#Kunta Kinteh Island tour

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Best Unforgettable Travelling Adventures Wait in The Gambia

Regarding travel destinations that promise vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unique wildlife encounters, The Gambia stands out as a hidden gem. Known as the 'Smiling Coast of Africa,' this tiny West African nation packs a punch for unforgettable travel adventures. Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a history enthusiast, or someone looking to unwind on pristine beaches, The Gambia offers something for every traveler. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best adventures waiting for you in The Gambia.

Explore Gambian Excursions – A Gateway to Adventure

Gambian excursions provide visitors with immersive experiences, giving them a chance to connect with local culture, wildlife, and history. From guided wildlife tours to cultural heritage visits, there's no shortage of activities to keep them engaged. Expert guides are available to ensure they don't miss any hidden treasures of this vibrant country.

Birdwatching Paradise in The Gambia

The Gambia is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 560 species recorded in the region. Birdwatching tours are one of the highlights of any trip here, with hotspots such as Lamin Lodge and Abuko Nature Reserve offering perfect vantage points. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful kingfishers, herons, and majestic eagles soaring overhead.

Convenient Tourist Taxi Service

Navigating The Gambia is made easy with Tourist Taxi Services. These services are reliable, affordable, and operated by experienced local drivers who know the region intimately. Whether you're heading to the beaches, nature reserves, or cultural spots, tourist taxis ensure a smooth and safe journey.

SOS Children's Village – A Visit with a Purpose

Visiting the SOS Children's Village is a meaningful experience for travelers interested in giving back to the community. This organization provides education, healthcare, and support to vulnerable children in The Gambia. Visitors can learn about their efforts and even participate in community activities.

School for Disabled Children – Spreading Hope

Another impactful visit is to the School for Disabled Children in The Gambia. Here, children with disabilities can access education and opportunities to build better futures. Supporting or visiting these institutions can leave a lasting impression on your journey.

Paradise Beach Sanyang Gambia – A Slice of Heaven

Paradise Beach in Sanyang is one of The Gambia's most picturesque spots. Its golden sand, turquoise waters, and relaxed vibe make it ideal for sunbathing, swimming, or simply enjoying fresh seafood from beachfront shacks. Sunset at Paradise Beach is an experience you won't want to miss.

Gambia Sightseeing – Discover the Hidden Treasures

From bustling markets to serene landscapes, Gambia sightseeing is a blend of culture and natural beauty. Explore traditional villages, historical monuments, and lively local markets where artisans display handcrafted goods. Each sightseeing adventure reveals a new side of The Gambia.

Cape Point Beach Gambia – A Tranquil Escape

Cape Point Beach offers tranquility away from the crowded tourist spots. Known for its calm waters and clean shores, it's perfect for families and couples seeking a peaceful retreat. You can also indulge in water sports or unwind with a refreshing cocktail by the sea.

Lamin Lodge the Gambia – A Rustic Riverside Experience

Nestled in the mangroves along the Gambia River, Lamin Lodge is a unique wooden structure offering breathtaking views and incredible food. It's a favorite spot for birdwatching enthusiasts and those looking for a peaceful riverside escape.

Kartong Snake Farm – A Unique Wildlife Encounter

The Kartong Snake Farm is a must-visit if you are passionate about reptiles. The farm provides an educational experience about the various snake species found in The Gambia. It's a thrilling yet safe environment to get up close with these fascinating creatures.

Kunta Kinteh Island Tour – Step into History

The Kunta Kinteh Island Tour is an emotional and enlightening experience for history buffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site tells the harrowing yet powerful story of the transatlantic slave trade. Walking through the ruins and learning about the island's significance is a profoundly moving experience.

Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool – Up Close with Nature

The Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool in Bakau offers an extraordinary experience. Visitors can observe and even touch the sacred crocodiles that inhabit the pool. The adjoining museum provides insight into Gambian culture and traditions.

Lazy Day River Trip – Relaxation at its Finest

The Lazy Day River Trip is perfect for those seeking a laid-back adventure. This relaxing boat journey down the Gambia River lets you soak in the serene surroundings, spot wildlife, and enjoy delicious food.

