The Gambia is truly a unique holiday destination and there are plenty of excursions and experiences to do during your holiday to make the most of this wonderful destination.
Gambian culture is like no other. Known for their welcoming smiles and friendly personalities, Gambian people will undoubtedly make your holiday special, from unique experiences in the jungle to amazing music and dancing during dinner or simply a conversation in the street! The Gambia has so much to offer, you will certainly want to experience as much of it as possible – here are our expert's top five experiences.
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The Gambia is known amongst birdwatching enthusiasts for its array of fascinating species, and this excursion gives you the chance to witness the various types of birds in a wonderful setting. Departing first thing in the morning, you will step onto a dug-out paddle canoe to begin your adventure. With your guide, peacefully float down the river, the sounds of the dawn chorus awakening you. Spot the mangroves where the oysters grow, clinging to their roots (a popular spot for local women to harvest them to sell at the market) and take your time to spot the amazing birds that call The Gambia home. After approximately an hour and a half of cruising through the creeks, you will stop at a clearing for some refreshments and sandwiches. This excursion also includes a 45-minute walk through the forest to further spot birdlife, once you have finished your walk, you’ll hop back onto the canoe for a leisurely paddle back to Tanji Creek at around 11am.
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Delve into Gambian culture and learn how to cook Gambian style. After donning traditional dress, visit the local market in Tanji with Ida, to source your ingredients. You will then learn how to cook in Ida’s own home. Once you have cooked up your feast you will gather around to enjoy the meal with Ida’s family, followed by tea and conversation, getting to know more about Ida and her country. This excursion has a maximum group size of 10, so you will have a fantastic personal experience.
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This excursion is perfect for those who want to get a taste of The Gambia but want to make the most of their hotel’s fantastic facilities and beach too! This one-day tour squeezes six great highlights into its itinerary, starting with Kachikally Crocodile Pool, then a visit to the vibrant Serrekunda market where local vendors sell their goods. After the busy market, you’ll have the chance to cool down at Lamin Lodge with a refreshing drink. This is followed by lunch along the shore of Paradise Beach, perhaps you’ll be tempted by a swim or a chance to soak up the sun after this? The day ends at Tanji Fishing Village, where you will watch local fishermen bringing in their daily catch, manoeuvring equipment, selling, haggling, and even smoking fish. This is a bustling environment and a very entertaining way to end the day, before heading back to your hotel.
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The perfect way to relax, spend the day aboard this 60ft modern Gambian-style river pirogue. Leaving Denton Bridge and cruising along the oyster creeks, you will feel the breeze, soak up the sounds of Gambian birdlife, and witness local fishermen casting their nets (‘jallo’) or the oyster ladies in their dug-out canoes. You will get the opportunity to witness aquatic birdlife before the boat is anchored allowing you to have a dip and cool off before a buffet lunch is served. In the afternoon, you will be provided with rods to try your hand at fishing, or simply relax before afternoon tea and biscuits are served! There is also a reasonably priced bar on board, to enjoy a refreshing drink during your cruise.
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The Gambia’s neighbour, Senegal is home to Fathala Wildlife Reserve, a magnificent place, packed with amazing wildlife. This day trip takes you on a drive to the tiny capital of The Gambia, Banjul where you will catch the ferry crossing over to Barra - this is an experience, making the journey much more than just a journey! You will meet with your driver and 4WD truck and head through the border to your destination. Once in the park, you will be introduced to your ranger before setting out on a memorable game drive; you could see many species from rhinos and giraffes to zebra and buffalo and much more! After what we hope is a successful trip with many animals spotted, you will then have lunch in the park, to refresh you for your journey home.
