Day tours in the Gambia
| country: | Gambia |
| departures: | These tours can be booked at a time to suit |
| price: | From £24 - £29 (1 day) excluding flights. Price depends on type of tour, please find details below |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
These full day cultural tours and excursions are for those of you who are visiting The Gambia with another operator and want to experience high quality tours of distinction at a reasonable cost whilst not compromising on quality and safety.
Animals galore
Tour price: £28 per person
The Day starts with a visit to Kachikally Crocodile Pool, one of three Sacred Pools in The Gambia, where you can stroke Charlie the Crocodile who has appeared in several TV programmes, including "Wish You Were Here". You will then travel twenty kilometres to The Gambia's principle Nature Reserve, Abuko, a little area of jungle in the middle of a savannah. Abuko places equal importance on protection and conservation of nature; there is an animal orphanage as well as monkeys, crocodiles, hyenas, antelopes and many species of birds. There is a small café where you can relax and have a drink. There is plenty of shade at the crocodile pool and the Nature Reserve, making this tour particularly inviting for families as well as couples.
After the Nature Reserve, you will visit a beachside restaurant for lunch (price not included) before traveling to Tanji where you will have the opportunity to see and touch the camels used for the Camel Safari and, if you are lucky, they will perform for you. You will hear how these camels came to be in The Gambia and about the breeding programme that is in place. (If you want to ride the camels, see our Camel Safari Tour). Our next stop will be the traditional fishing village, Ghanatown, where you will see the local fishing boats. You will then visit Bijilo Forest park for a tranquil and shady walk along the trail, seeing monkeys and birds in their natural surroundings. You will return to your hotels at about 5.30pm.
Southern Gambia adventure
Tour price: £29 per person
An Adventure in Southern Gambia which uncovers The Gambian village way of life and allows you to learn a little about traditional Gambian Culture as well as visiting a British charity which is supporting the village of Medina Salaam near the Senegalese border. The day starts with a visit to the Tanji village museum where will we walk the Nature Trial also giving information about The Gambia's Traditions. We then proceed further south onto the charity "Wonder Years" at Medina Salaam. Here we learn of the community and educational projects in place and enjoy a guided tour of the school and project garden with the director of the charity.
We have lunch here of Benechin or domoda before proceeding onto Kartong, Gambia's most southern village. Here we watch locals crossing the river which marks the border with Senegal. Then it's our return journey stopping at the Reptile farm in Gunjur and Tanji Fishing village just as the fisherman return with the days catch.
This can be a bumpy and dusty day but well worth it as it gives us the opportunity to experience a mixture of the real Gambia combining culture and tradition. A fantastic day out with some unscheduled stops on the way.
Crocodiles, crafts culture
Tour price: £29 per person
The day starts with a visit to The Gambia's most densely populated town, Serrekunda, enjoy a drive around the area to get a feel of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We will visit the bustling market before proceeding to the tie-dye and batik factories and watching local craftsmen at work.
An opportunity to also purchase cloths made here. You will then travel to the old colonial town and Gambia's capital city - Banjul . There will be a stop for lunch before touring Banjul. Following the city tour its onto the Sacred Pool at Katchikally and learn about the Gambian music and culture before visiting the crocodiles. You will meet Charlie, the crocodile you can touch and who has appeared on "Wish You Were Here".
You will be told about the locals' beliefs regarding the mystical powers of the waters of this pool and there are a couple of shops where you can buy souvenirs. We then make a stop at the local craft market. Before returning to the hotels we will make a stop at either a local wine maker or a local gin factory where you can make purchases if you so wish.
Three in one day: Abuko, Lamin Lodge and Paradise Beach
Tour price: £28 per person
The day starts with the 30-minutes journey to The Gambia's principle nature reserve, Abuko, where there is an emphasis on the conservation of nature. You will see many species of animals and birds and take a visit to the animal orphanage. There will be time to see the animals, view the surroundings and visit the small café to relax with a cold drink. Then you will take the short, but bumpy, journey to Lamin Lodge. The Lodge is stilted over the creek and is a relaxing and tranquil place with birds and monkeys in abundance. There will be time to explore before enjoying a half hour boat trip in a dug-out canoe from which you will see numerous species of birds, as well as local women collecting oysters from the creek in their tiny canoes. You may then have a drink in the restaurant and watch the monkeys playing happily on the roofs. Then taking back to the road we proceed to the beautiful Paradise Beach in Sanyang, a journey of approx 45 min's.