Conclusion: The Gambia Awaits Your Adventure

The Gambia is more than just a travel destination; it's an experience that stays with you long after your visit. From the golden shores of Paradise Beach Sanyang Gambia to the historical depths of Kunta Kinteh Island, every moment in The Gambia is filled with wonder. Whether exploring the wild at Kartong Snake Farm or unwinding on a Lazy Day River Trip, the memories you'll create here will be unforgettable. Pack your bags, embrace the locals' warmth, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime in The Gambia!

[alajengz-blog]

I have always been inspired to visit historical places. By the age of 15, I had already travelled most part of the Gambia. The smallest country in mainland Africa with a total boundary length of 510 miles, 31 miles at its widest point of which of which 50 miles is coastline and a population of 2.1 million. The capital city Banjul is located on the Atlantic coast. The country’s present boundaries were defined in 1889 after an agreement between the United Kingdom and France. It was colonized by the British and gained its independence on 18th of February 1965. The river Gambia which is 700 miles rising in the republic of Guinea flowing west ward across Senegal through the Gambia is joined by numerous creeks called Bolongs which flows in it from the south. The width of the river valley varies considerably along its course. Dense mangrove swamps fringe the lower river for 60 miles inland after which fresh water swamps and salt flats on low-lying stretches alternate with dense clumps of small trees shrubs that line the cliffs. On the higher slopes of the riverbank, swamps and shrubs give place to parkland and tall grass. The wild oil palms grow along the valley bottom. The river abounds in fish and river creatures including crocodiles and hippopotamus. Over 400 different species of birds could be sighted along the river, which runs through the whole length of the Gambia. A field excursion trip was the most exciting event to look forward to going to high school. After years of looking forward to it, my main concern was if my parents would allow me to participate. A deal was made. I had to pass my grade 10th exam with flying colors to earn the trip of my lifetime. The trip fee was paid a week before because my mother wasn’t still convinced regarding safety issues. Her main worry was the ferry crossing we had to encounter, overcrowding and other safety issues. I had done all my chores the night before without been reminded, worried that my mother could change her mind with the slightest error. I refused to pack my regular lunch box, as I preferred to buy food along the way because that what my classmates and me planned on doing. I took a quick shower in the morning, brushed my teeth and put on one of my favorite outfit. I was super excited. It was a bright sunny morning. I was so anxious that I hardly slept. I walked to the street to catch a van heading to Banjul, the capital city, where my high school was located. I was one of the first students to arrive. I remember a white mini bus was waiting for us by the football (soccer field). I couldn’t afford to be late. My history teacher at the time, who was the trip leader, gave us a strict warning that the bus wasn’t going to wait for anybody. I wasn’t taking any chances. I arrived an hour early and had to wait for three hours because we didn’t depart until two hours after our scheduled time of departure. My history teacher was an hour late, which he blamed on transportation issues. There was shortage of gas during that period, the cost of transportation doubled and it had to be a foot race to be able to secure a spot on the few available ones. I was lucky that the trip didn’t get cancelled. We left the school grounds on a Monday morning of February 4th 2002. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the Banjul-Barra ferry terminal. We had to cross the ferry from Banjul to Barra. Barra is a small riverside settlement located on the north bank of the river Gambia. The journey time from the terminal and across the mouth of the river Gambia estuary was supposed to be about 35 minutes and services started from Banjul at 7am and operate until 9 in the evening. The 4.5 miles distance took the hoary ferry about two hours to cross. The ferry was overcrowded about double its normal capacity. Some people chose to use wooden dug out boats to cross the river as an alternative to the ferry because it was faster but the boats were always overcrowded and often sink. The authorities didn’t care because they were only concerned about selling more tickets to generate income, which was never put into good use. At least they could have done proper maintenance on the only surviving ferry they had during the time. There were no standard policies and the people running the ferry ignored safety regulations. I watched as lorries, cars and vans squeezed aboard. Once we entered the departure terminal, there was nothing in the way of refreshments and the toilet facilities had a lot to be desired. I was warned by my mother to keep any personal belongings close as there were pick-pockets who specifically targeted ferry passengers. I was praying the whole time that we made it Barra without sinking. A disaster could have occurred anytime and there was no chance of survival. We were not provided with any life jackets and most of us didn’t know how to swim. There was no information or announcements, so we just had to go with the flow. I decided to go upstairs to the top deck, which had lots of seating. I enjoyed the amazing view of mangroves and a local fishing boat along the river bank. There was always within site of either shore. In November, December and January, it was possible to do a little dolphin spotting as schools of them swim on the bow waves of boats. We made it to Barra and took a 15 minutes break and ended up spending half of my lunch money without considering if we didn’t make it back on time. Upon arrival in Barra, there was a market nearby and I took opportunity to buy some fruits and stock up on bottle water. Our first stop was at the old fort of James Island (renamed Kunta Kinteh island), which is located about 18 miles upstream on the river Gambia. It is home to the ruins which once belonged to colonial Britain. This was the last bit of African soil that many slaves saw before being transported in the bowels of the transatlantic slave ships to the Americas. The island is sadly shrinking due to coastal erosion and has reduced in size to a great extent compared to its hey day as a slave collection point and trading post. The ruins of colonialism and slavery could still be seen. There are caves and prisons on the island where slaves were imprisoned before being shipped off to the American colonies. There are also some cannons standing in their military attack positions. Our tour guide was a descendent of Kunta Kinteh, who the island was renamed after. Kunta Kinteh was a stubborn slave captured in Gambia who inspired the documentary “Roots” by Alex Hailey in the 1980’s who was able to trace his ancestral back to Gambia where he visited before publishing his book. Our tour guide taught us some history about the island. He told us that it was first discovered in 1946 by the German and was later seized by the British in 1661. The British renamed it after king James III. He told us that the island was abandoned for good in the 1830’s after the abolition of the slave trade. There were 3 other historical places on our list but we had to quickly head back to Barra to catch the last ferry to Banjul. Neither were we prepared, nor did we get permission to stay overnight. My history teacher promised to schedule another trip to complete, which never happened TILL THIS DAY.

