Join this fabulous 2-day trip, approximately 300kms up-river and experience the 'real country'.
Excursion Day 1
We start early and take the main vehicle ferry link across the River Gambia, a typically African start to the day for many traders. Dolphins can often be spotted during the crossing.
On arrival at Barra, we head east along the north bank of the river and soon take our picnic breakfast in a quiet secluded spot, just off the road. We then continue our journey, stopping at Wassau to explore the area of the mysterious stone circles recognised by UNESCO in their World Heritage list. The area is believed to be an ancient burial site.
We arrive at the Janjangbureh camp in time for lunch. Fabulous species of birds are all around including, kites, rollers, geese, fish eagles, buzzards, hornbills, kingfishers and parrots. The afternoon can be spent exploring the island by canoe, visiting Janjangbureh town, fishing, taking a drumming lesson or simply relaxing. Dinner is served at the camp with cultural groups from nearby villages performing local dances.
Excursion Day 2
Birding enthusiasts can take an optional early morning walk around the accommodation before breakfast. We then leave the camp boarding a West African river boat for a 4 hour cruise through the River Gambia National Park, where sightings of hippos, monkeys and baboons are not unusual. On the way we pass Baboon Island, which houses the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust. We can slow down in this area for possible chimpanzee sightings but cannot stop or land on the island.
Drinks are available at reasonable prices as we continue towards Kuntaur where we meet with our transport and retrace our steps towards the coastal area along the roads.
During the journey there will be a stop at Lumo weekly market, providing we have enough time to make the ferry crossing! At the market you will find everything from livestock, hardware, food, clothes and a colourful display of products. After a short time we continue westwards taking in various villages en route to Barra where we wait for our early evening ferry to cross back to Banjul and on to our hotels.