The beach is wonderfully tranquil with generally calm, gently sloping sea, perfect for swimming unlike at the resort area's. There is ample time this afternoon to relax, sunbath and swim. Lunch is served at the beach bar (additional cost). After a relaxing afternoon on the beach we head back to the resort area passing Tanji fishing village on the way.
Banjul and beyond
Tour price: £24 per person
We start the day traveling to Gambia's capital city - Banjul and proceed directly to the Port where we join the locals and cross from the south bank of the river to the north bank. This is indeed an experience in its self and you will see many sights... After arriving in Barra we proceed on foot to Fort Bullen, built by the British in 1826 to guard the mouth of the river from the slave trade which had been abolished. We undertake a tour of the Fort whilst we hear of its fascinating history. We return on the ferry to Banjul and complete our tour of this capital city before lunch. It's then onto the bustling Albert Market with ample time to experience the many sights, sounds and smells of the market place as well as shopping - testing out your bartering skills. We return to our hotels at approx 6pm.
Animals galore
Tour price: £28 per person
The Day starts with a visit to Kachikally Crocodile Pool, one of three Sacred Pools in The Gambia, where you can stroke Charlie the Crocodile who has appeared in several TV programmes, including "Wish You Were Here". You will then travel twenty kilometres to The Gambia's principle Nature Reserve, Abuko, a little area of jungle in the middle of a savannah. Abuko places equal importance on protection and conservation of nature; there is an animal orphanage as well as monkeys, crocodiles, hyenas, antelopes and many species of birds. There is a small café where you can relax and have a drink. There is plenty of shade at the crocodile pool and the Nature Reserve, making this tour particularly inviting for families as well as couples.
After the Nature Reserve, you will visit a beachside restaurant for lunch (price not included) before traveling to Tanji where you will have the opportunity to see and touch the camels used for the Camel Safari and, if you are lucky, they will perform for you. You will hear how these camels came to be in The Gambia and about the breeding programme that is in place. (If you want to ride the camels, see our Camel Safari Tour). Our next stop will be the traditional fishing village, Ghanatown, where you will see the local fishing boats. You will then visit Bijilo Forest park for a tranquil and shady walk along the trail, seeing monkeys and birds in their natural surroundings. You will return to your hotels at about 5.30pm.
Southern Gambia adventure
Tour price: £29 per person
An Adventure in Southern Gambia which uncovers The Gambian village way of life and allows you to learn a little about traditional Gambian Culture as well as visiting a British charity which is supporting the village of Medina Salaam near the Senegalese border. The day starts with a visit to the Tanji village museum where will we walk the Nature Trial also giving information about The Gambia's Traditions. We then proceed further south onto the charity "Wonder Years" at Medina Salaam. Here we learn of the community and educational projects in place and enjoy a guided tour of the school and project garden with the director of the charity. We have lunch here of Benechin or domoda before proceeding onto Kartong, Gambia's most southern village. Here we watch locals crossing the river which marks the border with Senegal. Then it's our return journey stopping at the Reptile farm in Gunjur and Tanji Fishing village just as the fisherman return with the days catch.
This can be a bumpy and dusty day but well worth it as it gives us the opportunity to experience a mixture of the real Gambia combining culture and tradition. A fantastic day out with some unscheduled stops on the way.
Crocodiles, crafts culture
Tour price: £29 per person The day starts with a visit to The Gambia's most densely populated town, Serrekunda, enjoy a drive around the area to get a feel of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We will visit the bustling market before proceeding to the tie-dye and batik factories and watching local craftsmen at work.
An opportunity to also purchase cloths made here. You will then travel to the old colonial town and Gambia's capital city - Banjul . There will be a stop for lunch before touring Banjul. Following the city tour its onto the Sacred Pool at Katchikally and learn about the Gambian music and culture before visiting the crocodiles. You will meet Charlie, the crocodile you can touch and who has appeared on "Wish You Were Here".