[thelittlebaobab]

As a kid, I was obsessed by the continent of Africa and remember well the television mini-series Roots, based upon the book by Alex Haley.  A quick look on wikipedia shows that in the spring of 1977, my family would have gathered on Sunday evenings to watch the latest instalment of the drama where Haley traces his family history back more than 200 years to captured slave Kunta Kinteh.  

After all this time in these parts, I’d not yet made the “Roots tour,” a classic excursion offered by all the tour operators in the Gambia. My parents also remembered us watching Roots and had recently seen the 2016 revamped version, so we decided to make the trip ourselves and not really wishing to spend £200+ for all of us to go on one of the tours, we did it ourselves which turned out to be a great adventure – with some typically “accidental African” moments, although of course the slave history of the tour put our minor inconveniences into perspective. 

My friend Allah showed up in his battered taxi and puttered up the highway at about 25 mph, seemingly afraid it would fall to pieces if he went any faster. In the event, it seems he was right. By the time we reached Tanji something was making odd noises, there was a “crack” and I felt something bang against the undercarriage beneath my feet. Allah conceded defeat and sold us onto another taxi who took us up to Banjul without problem. 

Banjul to Barra is a 45 minute or so crossing where river meets sea.

We hopped aboard the Barra ferry – I considered the pirogues momentarily and Dad seemed game, but I couldn’t quite imagine my mother being carried aboard up on some blokes shoulders. 

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Descending into the chaos on the north bank, we were offered many taxis, so chose one and followed the driver through a maze of market alleys into a congested garage filled with geli-geli’s and taxis, probably not one of which would be roadworthy anywhere in Europe.

After negotiations, we set off, first along a paved road, before turning south onto a dirt road that winds its way 30 km or so to Juffureh and Albreda, the “Roots villages” that merge together. We bumped our way along the potholed dirt road, through shimmering salt pans, bleached out tropical landscapes and through dusty villages of cement and corrugate houses full of kids screaming “toubab.” The air blew through the taxi like a hot hair dryer. 

Aside from a large monument, the village looked much like any other in the country.

 There was certainly no sign of any wealth generated over the years by Roots tourism.  The book, Roots, spent 22 weeks at the top of the New York Times best seller list and earned it’s author the Pulitzer prize. The tv series was nominated for 37 Emmy awards and attracted 130 million viewers in the US alone. The villages are visited by a high percentage of tourists to the country and almost all Americans with African ancestry. 

