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

The Gambia rewards curiosity. Most visitors arrive expecting a beach holiday and leave having seen Pel's fishing owl at dawn, watched a pirogue fleet land at Tanji, eaten benachin at a family compound in Bakau and taken a sunset boat on the River Gambia. The country is small enough to do all of this in a week without feeling rushed.

Wildlife and nature

Abuko Nature Reserve

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

Kotu Creek birdwatching

Immediately north of Kotu Beach — a 30-minute walk that produces giant kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, African fish eagle and 40–60 species in a morning. Local guides at the creek entrance: D200–400. The most accessible intense birdwatching in Africa.

Bijilo Forest Park

A coastal forest 10 minutes from Kololi hotels. Habituated western red colobus monkeys approach within metres. Good for an early-morning walk before breakfast. Entrance: D100 [VERIFY].

River Gambia National Park (Baboon Islands)

Six hours upcountry, the chimpanzee sanctuary and riverside forest is the country's most dramatic wildlife destination. Day trips are possible but overnight at Tendaba is better. [VIATOR_LINK: Baboon Islands river trip]

Tanji Bird Reserve and fishing village

A lagoon complex south of the Tanji beach, outstanding for waders, terns and seabirds during migration. The adjacent fishing village is The Gambia's most atmospheric cultural stop. Combined half-day excursion. [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 — fresh drinks on deck, wading birds in the mangroves, an Atlantic sunset, the Banjul skyline receding. One of the best things you can do in The Gambia for around £18–25 per person. [VIATOR_LINK: Gambia sunset river cruise]

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. [VIATOR_LINK: Lamin Lodge mangrove trip]

Jinack Island

An uninhabited barrier island north of Banjul, accessible by boat — long beach, sea turtle nesting sites (in season), flamingos in the creeks. A full-day trip usually combined with a Banjul or Bakau departure. [VIATOR_LINK: Jinack Island day trip]

Sportfishing

The River Gambia holds excellent sport fishing — barracuda, Nile perch, tilapia, captain fish. The Atlantic off the coast: barracuda, bonito, amberjack. Several Kololi operators run half and full-day boat trips. [VIATOR_LINK: Gambia fishing charter]

Cultural experiences

Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh

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

Serrekunda market

The largest market in The Gambia and the commercial heart of the country. Batik fabric, vegetables, fish, electronics, SIM cards, tailors at work. Go on a weekday morning with a local guide and set aside 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 maker contact. Carved wooden animals, batik, woven baskets, silver jewellery. 25 minutes from Kololi by taxi.

Banjul city walking tour

The Gambian capital is compact and uncrowded enough to walk — the Albert Market, the Arch 22 monument (lift to the top for the harbour view), the National Museum, the July 22 Square, the colonial-era buildings around Wellington Street. Half-day with a local guide. [VIATOR_LINK: Banjul city walking tour]

Makasutu Culture Forest

A privately managed riverside forest and cultural centre south of Kololi. Walking trails through forest, wildlife (bush buck, monkeys, birds), a riverside camp, traditional music and dance performances by resident Jola performers. The most produced "cultural experience" in the country — good for first-timers and families. [VIATOR_LINK: Makasutu Culture Forest]

Village visit upcountry

Arranging a visit to a traditional village — cooking demo, compound tour, local food — is best done through your hotel or a registered guide. Several villages near Tendaba, Janjanbureh and Basse welcome visitors; show up unannounced is not the right approach.

Beaches

Sanyang (Paradise Beach)

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

Kotu Beach

Quieter than Kololi, excellent for families, adjacent to Kotu Creek birdwatching. The best beach for those who want nature access alongside sand. [Full guide: /guides/kotu-beach-guide]

Gunjur Beach

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

Kartong Beach

The southernmost tourist beach, where the River Gambia meets the Atlantic. Remote, dramatic, extraordinary 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 has the most consistent waves)
• Sea kayaking: Several operators in Kololi 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 tourist beaches
• Swimming: All the main tourist 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

[VERIFY: 2026 pricing on all activities]

For families

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

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

FAQ

What is The Gambia's single best excursion?

Hard to choose, but Abuko Nature Reserve gets the closest thing to a universal vote — it's accessible, affordable, produces extraordinary wildlife encounters and works for birders, families and casual nature lovers alike.

How do I book excursions?

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

Is it safe to explore independently?

Yes — The Gambia is a low-crime country and most sites are well-visited. Upcountry destinations benefit from an organised driver or guide. The tourist coast (Kololi, Kotu, Bakau) is straightforward to navigate independently.

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