Ready for some excitement? There’s a lot to do and see in The Gambia. Look at our recommended travel activities and attractions in The Gambia to get the most out of your time there. Check out the list of the best things to do in The Gambia and places to go in The Gambia below. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3.0 startup in the tourism industry that aims to disrupt the industry by utilizing Web 3.0 technologies.
Table Of Content
- Abuko Nature Reserve
- Albert Market
- Arch 22
- Banjul
- Bijilo Forest Park
- Brikama Craft Market
- Brufut Beach
- Gambia River
- Gambia National Museum
- Janjanbureh
- Kachikally Crocodile Pool
- Kiang West National Park
- Kunta Kinteh Island
- Kotu Beach
- Makasutu Culture Forest
- Old Town
- River Gambia National Park
- Sanyang Village and Beach
- Senegambian stone circles
- Tanji
- Explore Africa
Abuko Nature Reserve
Be one with the wild at the Abuko Nature Reserve.
The Abuko Nature Reserve in the Gambia is great for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Lamin stream flows through the area, and the 5 km of pathways make it a great getaway from the beach.
The Gambia’s first nature reserve, Abuko Nature Reserve, was established in the early 20th century to safeguard a water source for neighboring villages.
This region is rich in Gambian wildlife and is currently the most visited tourist destination in the country — with over 33,000 tourists per year.
Three primate species, galagos, porcupines, antelope, African palm civets, and more than 300 bird species, may be found in this 260-acre reserve.
Visitors may also see crocodiles, termite mounds, patas, and vervet monks along the well-marked pathways.
Arrive early or late in the afternoon to get the most out of your time at Abuko Nature Reserve and view various birds and wildlife.
Visit Abuko Nature Reserve today because it’s what you deserve.
Address: Brikama Hwy, Lamin, Gambia
Albert Market
Everywhere you walk in a market, you’ll be able to discover something fascinating to look at or buy.
Located in Banjul, The Gambia, the Albert Market, named after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, is an exciting destination to see during a trip to the country.
It’s just another one of the many marketplaces strewn along the shore that cater to tourists to The Gambia, offering clothing, jewelry, and handicrafts.
You may converse with the vendors and bargain over a few souvenirs.
The produce market, which sells fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, is something others find pretty intriguing.
Everything from smoked fish to dried hibiscus blossoms to make wonjo juice to peanuts mixed into a sauce to huge slabs of beef may be found here.
To add, always get someone’s permission before snapping their picture.
Many will object, and those who do should expect a price. So be careful.
Find out more about shopping in The Gambia by visiting this place.
Address: Portuguese Town, Banjul, Gambia
Arch 22
Journey through time to the historical landmark of Banjul.
Arch 22 commemorates the Islamic Republic of The Gambia’s capital city, Banjul, with a unique entryway.
Pierre Goudiaby, a Senegalese architect, was responsible for its design, which looms above the northeastern end of Independence Drive.
Located in Gambia’s capital city of Banjul, this Arch commemorated the military coup d’etat in 1994.
When the democratically elected leader was overthrown, Yahya Jammeh became the President of The Gambia.
In addition, there is a statue called The “unknown soldier,” which carries a baby and flashes a V for victory, standing in front of the Arch.
Ascending spiral stairs take visitors to the observation deck on the seventh level, where they may gaze out over Banjul.
This vantage point may appreciate more of the city’s unique setting on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the River Gambia.
Visit Arch 22 as soon as possible!
Address: Banjul, Gambia
Banjul
Do you want to go somewhere that isn’t as well-known?
The Gambia’s capital city is Banjul. As a port city, it may be found on the island of Saint Mary.
For a long time, Banjul was known as Bathurst after Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs Lord Bathurst.
Many tourists don’t give Banjul a second glance for any reason.
Nevertheless, the city’s bustling harbor, colonial architecture, urban market, and rich history make visiting and staying visitors desirable.
Banjul’s intercontinental port and the city market are busy with stallholders and customers negotiating over fish, fruit, and textiles.
Take in the bustle of the commercial sector as street hawkers from Senegal and Guinea sell their goods among the ancient colonial trade houses’ throngs of shopkeepers and patrons.
Be on the look for traditional kirintinghouses constructed of bamboo initially owned by the island’s impoverished farmers.
Make the most of your time in Banjul!
Address: Banjul, Gambia
Bijilo Forest Park
It’s time to stop monkeying around and check out this awesome place!
The Gambia’s Bijilo Forest Park, or “Monkey Park,” as it’s more frequently known, is a popular destination for tourists.
It is just 11 kilometers from Banjul, the capital of Gambia.
On Senegambia Beach, the Bijilo Forest Park & Nature Trail was built in 1951.
Tourism and education alike benefit from its presence.
