Jola Village Culture, History, and River Life
Price: €89 per person | €110 solo traveler
Begin your journey with a scenic drive into rural Gambia before arriving at a traditional Jola village.
Visit the home of a local palm wine tapper and watch him climb a tall palm tree using the traditional Kandabark, an ancestral climbing belt that has been used for generations.
Your local guide will explain how palm wine is collected, together with the many uses and benefits of the palm tree in traditional village life.
Travel through the village on a traditional donkey cart before visiting the family compound of one of the local residents.
Experience everyday village life and listen to traditional village stories told in the local language and translated into English by your guide.
Continue to the village Bantaba, where you'll enjoy a traditional Bougarabou cultural performance.
Watch local women clap, sing, and dance while musicians perform using four traditional Bougarabou drums in a lively celebration of local culture.
Visit the local village school and learn more about education and everyday life for children growing up in rural Gambia.
Visit the village's historic Elephant Tree, an important cultural landmark that served as the ancestral place of worship before the arrival of Islam.
Your guide will explain its historical and cultural significance within the community.
Continue to Kolongding, a historical and cultural forest closely connected to the origins of the village.
Learn about its importance to the local community and the history behind the village's name.
Visit the local oyster production centre to see how women collect oysters from the mangroves using small wooden boats.
Discover how the oysters are processed for local consumption and learn about this important traditional activity.
Enjoy a delicious homemade lunch at Judy's Restaurant, beautifully located at the mouth of the river.
Choose from authentic Gambian dishes including Chicken Yassa, Fish Yassa, and Domoda.
Your meal is served with refreshing local drinks such as Baobab Juice or Wonjo Juice.
Visit a local orange and palm tree farm and learn about another important part of village life.
End your experience with a traditional boat trip to explore the river before returning to your accommodation.
