Top Things to do in Gambia
10 Sightseeing Tours in Gambia That You Shouldn't Miss
This small country in western Africa has become more popular recently as a beach destination for European travelers. It’s a relatively short flight, there’s no time difference, and lodging is generally very affordable. River Island National Park in Banjul is fantastic for watching wildlife (especially the native baboons).
Restaurants in Gambia
1. Private Full-Day Gambian Home Cooking Experience in Banjul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The menu varies from meat and fish dishes like Yassa, to Benachin rice. We also make local juices like Baobab and Wonjo juice, which is a dark cranberry-coloured juice, made from boiling the dark red flower from the sorrel plant. We will take you to a local market, dress in a traditional Gambian outfit and help you shop for food items or you to take home. We will then give you the guidelines on how to cook Gambian cuisine. You will then do the cooking including all the preparation of meats, vegetables, fish and rice. Finally, we sit as a family and friends and devour the meal before returning to the hotel.
Inclusions: Lunch, Beverages, Bottled water, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by Land Rover, Private transportation
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By RalphBombe
It was a great tour, on the road there are many things to see and the tourguide Lemin knows allot wich make it very nice. The walk with lions was great and impressive, and then we had a bootride wich was unbelievble (for me) at a nice hotel we had dinner and lunch wich was also provided. I would recomment tgis trip. Ralph Bombe
2. Private Half Day Banujl City Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
A tour around The Gambia's capital city and surrounding areas, to familiarize everyone with the main places to visit.
Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By Susie Y
Arrived and booked for the Lion walk after the safari in good time and the walk was arranged for 13.00. The safari it’s self was really quick and all the animals there were seen within the first 30 mins at the man made watering holes. The rest of the time was just riding about in the dust, A word of warning please make sure you have a scarf to cover your nose and mouth, We arrived back at reception to be told we would be called for the lion walk. No one came. Our guide went to see them and came back to us to inform us that it would not be taking place until 2.30pm or afterwards or not at all. Their reason was that a large coach load had taken our place. I was really upset as it was my birthday and the walk with the lions was a very special present. Due to my age and health status I know I shall never have a another opportunity to do it. Our guide even pleaded with the reception staff to just let me go to no avail. I was gutted and even back in the UK I am still.
3. Market trip & Traditional home cook meal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This experience will take you into the day to day life of a Gambian woman and family. We go to the market to shop for food, daily, to feed our families, and also buy products at the market, and we will take you to the largest one. Let us show you what Gambia looks like through the eyes of Gambian women. We want to show you the amazing country we live in, meet new people and enjoy authentic home cooked food, that you can learn how to make with us. We started this business after being encouraged by our first guest, who is a friends Wife. We took her out, at her request, to experience these things we are offering, as no other women are offering something like this for you to experience our daily lives. The experience was amazing for all of us, and now we wish to share this with you. Our other goal is to send a child to school each year with proceeds from our experiences. We believe it is important to teach our children well, to become strong adults.
Inclusions: lunch depends on available fresh produces in the market, use of cooking materials , Bottled water
Exclusions: sunscreen,guidebook, Gratuities
4. South Gambia Tour - Fishing village and Paradise Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The South Gambia-tour is for people who are interested in seeing something more than the tourist areas. The Tanji Fishing Center is one of the major fishing communities in the Gambia and the Paradise Beach in Sanyang is a beautiful and peaceful place.
Inclusions: Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 765kingsleye
Overall, I had an excellent experience with Jimmy. He picked me up from Banjul airport at 1am as planned and dropped me off at my hotel. In addition to the above, I was looking for a tour guide to show me around Banjul and Jimmy was excellent. He was able to plan the Banjul itinerary around my time/availability with enough flexibility. He picked me up from the hotel and dropped me off at the end of the tour. Jimmy is very friendly and professional. I highly recommend this tour! 10/10.
5. Banjul City Tour - Culture and history
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 7 reviews
On this Banjul City Tour we will be visiting some of the main attractions for people who are interested in history! During this tour we will visit the Arch 22, Gambia National Museum and the Albert Market which is named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert.
Inclusions: Private transportation
Exclusions: Admission fees to the venues are not included
Reviewed By 812mariamt
Me and my friend went on this tour with Jimmy - and we loved it. We had a tight schedule that day, and Jimmy made sure that we got to see the things we wanted to. He's a good guide and has a lot of knowledge about the country. Would 10/10 recommend this tour!
6. See It All – Safari Tour
Overall Ratings
4.1 based on 14 reviews
This excursion is for those of you who want to experience a lot in a single day. We start early in the morning and visit Kachikally Crocodile pool, Serekunda market, Lamin lodge, The wood carving factory in Brikama, Paradise Beach in Sanyang and Tanji fish market. This is a whole-day trip. Make sure to bring water and sunscreen! NOTE: Admission fees (Kachickally Crocodile Pool) and fees for boat trip (Lamin Lodge) are not included in the price.
Inclusions: Knowledgeable Local Guide
Exclusions: Entrance tickets for the different attractions are not included in the price.
Reviewed By 765kingsleye
Overall, I had an excellent experience with Jimmy. He picked me up from Banjul airport at 1am as planned and dropped me off at my hotel. In addition to the above, I was looking for a tour guide to show me around Banjul and Jimmy was excellent. He was able to plan the Banjul itinerary around my time/availability with enough flexibility. He picked me up from the hotel and dropped me off at the end of the tour. Jimmy is very friendly and professional. I highly recommend this tour! 10/10.