It is home to two types of monkeys: the pleasant and curious Green Vervet Monkeys, and the Western Red Colobus Monkey, an endangered species.
Bee-eaters, osprey, and francolins are just a few of the park’s more than 100 bird species.
Tourists should be cautious against feeding the monkeys since they may be cheeky!
The paths here are well-maintained and lead you through a gallery forest, grass, and low vegetation as you make your way toward the dunes.
Everyone who comes here seems to think of it as a beautiful place that they can’t stop talking about.
Take a look around!
Address: Serrekunda, Gambia
Brikama Craft Market
When you shop at Brikama Craft Market, you will be able to connect with the local culture.
Brikama’s market was built in the early twentieth century and moved to its current position on the road in 2007.
It’s also worth noting that there are more than a hundred artists and crafters in the local area, represented by 57 craft booths.
You can buy some of their masterpiece and other goods at the booths, which were made by hand.
All kinds of interesting things could be bought there: painted calabashes and different types of masks, as well as drums and other woodwork offered for very low prices.
It’s well worth observing local carvers at work and presenting their wares for sale.
If you see anything you like, always negotiate, and you’ll get it for half the asking price or less.
Seeing what these people are capable of and the quality they produce is mind-boggling.
Get a chance to view a wider variety of goods at Brikama Craft Market today!
Address: Brikama marketing Brikama, Banjul, Gambia
Brufut Beach
There aren’t many people around here, isn’t that great!?
The Brufut resort and village are located in the Kombo South District and the Atlantic Ocean.
A 23-mile drive from Banjul, the beach is made of beautiful sand and has plenty of room for relaxation.
Brufut’s is rather expansive, with golden sands in the beach area.
Although the sea is harsh for swimming, the tree-studded tiny cliffs make a beautiful backdrop.
To get to the beach, you’ll have to scale down the cliffs, which are steep at times.
Once you’ve arrived and claimed your spot, you’ll see fishermen sparring fish, fixing nets, and waiting for a change in the tide to take them back out on the water again.
Aside from sunbathing and water activities, the beach is ideal for walking along the sand and cycling.
You can also visit Savannah-Mentoring, a sacred pilgrimage place for Gambian Muslims wishing for a blessing, just a few miles away.
Spead a relaxing beach life at Brufut resort.
Address: Brufut Beach, The Gambia
Gambia River
Row, row, row your boat gently down the Gambia River. Merrily, merrily, merrily, traveling is like a dream.
Many tourists come to the Gambia with the express purpose of sailing along the River Gambia.
A boat ride on the Gambia River is a must-do activity while visiting the area.
The River Gambia is renowned for its navigability and year-round pleasure.
Visitors may take advantage of daily river cruises, visits to picturesque riverbank towns, bird viewing, and other exhilarating adventure activities.
Whether you want to get somewhere, traveling the River Gambia in an outboard motorboat is an unforgettable experience.
You may rent a pirogue and set out upstream on a river in minutes.
In particular, fishing near mangroves, home to many fish and other wildlife, is a must-see.
Relax on the deck of a boat and take in the sights as you cruise along the River Gambia.
Experience passing by the beautiful tributaries and picturesque settlements.
If you come at the right time of year, you may be able to see a local wrestling match or horse and camel riding.
Row your way here to the Gambia River.
Address: Gambia River, Gambia
Gambia National Museum
You may travel across Gambian history and discover what’s been kept secret.
The Gambia National Museum is housed in the old Bathurst Club, a colonial-era structure from the 1920s that was only open to European residents.
Currently, the Gambia National Museum’s three floors of displays cover the country’s history.
From its earliest settlements, through slavery and colonial control, to its current state.
It is a museum for historical artifacts and exhibits related to Gambia’s past in 1970.
The monuments and Remembrance Act of 1974 paved the way for a National Museum to be built.
The museum’s principal objective is to collect and preserve items documenting the material culture of The Gambia.
And educate tourists and locals who may not be familiar with Gambian history.
You can also discover the history of the Super Eagles and the significance of a masquerade at the Gambia National Museum.
As a bonus, there is a small kiosk at the museum’s main entrance where visitors can purchase gifts.
Retrace the step of the past at Gambia National Museum today.
Address: Banjul, Gambia
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Janjanbureh
Are you interested in seeing some birds? You’re invited to visit Janjangbureh!
Janjangbureh, a historic colonial administrative center on MacCarthy Island in the Gambia River, is another name for Georgetown.
The former Commissioner’s Quarter may be found if you stroll about town.
Janjanbureh has a few historic structures scattered around it.
The most famous are two derelict waterfront warehouses, stay local oral history c, and have slave-trade associations.
Most of the lodging options in Janjanbureh are eco-friendly jungle lodges or simple guesthouses.
