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Things to Do in The Gambia: Activities and Excursions in 2026

The Gambia rewards curiosity. Most people arrive expecting a beach holiday and leave having watched Pel's fishing owl at dawn, seen a pirogue fleet land at Tanji, eaten benachin at a family compound in Bakau and taken a sunset boat on the river. It's small enough to do all of that in a week without rushing.

Wildlife and nature

Abuko Nature Reserve

The single best half-day from the tourist coast. Riparian forest, a crocodile pond, Pel's fishing owl reliably at roost, violet turaco, western red colobus. 20 minutes from Kololi. [Full guide: /guides/abuko-nature-reserve] Abuko Nature Reserve tours on Viator

Kotu Creek birdwatching

Just north of Kotu Beach — a 30-minute walk that turns up giant kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, African fish eagle and 40–60 species in a morning. Local guides at the creek entrance: D200–400. About the most accessible serious birding in Africa.

Bijilo Forest Park

Coastal forest 10 minutes from the Kololi hotels. Habituated western red colobus come within metres. Good for an early walk before breakfast. Entrance: D100.

River Gambia National Park (Baboon Islands)

Six hours upcountry, the chimpanzee sanctuary and riverside forest is the most dramatic wildlife in the country. Day trips are possible, but an overnight at Tendaba is better. Baboon Islands river trips on Viator

Tanji Bird Reserve and fishing village

A lagoon complex south of Tanji beach, outstanding for waders, terns and seabirds during migration. The fishing village next door is the Gambia's most atmospheric cultural stop. Combined half-day. [Full guide: /guides/tanji-fishing-village]

River trips and water

Sunset river cruise

A 2–3 hour evening boat trip on the River Gambia from Denton Bridge or Banjul — drinks on deck, wading birds in the mangroves, an Atlantic sunset, the Banjul skyline pulling away. One of the best things you can do here for around £18–25 per person. Gambia sunset river cruise on Viator

Lamin Lodge creek trip

A pirogue trip through the mangrove creeks to Lamin Lodge for lunch on stilts over the water — kingfishers, herons and the smell of tidal mud. Half-day, usually combined with Abuko. D400–600 per person including boat and guide. Lamin Lodge mangrove trips on Viator

Jinack Island

An uninhabited barrier island north of Banjul, reached by boat — a long beach, sea-turtle nesting sites (in season), flamingos in the creeks. A full day, usually out of Banjul or Bakau. Jinack Island day trips on Viator

Sportfishing

The river holds good sport fishing — barracuda, Nile perch, tilapia, captain fish — and the Atlantic off the coast adds barracuda, bonito and amberjack. Several Kololi operators run half and full-day trips. Fishing charters in The Gambia on Viator

Cultural experiences

Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh

UNESCO World Heritage Site — the former James Island, renamed for the ancestor in Alex Haley's Roots. A boat trip up the river reaches the island; Juffureh village on the north bank is where the Kinte family story begins. The most historically charged day trip in the country. [Full guide: /guides/kunta-kinteh-island]

Serrekunda market

The biggest market in the country and its commercial heart — batik, vegetables, fish, electronics, SIM cards, tailors at work. Go on a weekday morning with a local guide and give it two hours. Not a tourist market — a real one.

Brikama craft market

The best craft shopping in the country: lower prices than the Kololi craft market, better quality, more direct contact with the makers. Carved animals, batik, woven baskets, silver jewellery. 25 minutes from Kololi by taxi.

Banjul city walking tour

The capital is compact and uncrowded enough to walk — Albert Market, Arch 22 (lift to the top for the harbour view), the National Museum, July 22 Square, the colonial buildings around Wellington Street. Half-day with a local guide. Banjul city tour — Arch 22 & Albert Market on Viator

Makasutu Culture Forest

A privately managed riverside forest and cultural centre south of Kololi — walking trails through forest, wildlife (bushbuck, monkeys, birds), a riverside camp, and music and dance from resident Jola performers. The most produced "cultural experience" in the country, and good for first-timers and families. Makasutu Culture Forest tours on Viator

Village visit upcountry

A village visit — cooking demo, compound tour, local food — is best arranged through your hotel or a registered guide. Several villages near Tendaba, Janjanbureh and Basse welcome visitors; turning up unannounced is not the way to do it.

Beaches

Sanyang (Paradise Beach)

The best beach in The Gambia, 35 km south of Kololi. A working fishing beach, Seaview Garden for fresh grilled barracuda, fewer hawkers than the strip. [Full guide: /guides/sanyang-beach-guide]

Kotu Beach

Quieter than Kololi, excellent for families, right next to Kotu Creek birdwatching. The best beach if you want nature access alongside the sand. [Full guide: /guides/kotu-beach-guide]

Gunjur Beach

Community-managed, 7 km north of Sanyang. The Gunjur Project runs turtle conservation; the beach is cleaner than the strip and the feel is more local.

Kartong Beach

The southernmost tourist beach, where the River Gambia meets the Atlantic. Remote, dramatic, with excellent birdwatching. Best for independent travellers with their own transport.

Watersports

• Surfing: Atlantic swell at Cape Point and off Bakau in the right months (October–December is most consistent)
• Sea kayaking: Several Kololi operators rent sea kayaks; the mangrove creeks south of Banjul are the best paddling
• Snorkelling: Limited reef sections south of Kololi; clearer water at Cape Point than on the main beaches
• Swimming: All the main beaches swim well November–April; rip currents exist everywhere on the Atlantic — swim in front of hotels or in the lee of natural breaks

Quick-reference: activities by type

For families

Best with kids: Bijilo Forest Park (monkeys, short walk), Abuko (crocodiles, owls, primates), Makasutu (cultural show, river), Sanyang Beach (wide beach, safe swimming, the fish landing), Lamin Lodge (lunch on stilts, kingfishers).

Skip with young children: long upcountry drives (4+ hours each way), Serrekunda market (very busy, hard with small children), open-ocean fishing trips.

FAQ

What's the single best excursion?

Hard to pick, but Abuko Nature Reserve gets closest to a universal vote — accessible, affordable, with extraordinary wildlife, and it works for birders, families and casual nature lovers alike.

How do I book excursions?

Through your hotel (most have an excursion desk with standard packages), through local registered guides (ask the hotel or tourist office), or via Viator for pre-booked options.

Is it safe to explore independently?

Yes — The Gambia is low-crime and most sites are well-visited. Upcountry trips are better with a driver or guide. The tourist coast (Kololi, Kotu, Bakau) is easy to navigate on your own.

Plan the full trip: Read our Gambia holidays guide for accommodation and itineraries. Birdwatching in The Gambia for the full wildlife picture.