorée – Historic slave island (UNESCO)

Requirements

• Valid passport
• Most nationalities don’t need a visa for Senegal
• Cash for border fees (if any)