Top 9 water & beach things to do in Banjul

1. 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.

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 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

4. 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

5. Banjul city tour including Arch 22, Albert Market, and beach lunch

Three hours walking tour of Banjul — Arch 22, Albert Market, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, and lunch at Nefertiti Bar by the beach.

“We had a fantastic half-day tour around Banjul with Sheriff as our guide and Sulaman driving for Black and White Safari. Pickup from the Senegambia Hotel was punctual, and they kindly dropped us off at our hotel afterward. During the tour, we visited several government buildings, climbed Arch 22, and explored the museum. We also stopped at a local crafts center where we gained insights into Gambian history and traditions. The tour concluded at the Royal Albert Market, where another knowledgeable guide joined us, enhancing our experience with entertaining stories. I appreciated that both guides never pressured us to make purchases; they emphasized it was entirely our choice. Overall, it was a wonderful day in Banjul, and I would definitely recommend this tour.”— Raluca_M

6. 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

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. Full-day river cruise to Kunta Kinteh Island and historic villages

Ten hours on the River Gambia — visit Albreda and Jufureh, with lunch and snacks provided on board, exploring the legacy of Kunta Kinteh Island.

“The transport from our hotel was punctual. Our guide, ML, was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and communicated in clear English. The journey was smooth, the vehicle was comfortable, and the driver was skilled and attentive, which is impressive for Barra and Banjul.”— Ruth_L

9. South Gambia tour — Tanji Fishing Center and Paradise Beach

A half-day trip from Banjul to see Tanji Fishing Center and enjoy the tranquility of Paradise Beach.

“We selected the South Gambia tour to gain insight into everyday life in Gambia, and it was a great decision thanks to Jarry and San. They were excellent, trustworthy, friendly, and knowledgeable. The beach was stunning, and the Tanji fish market left a strong impression. Our visit to the Monkey Forest was another enjoyable highlight.”— marjoleins372