11-Day Gambia Cultural Tour with River Cruises and Georgetown

• Arrive at Banjul International Airport and transfer to Rocheight Lodge Hotel.

Meal included in the cost - Breakfast

• Visit the popular Kachikally Crocodile Pool and Museum in Bakau. Dip in the pool water to enable your wishes to come true and encounter hundreds of crocodiles that reside there.
• Then, go to Bijilo Forest Park in the Kololi area, home to several bird species and three monkey species, and head to the local batik factory in Serre Kunda to experience and learn how batik is made.
• Next, proceed to Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia, situated on an island called Saint Mary's Island and founded in the 19th century. See the Arch Monument, which provides a fabulous panoramic view of the city, and then explore the National Museum for Arts and Culture as well as the Royal Albert Market, where many residents in Banjul do their daily shopping.
• Afterwards, head off for relaxation and lunch at Alibaba Restaurant or a similar venue.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast and Lunch

• Arrive at Makasutu Culture Forest to engage in activities such as climbing the tower and taking a boat trip along the Mandina Bolong to see the birds, oyster collectors, and fishermen casting their nets, as well as walking in the forest.
• See baboons, meet the holy marabou fortune teller, and proceed to the jungle bar to meet the palm wine tapper, sample fresh palm wine, and learn how to climb the palm tree.
• After having a delicious buffet lunch, enjoy drumming entertainment by the locals or go shopping at the gallery shops.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast and Lunch

• Visit the popular Serre Kunda Market to experience daily local market life.
• Then, head to Abuko Nature Reserve to discover wildlife, birds, and trees.
• Go down to Lamin Lodge Riverside to see the local oyster factory and learn how locals harvest oysters and recycle the shells for other uses.
• Have a canoe boat ride in the mangroves to see birds and oyster collectors.
• Afterwards, proceed to Brikama craft market stalls and the animal market along the way. Take a stop at a rural school and learn about the prevailing educational challenges in The Gambia.
• Arrive at Paradise Beach for relaxation or a swim, and have lunch.
• Later, move to Tanji Fishing Harbour, the biggest fish market in The Gambia.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast and Lunch

• Drive to Denton Bridge Riverside to join the cruise boat and sail along the River Gambia to the north bank.
• Upon arrival in Juffureh village, a guided tour will be conducted to visit the slave statues and the Museum of Slavery.
• Meet the lady chief of Juffureh and other descendants of Kunta Kinteh and Alex Haley.
• Enjoy a canoe boat ride to explore the ruins of Fort James Island, where enslaved people were imprisoned.
• Next, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board. On the return journey, hopefully see the dolphins that often play at the side of the boat.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast and Lunch

• Visit the capital city of The Gambia, Banjul, to join the local ferry for an hour-long crossing of the River Gambia to the north bank.
• Upon arrival in Barra, follow the north bank, making a market stop in Farafenni for drinks and lunch.
• Then, head to Wassu to see the mysterious stone circles and ancient burial grounds, and learn what is known about them.
• Next, proceed to Kuntaur for a boat ride at River Gambia National Park to look for hippos, chimpanzees, crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and other wildlife that reside in the reserve.
• Afterwards, drive to Lamin Koto for another small ferry crossing to Georgetown. Overnight accommodation and dinner are at Baobolong Riverside Camp in Georgetown, locally known as Janjangbureh.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Explore Georgetown, taking in the sights and discovering what was once The Gambia's first colonial capital city.
• Visit the Freedom Tree Monument, the ruins of the colonial building structures, the underground slave station, and the British cannon facing the mouth of the river.
• Later, head to the Upper River Region and explore Alunhari, a typical Sarahule village in Basse Santasu known for pottery.
• Have a stop at one of the families to see how pottery is made in Alunhari.
• Then, travel across Basse town, one of the largest commercial cities in The Gambia, for relaxation and lunch. Overnight accommodation and dinner are at Kairakonko Lodge in Soma, a busy commercial town on the south bank.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Arrive at Tendaba Camp, spend a relaxing day at the camp, and go for a swim in the swimming pool.
• After lunch, set off for an evening boat cruise along the River Gambia to spot the birds going to roost in large numbers. With luck, spot rare species on the return journey such as the pink-backed pelican, Egyptian plover, white egret, reef heron, giant kingfisher, pied kingfisher, woodland kingfisher, and snake bird. Overnight accommodation and dinner are at Tendaba Camp Restaurant.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Relax at the Paradise beachfront. Overnight accommodation and dinner are at Rocheight Lodge Hotel or a similar property.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast and Dinner

• Enjoy boating on the River Gambia and witness splendid natural sights. Experience The Gambia's natural resources, focus your time on finding different species of birds, have some rest, and chill out.
• Swim in the crystal waters or spend some relaxing time on the boat; after all, you are on holiday.
• In the afternoon, have a delicious buffet lunch with tea, coffee, biscuits, and refreshments, all included.
• Then, cool off with a swim and admire the beautiful scenery while sailing through the backwaters. Overnight accommodation and dinner are at Rocheight Lodge or a similar property.

Meals included in the cost - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Relax at the hotel and later transfer to the airport as per your flight schedule.

Meal included in the cost - Breakfast