Must-see attractions in The Gambia

  • Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus).

    Abuko Nature Reserve

    The Gambia

    Abuko is rare among African wildlife reserves: it's tiny, it's easy to reach and you don't need a car to go in. With amazing diversity of vegetation and…

  • Wide Open Walls

    The Gambia

    Two huge ibex grazing amid swirling waves, a blue tattooed lion, and a lovestruck blacksmith are just a few of the striking images awaiting visitors who…

  • Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project

    The Gambia

    This project forms the beating heart of River Gambia National Park. Comprised of so-called Baboon Island and several smaller islands, this is one of the…

  • Bijilo Forest Park

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This small 51-hectare reserve makes for a lovely escape. A series of well-maintained walking trails (ranging from 900m to 1400m) takes you through lush…

  • Kachikally Crocodile Pool

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    One of The Gambia's most popular tourist attractions is a sacred site for locals. As crocodiles represent the power of fertility in Gambia, women who…

  • Makasutu Culture Forest

    The Gambia

    Like a snapshot of The Gambia, Makasutu Culture Forest bundles the country's array of landscapes into a dazzling 1000-hectare package. The setting is…

  • Wassu Stone Circles

    The Gambia

    Archaeologists believe the Wassu stone circles are burial sites constructed about 1200 years ago. Each stone weighs several tonnes and is between 1m (3…

  • Tanji Fish Market

    The Gambia

    Colourful pirogues roll in the waves, women ferry fish elegantly to shore atop their heads, and crowds swarm the beachfront at this charismatic fish…

  • Traditional hand made fabric souvenir dolls, Albert Market, Banjul, Gambia

    Albert Market

    Banjul

    Since its founding in the mid-19th century, the Albert Market, an area of frenzied buying, bartering and bargaining, has been Banjul's main hub of…

  • Fort James

    The Gambia

    Fort James was an important British colonial trading post from 1661 and the departure point of vessels packed with ivory and gold, as well as slave ships…

  • Old Town

    Banjul

    West from the ferry terminal towards the wide Ma Cumba Jallow St (Dobson St) is a chaotic assembly of decrepit colonial buildings and Krio-style clapboard…

  • Tunbung Arts Village

    The Gambia

    Quirky and wonderful, Tunbung Arts Village is a ragged assembly of skewed huts, wildly painted walls and random sculptures that peer out behind walls and…

  • Tanji Village Museum

    The Gambia

    This fascinating cultural museum presents Gambian nature and life scenes by recreating a traditional Mandinka village, where you can peer into huts and…

  • Tanji River Bird Reserve

    The Gambia

    The Tanji River Bird Reserve is an area of dunes, lagoons and woodland, and contains Bijol Island, a protected breeding ground for Caspian terns. True to…

  • National Museum of Albreda

    The Gambia

    This small museum focuses on slavery in The Gambia, with displays detailing the gruesome treatment these human captives suffered. There's also a room…

  • Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve

    The Gambia

    Located on the north bank of the Gambia River, Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve contains savannah woodland, mangrove forest and salt marsh, and is famed for its…

  • Bolong Fenyo Community Wildlife Reserve

    The Gambia

    This 320-hectare reserve encompasses a mix of savanna and wetland habitats, including a freshwater lagoon, and has exceptional birdlife, with some 150…

  • Arch 22

    Banjul

    This massive 36m-high gateway, built to celebrate the military coup of 22 July 1994, grants excellent views. There's also a cafe and a small museum that…

  • National Museum

    Banjul

    Well-presented, if slightly dusty, displays of historical and cultural artefacts, including musical instruments, agricultural tools and ethnographic items…

  • Botanic Gardens

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Bakau's botanic gardens were established in 1924 and offer shade, peace and good bird-spotting chances. It's a small space – just 1.5 hectares.

  • Sakura Arts Studio

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Art lovers should visit Njogu Touray's Sakura Arts Studio for a private viewing of the acclaimed painter's colourful works.

  • July 22 Square

    Banjul

    The quadrangular July 22 Square contains a World War I memorial and a fountain dating from the 1930s.

  • Mosque

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    A useful landmark on Karaiba Ave, this is the main mosque in the city.

  • Kiang West National Park

    The Gambia

    Spread across 115 sq km on the south bank of the river, Kiang West National Park contains an impressive array of plant and animal life. There are more…

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