It later transpired that Haley had mixed fact with fiction in the book, plagiarised some sections and fabricated the links between himself and Kunta Kinteh. But, as the original author of the Gambia Bradt guide, Philip Briggs states: “there is no denying the deep symbolic truth underlying the Roots saga, nor the horrific trade in human lives that formed its inspiration. 

After downing some water and a snack, we jumped aboard a pirogue and traveled 3km to Kunta Kinteh (formally James) Island, the site of a fort built by Latvians and then run by the British who fought off various  takeover bids by the French and some Welsh pirates. 

The island, suffering from sea erosion, is almost entirely covered by the fort, the ruins of which appear to be held together by the bulbous roots of the many baobab trees. 

A guide recounted the history, explaining a tiny airless room that was sweltering, would hold up to 140 slaves who’d be fed through a tiny window, leading to fights over the rations. 

The fort was the main staging post in the region for captured slaves who were transported here and then on to Goree near Dakar before going to the New World. Those deemed to weak were simply tossed in the river.

Upon return to mainland, we visited the small museum and then the others sat under the bantaba whilst I went to the house of the Kinteh family with a local guide. 

The museum

We passed several compounds and wound along the sandy alleys before reaching the Kinteh one – no different to the rest. The next bit perplexed me somewhat. I’d read numerous accounts of the tourist trap this place has become – everyone claiming to be a descendant of Kunta Kinteh, demanding money and so on but I got none of that. The Kinteh family seemed surprised to see me and bewildered as to why I was there – perhaps they’re only used to large tourist groups. One of the younger women suggested I take her away and marry her which I hadn’t expected. Was I in the right place? Seemingly yes – there were some laminated newspaper articles dotted around. Eventually I got the information I needed for the guidebook and then left them to get on with their day, feeling a bit of an intruder.

I also had to gather some information about some of the guesthouses. One of them was rather odd – the manager seemed very suspicious when I asked the room price and demanded to see his entry in the first edition. As I showed him, I read over his shoulder and noticed it mentioned the paranoid management style  and how the menu wasn’t available to guidebook writers for security reasons. Oops, this might not help me get the info I needed… but the guy seemed happy with the entry and then told me everything I needed to kno – except for what’s on the menu. But then I doubt it differs from the hundreds of other similar places around the country. 

It would have been nice at this point to get on a boat and sail back to Banjul. Instead we had an hour or two of bumping back the way we had come and then another ferry crossing. If that had been the case, life would be easy. Halfway back there was a banging sound and we lurched to a stop. This had happened:

No problem – we could just tie it back on!

But no, we weren’t going to get back in this car and the driver called his friend to come and pick us up.

That meant an hour or so’s wait – the local kids came out and these two little baobabs stayed cheerful:

We finally got back to Barra as the sun was setting and to our next hotel, Radio Syd, quite late that evening. I later discovered my wallet, complete with five credit cards, but thankfully little money, had been pick pocketed from a zipped hidden pocket. Just when I thought I was streetwise to Africa.

That meant an hour or so’s wait and we finally got back to Barra as the sun was setting and to our next hotel, Radio Syd, quite late that evening. I later discovered my wallet, complete with five credit cards, but thankfully little money, had been pick pocketed from a zipped hidden pocket. Just when I thought I was streetwise to Africa.

Radio Syd was an unusual but friendly little place on a wide open beach just outside of Banjul city. It had started life as a pirate radio station run by a Swedish couple who were still there and had cooked dinner for us. When the radio mast had collapsed, they decided to close the radio, given there was now plenty of Gambian stations, and turned it into the guesthouse. The lady, Connie, now in her seventies, showed us picture of her with a young Mick Jagger and then told tales of life in Banjul in the early seventies. She was personal friends with Jawara, the first president, with Bertil Harding (the guy who’d introduced tourism to the Gambia and after whom one of the highways is named) and Alex Haley who’d openly told her that he’d made half of Roots up. 

  Roots #Gambia #roots #alexhaley As a kid, I was obsessed by the continent of Africa and remember well the television mini-series Roots, based upon the book by Alex Haley.