You will be told about the locals' beliefs regarding the mystical powers of the waters of this pool and there are a couple of shops where you can buy souvenirs. We then make a stop at the local craft market. Before returning to the hotels we will make a stop at either a local wine maker or a local gin factory where you can make purchases if you so wish.
Three in one day: Abuko, Lamin Lodge and Paradise Beach
Tour price: £28 per person
The day starts with the 30-minutes journey to The Gambia's principle nature reserve, Abuko, where there is an emphasis on the conservation of nature. You will see many species of animals and birds and take a visit to the animal orphanage. There will be time to see the animals, view the surroundings and visit the small café to relax with a cold drink. Then you will take the short, but bumpy, journey to Lamin Lodge. The Lodge is stilted over the creek and is a relaxing and tranquil place with birds and monkeys in abundance. There will be time to explore before enjoying a half hour boat trip in a dug-out canoe from which you will see numerous species of birds, as well as local women collecting oysters from the creek in their tiny canoes. You may then have a drink in the restaurant and watch the monkeys playing happily on the roofs. Then taking back to the road we proceed to the beautiful Paradise Beach in Sanyang, a journey of approx 45 min's. The beach is wonderfully tranquil with generally calm, gently sloping sea, perfect for swimming unlike at the resort area's. There is ample time this afternoon to relax, sunbath and swim. Lunch is served at the beach bar (additional cost). After a relaxing afternoon on the beach we head back to the resort area passing Tanji fishing village on the way.
Banjul and beyond
Tour price: £24 per person
We start the day traveling to Gambia's capital city - Banjul and proceed directly to the Port where we join the locals and cross from the south bank of the river to the north bank. This is indeed an experience in its self and you will see many sights... After arriving in Barra we proceed on foot to Fort Bullen, built by the British in 1826 to guard the mouth of the river from the slave trade which had been abolished. We undertake a tour of the Fort whilst we hear of its fascinating history. We return on the ferry to Banjul and complete our tour of this capital city before lunch. It's then onto the bustling Albert Market with ample time to experience the many sights, sounds and smells of the market place as well as shopping - testing out your bartering skills. We return to our hotels at approx 6pm. how this holiday makes a difference
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Responsible tourism is our concern, we want to be keeping as many monies in this beautiful country so its economy may benefit. We want to employ as many local people as possible and the numbers will of course grow as we grow and develop. We currently employ 9 local people as drivers, English speaking guides and office staff. They all sign up to a code of conduct to ensure you experience the real Gambia knowing you will not be harassed by our staff, for donations of any kind. This is a huge issue in Gambia and the reported reason that many tourists state they will not return.
By booking your day tours with us your monies are being used to fund these salaries, fund the local mechanics and spare parts for our vehicles. You will travel with the local people on the ferry during the Banjul and beyond tour, eat at a local restaurant and have the opportunity to purchase items from local vendors thus putting monies directly into the local communities where they are most needed. Our tour numbers are small – no more than 10 people, in order to offer you flexibility while ‘out on the road.’ For instance you will not be hoarded on a tight time scale from one place to the other. If there is a celebration going on in a village you are passing through – you will have the opportunity for such impromptu stops. The same applies if seeing local vendors, fruit sellers etc on the road side and you would like to purchase something. Again you will be putting money where it is most needed. On our “South Gambia Adventure” you visit the charity base at Madina Salaam for lunch. We pay this charity directly for your lunch which benefits all they are doing. This also gives you the opportunity to see the charities work first hand; you may wish to consider returning as a volunteer or becoming a fund raiser. We have recently added a rural village visit to our day tours. On this tour all the money you pay (minus expenses) will directly benefit the village which is desperately poor and so needy. There will soon be the opportunity to stay for one or more nights in this village where the money you pay will go into a central village fund to benefit the whole village in purchasing cement to make bricks to build a clinic, to purchase crucial medicines for the village, mosquito nets and to fund a nurse’s salary. We do not include visits to schools and clinics during our day tours as we find by doing this it is the same schools and clinics which benefit from your visit. We prefer that if you wish to make some visits to schools or clinics that we undertake this on an impromptu basis during your tour, in this way, benefits are more wide spread. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |