Top 8 nature & wildlife 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. 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

3. Full-day Four By Four drive through Gambian heartland

A full-day tour through Banjul's landscapes in a 4x4 vehicle, showcasing Gambian culture and everyday life.

4. Full-day safari at Fathala Wildlife Reserve from Banjul

A full-day safari adventure — explore Fathala Wildlife Reserve, including wildlife sightings, local culture, and traditional lunch with personalized guidance throughout.

“Abdou is incredibly kind and hospitable. His open-minded perspective is a great asset in today’s world. If you're considering a trip to Senegal or The Gambia, he is the guide you should choose.”— dorianej179

5. Two-day cultural and wildlife tour of Georgetown, Gambia

Two days of guided tours and boat rides — city highlights, local cuisine, and wildlife on Baboon Island, with comfortable transport throughout.

“I highly recommend choosing a local professional business over various 'fixers'. Armstrong was an extremely professional host who communicated with us via WhatsApp well before our arrival in The Gambia. He tailored the trip to meet our preferences, accommodating our requests for inclusions and exclusions, and offered PayPal as a payment option. During our journey, Abraham was our driver, providing a safe and experienced service through challenging roads and numerous checkpoints. Lamin, our guide, shared a wealth of knowledge and stories, and was attentive to our needs, such as accommodating our vegetarian diet in a meat-dominant culture. The trip was long—12 hours one way—with breaks for lunch and activities like visiting stone circles and taking a river cruise. We encountered hippos, chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, and a variety of beautiful bird species. The return journey lasted 8 hours, filled with more activities, including observing local family life, visiting community gardens, and interacting with children—all while under the careful guidance of Abraham and Lamin. We will certainly book with Black and White again on our next visit. Thank you!”— 341lillac

6. Makasutu Culture Forest tour from Banjul

Three-hour guided tour, including canoeing the creek for 30-40 minutes and a walk through the palm forest, with opportunities for wildlife sightings and cultural exchanges with locals.

“We had an incredible full-day private tour of the Makasutu Culture Forest with Ebrima Camara's VIP Exclusive Tours. Our group, made up of three couples, found the experience outstanding. The pickup from the cruise ship was timely in a clean, spacious van, accompanied by a highly professional guide and driver. The tour provided an in-depth exploration of the beautiful Makasutu Culture Forest, where we were joined by a second guide who offered insightful knowledge about the local flora and fauna. Ibrima met us at the ship's dock to ensure everything went smoothly throughout the day. Included in the tour were drinks and a delightful locally prepared lunch. This experience with VIP Exclusive Tours, led by Ibrima Camara, exceeded our expectations in every way.”— Altamira01

7. Makasutu Eco Adventure: Forest walk and boat trip

Three hours exploring Makasutu's ecosystems on foot and by boat, including encounters with wildlife and local traditions like palm wine tapping and fortune telling.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the Monkey Park and river cruise at Lamin Lodge, particularly the lovely sunset cruise, which was one of our favorite experiences. From start to finish, everything was fantastic. Our guide had excellent monkey-spotting skills that made the visit enjoyable and memorable. The entire trip was well-organized, and we felt safe and cared for throughout. The scenery during the river cruise, especially at sunset, was breathtaking, making it a serene and unforgettable experience. This outing was definitely a highlight of our trip, and we highly recommend it to others.”— kristybA32EC

8. One-day tour from Gambia to Senegal with safari park visit

A day trip featuring a ferry crossing to Barra, with a visit to Senegal's safari park, led by an experienced English-speaking guide.

“I went on the safari with my parents, and we were all very pleased with the experience. It's certainly exhausting, involving an hour's drive to the port, waiting for the ferry due to no fixed schedules, then a one-hour ferry ride, and another car ride to the border, which takes quite a while. After all that, you only get an hour in the park, and then it's the same journey back. However, it is still worth it! The park is not very large, and while it may not offer the most 'wild' experience since the animals are fed and easily found, it’s still enjoyable to see them in their natural habitat. Our guide was friendly and well-organized, and we also had lunch at a local restaurant.”— Antoana_T