7. Safari To Fathala, Senegal
Overall Ratings
3.3 based on 3 reviews
We depart early around 06.00hrs and head to Banjul for our ferry crossing to Barra. We will be welcomed into the Fathala Nature Reserve currently 2000 acres of a natural environment which many African Wildlife have now made their home. On our 4 X 4 vehicle, we will be able to follow the animal tracks through the wilderness in search of some of the species that roam the area. In just 2-3hrs, it is possible to spot Giraffes, Rhinos, Giant Elands, Zebras , Antelopes, Warthogs, Buffaloes to mention only a few – How lucky you might be? Don’t forget your cameras – this may be your only chance to take some amazing pictures! Lunch in the wild and drinks are available to buy during the day at the park. An optional Lion Walk of about 30mins if available for those who dare to take part (paid locally). Please bring along your passport and acquire your visa(s) if you required one plus yellow fever certificate. The ferry schedule and condition is beyond my control as it is a public ferry
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Lunch, Private transportation, Ferry crossings and border formalities
Exclusions: Optional Lion Walk of €40, Entry clearance / visa fees
Reviewed By SugarGal
I throughly enjoyed my time with Ibrahim. He was a wealth of information about Banjul and was also patient with my numerous photo stops
8. Private Janjangbureh Overnight Tour
We depart early to explore both sides of the Gambia (north and south),we drive cross to the North Bank to visit the Wassu Stone Circles, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive to Kuntaur to board our boat to explore the River Gambia, a 2-3hrs relaxing cruise. Be on the lookout for Hippos, Crocodiles, Baboons, Monkeys, colourful birds and Chimpanzees. We will be cruising around River Gambia National Park (RGNP) before returning back to Kuntaur for our evening drive to Janjangbureh. (Please note; Chimpanzees are kept on islands and visitors are only allowed to sail around the islands) The next morning, we exploring the Island on foot and depart after lunch towards our hotel On the return journey, if it falls on a market day we would stop to visit a ‘Lumo’ (our weekly African open flea market) an opportunity to witness traditional bartering in this unique setting.Proceed to visit one of the local family compounds to learn about the traditional way of life
Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, All Fees and Taxes, Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Susie Y
Arrived and booked for the Lion walk after the safari in good time and the walk was arranged for 13.00. The safari it’s self was really quick and all the animals there were seen within the first 30 mins at the man made watering holes. The rest of the time was just riding about in the dust, A word of warning please make sure you have a scarf to cover your nose and mouth, We arrived back at reception to be told we would be called for the lion walk. No one came. Our guide went to see them and came back to us to inform us that it would not be taking place until 2.30pm or afterwards or not at all. Their reason was that a large coach load had taken our place. I was really upset as it was my birthday and the walk with the lions was a very special present. Due to my age and health status I know I shall never have a another opportunity to do it. Our guide even pleaded with the reception staff to just let me go to no avail. I was gutted and even back in the UK I am still.
9. MAKASUTU - cultural forrest, Brikama
This excursion is for nature-lovers and for people who are interested in culture, history and natural medicin. In Makasutu you will be learning about the different plants and trees as well as the traditional uses for them. Then we take a canoe ride along the Mandinga Bolong creek in a traditional African pirogue. You will also have the possibility to try out some fresh palm juice or get your fortune told by the local Marabout..
Inclusions: Private transportation
Exclusions: Entry fee to Makasutu
Reviewed By 765kingsleye
Overall, I had an excellent experience with Jimmy. He picked me up from Banjul airport at 1am as planned and dropped me off at my hotel. In addition to the above, I was looking for a tour guide to show me around Banjul and Jimmy was excellent. He was able to plan the Banjul itinerary around my time/availability with enough flexibility. He picked me up from the hotel and dropped me off at the end of the tour. Jimmy is very friendly and professional. I highly recommend this tour! 10/10.
10. Bijilo Forest park
we are a private two, three women tour and experience providers,and we want you to see the country through local women's eyes. Our other goal is to send a child to school each year with proceeds from our experiences. We believe it is important to teach our children well, to become strong adults.
Inclusions: water
Exclusions: food
Reviewed By Tracy D
I had an absolutely wonderful time taking this experience with these two wonderful hostesses. To be honest, a friend of mine told me about this excursion. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, aside from being taken around to the market and then having a Gambian meal. I was in for a wonderful surprise. The market we went to was so interesting, and both Sainabou and Mariama were so gracious and fun! They made sure I was comfortable from time of pick up all the way through the day. We explored the market, I asked questions, they even helped me negotiate pricing on a few items that I wanted to buy. Most everyone speaks English in The Gambia, but for those people who don't have a strong command of the language, Mariama and Sainabou were great at helping me to translate to people about things I was looking for. Everyone was so friendly, and I fully enjoyed my time with them. As for the food...good grief, these women can cook! I was asked if there was anything that I didn't like, and I told them, honestly, I don't really care for most fish. They asked me if I would try a fish dish, if they made it, along with some other things, and of course since it wasn't the only thing, I was game. From a non-fish eater, this is the best fish I've ever eaten, and I so wish I could cook fish like them, as I'd eat it every day! I'm now hooked on several Gambian dishes, and they even taught me the basics of making a couple of things that I could take home with me, for the future (to make myself), with ingredients I could find in America. I cannot recommend this excursion enough, and hope to go back and do another one with them on my next trip!