Most of these establishments can be located on or near the banks of the River Gambia.
Although this town has minimal tourist infrastructure, it may make it more or less appealing depending on the vacation.
However, birdwatching is the most popular reason to visit Janjangbureh.
Travel outside the city, stay at a lodge or resort, and spend a few days with the region’s distinctive birds.
Pay a visit to Janjanbureh soon!
Address: Janjanbureh, The Gambia
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
You’re going to love this place because it will CROC your world.
Located at Bakau, about 10 miles from the capital Banjul, lies the Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
The Gambia’s most famous tourist destination is a sacred site for the natives.
Fertility is closely associated with crocodiles in the Gambia.
Thus, women who have trouble becoming pregnant regularly visit this sacred site for ritual purification and blessings.
About 80 crocodiles live in the pool; a dozen are normally visible when you first enter the facility.
In addition, several Nile crocodiles may be seen sunbathing on the bank of the neighboring nature walk.
Many are kind enough to pet the crocodile if you’re brave enough.
Don’t miss the little museum with traditional costumes, jujus (magical amulets that protect users from harm), drums, and other cultural artifacts.
Also included in the facility are a nature path, gift shop, bar, and a parking lot in front of the building.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get close to a crocodile at Kachikally Crocodile Pool!
Address: Bakau, Gambia
Kiang West National Park
Learn about nature, appreciate nature, and spend as much time as possible. It’ll never let you down.
Kiang West National Park was established as a national park in 1987 and is one of the country’s largest and most significant wildlife reserves.
The Gambia Department of Parks maintains Kiang West National Park.
It has an area of 19,526 hectares and is controlled by the Gambia Department of Parks and Wildlife Management.
It is located on the south bank of the Gambia River in the Lower River Division of the Kiang West District.
Guinean savanna and dry deciduous forest are the vegetation types in the park.
Because of the diverse topography and vegetation, it is an excellent habitat for various animals and bird species.
The park’s animals include the common warthog, duiker, spotted hyena, leopard, sitatunga, marsh mongoose, serval, and the critically endangered West African manatee.
In addition, Bell’s hinged tortoise, The African python, the West African crocodile, and the black-necked spitting cobra are among the reptiles found in the park.
Be friends with the wild at Kiang West National Park.
Address: Kiang West National Park, The Gambia
Kunta Kinteh Island
To understand more about slavery in the Gambia, you must visit this island.
Many tourists come to Kunta Kinte Island (James Island), located near the mouth of the River Gambia.
Since it played a crucial part in the transatlantic slave trade, the island of Kunta Kinte was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
Slave-era relics, such as outlines, gun batteries, and prisons, may be seen among the old baobab trees and in an enchanting setting.
For centuries, the island’s strategic location in a river made it ideal for exerting control over the waterway.
The fort was built in 1456 when the Portuguese took over the island.
Throughout the 15th-19th centuries, this island and its surrounding areas have preserved an incredible record of African and European encounters.
Most Africans and diaspora members travel to this historical landmark as a spiritual renewal. S
till it also serves as a financial boon to the neighborhood and beyond.
Discover more on Kunta Kinteh Island.
Address: North Bank Division, The Gambia
Kotu Beach
You have never been so SHORE by taking a break at Kotu Beach.
Gambia’s Kotu Beach is a must-visit for any vacationers passing through.
Kotu Beach is home to world-class beaches, bars, marketplaces, and some of the world’s most luxurious hotels on Gambia’s Atlantic coast.
Tourists flock to the beach because of its various conveniences, making it a great place to stop and view.
Although the sand in the Kotu beach region is of high quality and sandy, it has a decent amount of breadth to the water’s edge.
It’s also a great place to check out its scuba diving options.
While surfing a flat beach break, many erratic waves form quickly.
On the beach, some lifeguards have elevated lookout stations.
It is important to be aware of the present swimming conditions and the warning flags displayed.
Check out the Kotu beach on your next trip to The Gambia.
Address: Kotu, The Gambia
Makasutu Culture Forest
Allow yourself to be seduced by the forest’s natural beauty and magic.
The Gambia’s many landscapes are captured in Makasutu Culture Forest.
Makasutu, which means “sacred forest” in Mandinka, was founded by James and Lawrence to learn about the region’s nature and its inhabitants.
Makasutu is a 1,000-acre tropical reserve that protects five distinct ecosystems: wetland, gallery forest, palm forest, savannah, and mangroves.
Birds, monitor lizards, vervet and red colobus monkeys, baboons, and the occasional crocodile may be seen in plenty on the river banks. Even the occasional mongoose can be found.
The place offers mangrove tours, guided walks, visits to a crafts center, and displays of traditional dancing included in a full day in the forest.
