The Gambia, a former British Colony, attained political in 1965, one of the smallest countries in Africa, with a total landscape of about 11,000 km square with a population a little bit over a million habitants. The Gambia economy is based on agricultural, followed by tourism and fishing. The education system is identical to that of British. English is the official language. Political stable, Friendly people made it to the safest destination in the continent; the smiling coast is the heaven of Africa. About 90% of the population is Muslim and the rest are Christians and small portions are Animist. The Gambia has a tropical climate, 7 months dry season and 5 months rainy season.
Day 1
Arrival transfer to Djeliba Hotel, Dinner. (25 km, 20 minutes)
Day 2
An introductory half day tour aroun
d the Gambia capital city and the surrounding areas, to familiarize everyone with the main places to visit and which may be returned to later in the day if more time is needed for exploration.
We started the visit to Serrekunda, the biggest and the most densely population town in the Gambia, taking us to a display of TYE en DYE factory after which we head towards Bakau, to the sacred Kachically crocodile pool, where you may be fortunate enough to see Charlie as featured in a British TV documentary.
Then to Banjul where we start the visit to the national Museum, showing the Gambia’s history. We then take a drive through Banjul shopping to visit the local daily market with much hustle and bustle, where anything from live chicken, fish, vegetable, herbs, clothes, shoes, wood carvings etc are sold. Dinner and overnight at Djeliba hotel. (30 km)
Day 3
Depart after breakfast to karting snake farm and from there proceeds to our overnight nature camp for lunch. After lunch, we drive to the fishing village of Tanji, a very colorful and one of the longest fish landing sites in the Gambia, situated on the fringes of the Atlantic coast. You will see the fishermen bringing in the catch of the day. It’s very interesting to see the ladies unloading fish from the fishing boats, and how fish is dried on the tables or smoked in the smoke room. Once fish is dried or smoked, it can stay longer and can be transported to the interior of the country of even exported to land locked countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Some of the fresh fish is straight to the markets where it’s sold for local consumption. Fishing is one of the economic earners in the country. After this visit we drive back to the Halahin Lodge for dinner and overnight. This area of the Gambia is the Kombo West District. (60 km)
Day 4
After breakfast we will depart to Abcas Creek Lodge, situated in the Foni. The major settles in the Foni are Jola. The Jolas are known to be one of the early settlers of the area, and most of the Jolas on the south Bank of the river Gambia have been converted to Islam by Muslim warriors during the time when Muslim scholars were expanding the Muslim religion.
Before the rival of Islam, All the natives of the area were Animist, which is the oldest religion, Jolas are permanent settlers, they mostly settle around paddy or swampy areas where they can cultivate rice which is the stable food. Villages along the river provide good fishermen and women, who use the dugout canoes, to collect oysters from the roots of the mangrove or cockles form the mud banks or the river. Both oysters and cockles is work done by women and collection is done when the river is on low tide. In the later morning we will reach Abcas Creek Lodge. Beautiful birds are there to be spotted. We will make a walk on the nature trail to spot the many different species of birds, and after lunch we take trip into the narrow and beautiful creeks. Dinner and overnight at Abcas Creek Lodge (75 km)
Day 5
From Foni-Kanilia we depart after breakfast to Kiang Tendaba Camp. Kiang has the biggest National Park in the Gambia with animals like Hyenas, Baboons, mangrove, monkey and different species of birds. The main settlers of Kiang are the Mandinka tribe, which is the biggest ethnic group in the Gambia. The Mandinkas are believed to be originated from Mali, the land lock country, east Senegal. The region of Mali in the early days had very strong empire, the Shonhai Empire. Mandinkas were trying to expand their empires, and spread the Muslim religion. Concerning small ethnic groups, they would settle down, rule and teach Islam which form 90% of the Gambia population.
Arriving at Tendaba Camp, we join our jeeps to venture the Kinag west National Park, passing through small villages, and hopefully see some of the above mentioned animals and birds. After lunch we will join a piroque for a trip into the mangroves. Dinner and overnight in Tendaba Camp (70 km)
Day 6
After breakfast we continue our journey to a Soma, where you will experience the local market by Donkey cart. After this visit we will drive passing villages to Sapu, where you find the biggest rice fields in the Gambia. From Sapu you will join a boat for a 3 to 4 hours boat trip to Georgetown. With the possibilities to see hippos crocodiles, baboons, monkey, lots of different birds monitor lizards and turtles. (Lunch on board) .Dinner and overnight in amud hut at Sensending camp in Georgetown. (110 km)
Day 7
After breakfast you go for a tour through Georgetown. Then we will drive to Farafenni and then to the Senegalese border. After border formalities we drive to Kaolack. On the way you will see the salt lakes, preceding your journey to Toubacouta. Dinner and overnight in Senegal, Toubacouta. (280 km)
Day 8
After an early breakfast, we leave for the Fathala Game Park (a 2.000 hectares park) with Rhinos, Bush Pigs, Giant Elans, Buffalows, Antiopes etc. We will go on safari through the park for about 2 hours
After this interesting visit, we return to the Gambia boarder, to join the ferry from Barra to Banjul. You might have the opportunity to see dolphins. Before we say goodbye we will have lunch together and from here on we proceed to either the airport for your flight back home or if you have extended your holiday, to your booked hotel. (40 km)
