We are writing this right in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. No one is doing much traveling in West Africa, let alone the rest of the world. That said, Gambia’s tourism sector had already been ravaged by the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook.

Once we are all able to travel again, this is one country that deserves a visit. We say that not only because their tourism sector has been decimated. It is a tiny country with a little bit of everything, from beaches to jungle and river trips, to never-ending culture and history. It is also an English speaking country, and it is incredibly affordable.

Most people who come to the Gambia tend to stay on the coast where the beaches are admittedly deserving of all the hype they receive. However, one of the best ways to explore the country is by taking a trip on the Gambia River. The mouth of the river, where the Gambia meets the Atlantic Ocean, is quite wide, but as you go further inland, the river narrows and the population slims down as well. Small villages and plenty of nature will be the main features of your trip.

Not far from the mouth of the river is one of the more touristic sites in the Gambia. The famous “Roots” tour based on the book by Alex Haley. The legacy of former slave Kunta Kinteh is traced back to the villages of Juffureh and Albreda. While the historical accuracy has not been nailed down, the villages are certainly worth a visit as you make your way inland. Our friend Simon Fenton, who formerly ran the Little Baobab in Abene (he tragically died in a car accident in 2017), wrote about his experience in the “Roots” villages here.

For a customized and more comprehensive tour of the Gambia river, we highly recommend Fair Play, Gambia. Their boat, the Fula Princess, is fully equipped for lodging, dining and even activities like kayaking. They have a few set itineraries, but you can also contact them directly for a customized trip. Here is a bit of video to give you an idea:

Having a sundowner on the top deck of the boat while enjoying some excellent local cuisine, visiting villages, exploring mangroves and the diverse ecology of the Gambia River.

You can also take the Fula Princess all the way down to the River Gambia National Park. This is one of the few places (and one of the only in West Africa) in the world where you can see an unmolested population of chimpanzees. While land access to the Baboon islands is forbidden (where the chimpanzees live), it is possible to observe the chimpanzees whilst on a boat on the river. There is a considerable amount of additional wildlife in the park, including baboons, green and colobus monkeys, warthogs, bushbucks and even manatees.

It is unclear how far down the Gambia River you can go on a boat. We have never tried to reach the finish line ourselves. The river technically goes beyond the Gambia border and goes all the way down to Kedougou in Senegal, which is not far from the borders of both Guinea and Mali. We would love to hear from anyone who has tried to do such a trip. You would likely need a smaller watercraft for this. If anyone has any info or personal experience, please let us know in the comments.