Top 9 kids-friendly things to do in Banjul

1. Gambian cooking class and market tour with hotel transfers

Three to four hours, local family home — visit Tanji Fishing Market, cook authentic Gambian dishes, and enjoy a meal in a peaceful garden setting.

2. Full-day Gambia exploration by 4x4 vehicle

A full-day adventure in a 4x4 — explore urban and rural life, visit local schools and family compounds, and relax at Paradise Beach.

3. Two-day cultural tour of Georgetown and the River Gambia

Two days exploring Georgetown's history and culture, including a horse ride, a boat trip on the River Gambia, and visits to local sites.

4. Private Janjangbureh Overnight Tour

We depart early to explore both sides of the Gambia (north and south),we drive cross to the North Bank to visit the Wassu Stone Circles, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive to Kuntaur to board our boat to explore the River Gambia, a 2-3hrs relaxing cruise. Be on the lookout for Hippos, Crocodiles, Baboons, Monkeys, colourful birds and Chimpanzees. We will be cruising around River Gambia National Park (RGNP) before returning back to Kuntaur for our evening drive to Janjangbureh. (Please note; Chimpanzees are kept on islands and visitors are only allowed to sail around the islands) The next morning, we exploring the Island on foot and depart after lunch towards our hotel On the return journey, if it falls on a market day we would stop to visit a ‘Lumo’ (our weekly African open flea market) an opportunity to witness traditional bartering in this unique setting.Proceed to visit one of the local family compounds to learn about the traditional way of life

5. Gambia cultural day tour: markets, wood factory, and local school

An engaging day in Gambia, visiting Serrekunda Market, a local school, a wood carving factory, and concluding with lunch at Paradise Beach and a visit to Tanji Fishing Village.

“We paid around $125 each for the all-day "Four Wheel Drive Adventure" tour, which included various activities but excluded food and tips. Since only two of us were booked, we enjoyed a private tour with two guides, Armstrong and Yaya. They communicated effectively via WhatsApp before the tour and were punctual on the day. We met them at the port and began an extensive exploration of unique sites throughout The Gambia, from crocodiles to markets, monuments, fishing villages, and local schools. This tour provided an excellent insight into the lives of local people. One guide accompanied us throughout, providing explanations and answering our questions. Although some locations were not modern or tidy by typical tourist standards, we felt safe and were not bothered by anyone. Be prepared for considerable walking in warm weather and the reality of some people’s difficult circumstances—it's respectful not to photograph them as you wouldn't want the same done to you. I must mention the inspiring school visit, where we encountered adorable children but were approached for monetary donations, which can feel awkward if not anticipated. We brought a large bag of candy since it was Halloween, and it went unnoticed. We appreciated that aspect of the tour, finding it both informative and heartfelt, but others might find the donation request unexpected. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour, gaining an authentic perspective of The Gambia that many typical tourist tours lack, with a great mix of museums, markets, monuments, schools, and animals. The fishing village was particularly memorable and shouldn’t be missed. The guides were friendly and informative, and I highly recommend this company and tour.”— usflyer

6. Private photography session in Gambia

Thirty-minute session at a scenic location — personalized photo shoot to capture memories with 15 professionally edited images delivered online.

“The experience was truly wonderful. The team was attentive and patient during the photo shoot. Sisi and the crew were both professional and warm. Excellent value for what we received. Thank you all. Lizzy.”— 532lizzyi

7. Full-day Gambian cooking class in Banjul

A full-day cooking experience that includes shopping at a local market, preparing traditional dishes like Yassa and Benachin, ending with a shared meal.

“During our trip to The Gambia, we had an exceptional experience with Armstrong and his wonderful team from Black and White Safari. As a private shore excursion with 14 guests from the Holland America Zuiderdam, we began our cultural journey at the outdoor market in Banjul, where the team gathered ingredients and spices for our lavish meal. We then had the pleasure of cooking at Armstrong’s family home, where we actively participated in preparing the food. It was delicious and truly offered a deep cultural immersion.”— MarkTourist

8. Banjul city tour — a private half-day exploration

Four hours in a private vehicle — core sights of Banjul and nearby areas with a local guide.

“I had a wonderful experience with Ibrahim. He provided an abundance of information about Banjul and was very accommodating with all my requests for photo breaks.”— SugarGal

9. Gambian home cooking experience in Banjul

Three hours — shop at local markets and learn to prepare traditional Gambian dishes in a family home setting.

“My experience in The Gambia was absolutely fantastic, thanks to two amazing hostesses. Initially, I had limited expectations about the excursion, mainly involving a market visit and a Gambian meal. To my delight, the market was fascinating, and Sainabou and Mariama were delightful and attentive. They ensured my comfort from the moment I was picked up until the end of the day. We explored the market, where I asked questions, and they even assisted me in negotiating prices for items I wanted to purchase. Although most people in The Gambia speak English, Mariama and Sainabou were excellent in helping me translate with those who had limited English skills. The locals were friendly, and I truly enjoyed my time with them. Regarding the food, it was incredible. I mentioned I wasn't fond of most fish, but they encouraged me to try a fish dish, which was served alongside other options. As a non-fish eater, I must say it was the best fish I have ever tasted, and I would gladly eat it daily if I could cook like them. Now, I have developed a love for several Gambian dishes. They even taught me how to prepare a couple of them with ingredients that I can find in the U.S. I cannot recommend this excursion highly enough and look forward to joining them on another adventure during my next visit.”— Tracy D