They have a well-organized and well-trained staff that runs the tours.
This is an excellent option if you want to escape the beach but don’t want to deal with the hassle of going inland.
Drive your way to Makasutu Culture Forest today!
Address: Bafuloto, Gambia
Old Town
You are never too old for this old town.
Head west from the Banjul ferry terminal on Ma Cumba Jallow Street, which is large and welcoming.
You’ll discover a cluttered collection of deteriorating colonial structures and traditional Krio-style clapboard houses.
There are still some examples of 19th-century architecture in so-called Krio- or Aku-style houses.
Which are similar to the adaptations of early Victorian architecture seen in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and are still standing.
Because many of them still belong to families that immigrated to Banjul from the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown as early as the 1820s.
It is no accident that they have architecture resembling Freetown’s inner-city architecture.
But, to be honest, the entire town appears to be in disarray and disrepair.
The buildings are shabby and either falling apart or half-built.
The streets are unpaved and filthy, and it’s a general disaster.
Take a stroll through this beautiful portion of the city and take in the wealth of history.
Address: Old Town, The Gambia
River Gambia National Park
We have all been there: in awe. There were a few like this one.
Locals and tourists go to the River Gambia National Park, a famous tourist destination.
The Niamina East area of the Central River Division is home to River Gambia National Park, established in 1978.
An archipelago is also known as the Baboon Islands, consisting of one large island and four smaller islands. The Baboon Islands archipelago is also included in the park.
The park provides a haven for the Gambia’s critically endangered hippopotamus population.
A Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project offers two-night stays at its camp on the mainland to people who are lucky enough and on a tourist trip there.
In addition, more than a dozen other kinds of lovely birds may be seen in this area.
The River Gambia National Park is home to various species, including hippos, crocodiles, green monkeys, and red colobus monkeys.
Explore more at River Gambia National Park.
Address: Banjul, Gambia
Sanyang Village and Beach
Tiptoe your way to the sleepy beach village.
It is a peaceful coastal community of around 7,000 inhabitants. Most of them are Wolof, Mandinka, Fula, and Jola tribes.
Sangyang Beach, which comprises the beaches of Paradise, Osprey, and Pelican, is often regarded as having the best beach in all of The Gambia.
It was a popular destination even before the tourist route found its way there.
It has a lengthy stretch of secluded shoreline bordered by mangroves and lagoons.
This location is ideal for individuals who wish to escape crowds.
The primary source of income is fishing, and as a result, the community has a magnificent fish Developingay watch people and mingle with the locals while you’re this bonus is various shaded trails for wildlife treks across the area.
At Sangyang Beach, immerse yourself in serenity and calmness today.
Address: Sanyang, Gambia
Senegambian stone circles
Discover the truth behind the Senegambian stone circles’ mysterious beginnings.
Throughout human history, people have always been drawn to building monumental structures.
By developing anything that’s the largest, tallest, or longest globally, it’s generally possible to achieve this.
For example, consider the Senegalese Stone Circles. The stones that make up these circles are up to 7 tons each and stand up to 2 meters.
Even while these Senegambian Stone Circles aren’t as large as England’s Stonehenge, they have the amazing attribute of being stretched out over a 100-kilometer broad and 350-kilometer long territory.
The Senegambia Stone Circles are the world’s greatest collection of megalithic structures.
It’s estimated that 28,931 monoliths and 1,053 Stone rings are scattered over the landscape.
The stone circles may be found in Senegal and Gambia, respectively.
Their high level of craftsmanship is indicative of long-established stonemason traditions.
Burial mounds are the only places where you’ll find a circle.
When and why they were built are still up for discussion.
Try to uncover the mystery in the Senegambian stone circles today!
Address: The Gambia & Senegal
Tanji
Here in Tanji, there is so much to see.
The Gambian coast is lined with fishing villages. Town Tanji is the busiest and most popular place to visit.
Tanji Village, also known as Tanji Fishing Village, is located in the Kombo South District, West Coast Region.
On the beach, it’s impossible to swim, but it’s a great place to see the people around you in action.
Enjoy the fish market and the fish-smoking center smack in the middle of it all.
Tourists may learn about Gambian culture and customs at the Tanji Village Museum.
The Tanji River Bird Reserve, a six-square-mile area of savannah habitats and maritime marsh along the river, is a must for birdwatchers.
More than 300 birds, including 34 raptors, are in this area.
The red colobus, green monkeys, red colobus, and hyenas are also likely to be found.
Be sure to visit the Bijol Islands, home to over 20,000 birds, seals, and whales that have been seen on occasion.
Come your way to Tanji today!
Are you still on the fence about visiting The Gambia? Visit why visit The Gambia at least once in your lifetime here.
Address: The Gambia
