The Ultimate Gambia Tour

Day 1

Upon arriving in Banjul and passing through immigration, you will be greeted by an Uprise tour guide as you exit the airport. After checking into a comfortable hotel on the edge of the city, you may have time for a short orientation session with your guide or your first meal in Gambia before heading to bed for the evening.

Day 2

This morning you will have breakfast before embarking on a city tour of Banjul and its surrounding communities. You will stop at Arch 22, which commemorates a 1994 coup d’etat and remains one of the tallest structures in Gambia. In the afternoon, you will visit the Albert Market, the best place to learn about clay and calabash work from the local people. Depending on the weather, you may also visit one of the many renowned beaches along the “Smiling Coast of Africa.”  

Day 3

This morning we will travel to the Muslim village of Jufureh, along the north bank of the Gambia River. This area is best known for the preservation of its colonial structures and its appearance in Alex Haley’s celebrated novel Roots. Historically, this area was a popular route for slaves being traded to the British and the Dutch. You will have the chance to visit the slave dungeons for both male and female slaves.

Day 4

This morning you will make a long journey alongside the River Gambia to the famous River Gambia National Park. Established in 1978, the park is made up of five islands covering an area of about 580 hectares of savanna, forest, and swamps. It is also the home to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, an effort to reintroduce chimpanzees to the area. The park is one of Africa’s popular destinations for birdwatchers, and is home to hippos, crocodiles, hundreds of bird species, baboons, marmosets, vervet monkeys and more. This afternoon you will embark on a boat excursion into the park.

Day 5  

Your second day in River Gambia National Park will start with a forest walk that will allow you to see a variety of birds, monkeys, baboons, and more. Traveling by foot with a guide will show you the jungle from a different perspective. After lunch you will exit the park and make your way to the historic Stone Circles of Senegambia. The stones are the world’s largest known megalithic complex. From here you will make your way west to Kiang West National Park. Predominantly mangrove, woodlands, and savanna forest, this park is home to African hyenas, and some reptiles such as crocodiles, African pythons, and African black cobras.

Day 6

This morning you will make your way back to Banjul, where you will visit the Abuko Nature reserve, Gambia’s first nature park. Established in the 1960s, the park includes a variety of bird species, as well as other animals like antelopes, lizards, porcupines, monkeys and baboons. This afternoon in Banjul, you will visit the Makasutu Cultural Forest, a private ecotourism woodland that local legend believes to be sacred.

Day 7

Today you will visit a variety of sites around the Banjul area. The Kachikally Crocodile Pool is a popular tourist destination that is home to over 100 species of reptiles like crocodiles, monitor lizards, and African Pythons. You will also visit a number of souvenir shops in the area. Later this afternoon, you will drive down to Kotu Beach where you can swim and enjoy Gambia’s best stretch of white sand beach and palm-lined Atlantic coast.

Day 8

On your final day in Gambia, you will have a chance to do some last-minute souvenir shopping at the craft market, in addition to visiting a batik factory or the beach if you have time. You will have your final lunch in Gambia before heading to the airport for your flight home, or wherever you next destination may be.

The Uprise team is happy to assist you with your luggage, but feel free to pack light and keep it simple!

• We highly recommend that you speak with your doctor about about antimalarial medications or any vaccinations that he or she may suggest.
• If your trip includes a safari, please include darker, more neutral-colored clothing in order to avoid scaring off the animals.
• Also, please consider culturally appropriate dress. While many cities and beaches in West Africa are more liberal with their dress codes, many people will be offended if you show too much skin. In some communities women should cover their shoulders and knees. Consider packing capri pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, or scarves to cover your shoulders.

In your hand-luggage:

• Passport
• Photocopy of your passport
• Visa for Ghana/Togo/Benin (if applicable)
• Yellow fever vaccination card
• Wallet and money
• Waterbottle
• Medications
• Phone
• Camera
• Chargers
• Books/games

In your checked luggage:

• Underwear
• Socks
• Pants
• Shorts
• Tee shirts
• Bathing suits
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Sneakers/hiking shoes
• Sandals
• Rainjacket
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Soap/facewash
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shaving cream
• Bugspray
• Sunscreen