Hibiscus House Gambia – Explore the real Gambia

Things to do in Gambia

TRIPS & EXCURSIONS

Below is a description of the trips and excursions that can be are arranged by Hibiscus House. For further information and prices please e-mail info@hibiscushousegambia.com

Abuko Nature Reserve The Abuko Nature Reserve, 8km south of Serrekunda near the village of Lamin, is a place for nature lovers and bird watchers with over 200 species of birds. The 105 hectares of tropical vegetation serve as a sanctuary for the country's fauna and flora. You can enjoy a gentle walk along shaded pathways and through one of the last surviving examples of gallery forest. You will see many varieties of bird life, chameleons, colourful lizards and crocodiles. The trip is educational, quiet, relaxing and enjoyable. A recommended visit, open daily 8am-6.30pm. The best time to spot animals is early morning or at dusk.

Banjul and Arch 22 It is best to visit Banjul, The Gambia's capital city, before the midday sun. Arch 22 has a fantastic view of Banjul and the River Gambia. The National Museum has a display of traditional tools, weapons and textiles. Experience the hustle and bustle of the markets, which inside are a maze of stalls, including an area where you can find a wide collection of fabrics, woodcarvings, masks and jewellery. The morning is completed by a refreshment stop at a local beach bar where a welcome cold drink can be purchased before returning to Hibiscus House around lunchtime

Local flavour of The Gambia The day starts at Bijilo Forest Park. The 'Monkey' park covers approximately 50 hectares and consists of superb coastal forest and scrub overlooking the beach. After a 15 minute drive to Katchically crocodile pool, where you may be fortunate to see 'Charlie' the crocodile. The history of this holy place will be explained to you by your guide. The next stop will be Bakau Craft Market to see craftsmen at work and an opportunity to buy the exquisite wooden carvings produced. A welcome stop for refreshments will be at one of the local bars where you can buy a Julbrew, soft drink or water. From here we move on to Serrekunda, the most densely populated town in The Gambia The market is a maze of small stalls and workshops. The stalls are separated by alleys and are organised in different sections, walk around to smell and admire the colours of the vivid West African food ingredients: orange palm oil, pungent dried fish, small pyramids of vegetables, mangoes and oranges, stalls of intriguing powders and dried herbs. Serrekunda also has a famous batik factory in Dippa Kunda. A visit to Serrekunda will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Makasutu Cultural Forest ('Holy Forest') Learn more about Gambian culture & wildlife. Drive to the international award winning Makasutu Cultural Forest, a palm forest situated on a beautiful meandering tributary of the River Gambia (Mandina Bolong) encompassing five different ecosystems – gallery forest, savannah, mangroves, palm forest and wetland/salt flats. You will get the chance to see European and African birds such as Lilly Trotters, West African River Eagle, Black Heron and the Goliath Heron. The morning is spent exploring the mangroves in dug out canoes followed by a nature walk through the forest hoping to catch a glimpse of a few monkeys, mongoose, monitor lizards and baboons.

After an African lunch, members of the Jola tribe will come to demonstrate their dancing and you will have the chance to join in! On your way back to Hibiscus House we will stop at Brikama Craft Market where you will have a chance to see many local craftsmen at work, predominately wood carvers.

Makasutu Evenings Evening visits to Makasutu including supper with entertainment around a large camp fire are also available

River Gambia Creeks Fishing and relaxing in the creeks on a pirogue. The boat departs from Denton Bridge, cruising along the oyster creeks and meandering through the tributaries of the River Gambia on a 50 foot Gambian style pirogue. This spacious open deck boat is an ideal fishing platform and has a 30-foot sunshade.

Tackle and bait is included in the price – using light 6 foot spinning rods and fixed spool reels you can expect to catch fish up to 30lbs. There is plenty of help for everyone and is therefore ideal for beginners as well as experienced anglers. Even spectators are welcome to enjoy the day. We do ask that any small fish be released so that waters are not depleted. The crew will assist with this. You may see local fishermen casting their 'jallo' (huge circular nets) or the oyster ladies in their dugout canoes collecting oysters. But for most people, the real pleasure will be a chance to get a close up view of the aquatic bird life, from Osprey to Pelican. The boat is then anchored in a secluded spot for the chance to have a dip and cool off.

Food and drink is not included but Hibiscus House can provide a picnic or you could have lunch with the monkeys at Lamin Lodge…!

Early Bird River Trip This trip is organised by African Adventure tours who will collect you from Hibiscus House where you will join a 60ft local Pirogue. Only for the early risers as departure time will be around 5.30 am

Roots Experience an historic journey 200 years back in time to Alex Haley's "Roots". The trip starts with a long, lazy, two and a half hour cruise from Banjul directly upriver, taking you to the ancient trading station of Albreda.

After a 15 minute walk you reach the edge of the village of Juffure and the Museum of Slavery before continuing to the original home of Alex Haley's great great grandfather 'Kunta Kinte' which is still occupied by the family.

Back on board a picnic lunch is served, before continuing your journey to James Island. Steeped in slave trade history, the fortress ruins tells the tale of colonial rivalries and it is possible to imagine the hundreds of slaves shackled together awaiting transport to an unknown and uncertain future. Disembarking from the boat into small boats can be a little difficult but help is on hand from the crew. On the return journey to Banjul, dolphins often join the boat in the estuary of the river.

4X4 Beach Day An off the beaten track adventure in either Land Rover or Range Rover which follows the coast of this exciting country and also uncovers the Gambian village way of life. This can be a dusty and bumpy day but is well worth it. During the day there will be the opportunity to visit some villages and experience the hospitality of the friendly locals. Before lunch we visit a local palm wine compound where you will learn how palm wine is tapped and offered a taste to sample. Lunch is available from one of the many beach bars in the south of the country, followed by the chance to swim and sunbathe.

In the afternoon a further stop at the Tanji museum gives the chance to learn more about traditional Gambian culture. Finally we drive past a typical fishing village before heading back to Hibiscus House.

4X4 Southern Gambia Go beyond the routes of a normal tourist excursion with the opportunity to visit the remote area of Southern Gambia combined with a cruise on the river, which divides Gambia from neighbouring Senegal.

You will start with a visit to the Siffoe Farm and then proceed through the savannah of the lesser known area of Gambian countryside toward the border with Senegal.

We arrive at Berending where a traditional West African river craft is waiting to take you for a cruise around various inlets and islands of the Allahein River. The scenery varies from mangroves to open mud flats and fascinating banks of oyster shells. Here there is a good chance of spotting monkeys and some of the varied bird life of this part of the country. Local fishermen and women are often seen digging for mussels in the mud or collecting oysters from the mangroves.

After about 45 minutes of cruising in and out of Senegal we disembark at Kartong, the most southerly part of The Gambia were lunch is available with peaceful views over the river.

On your return journey we visit the only reptile farm in The Gambia, this is a sanctuary of reptiles, snakes, lizards, geckos, chameleons and turtles – a highlight not to be missed.

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A lovely display of African life in a out-door museum, local craftsmen at work including weaving and metalwork. Drinks and maybe food available

Batakunku Beach Situated just beyond Tanji, Batakunku beach is located within a beautiful bay with a local beach bar offering cold drinks and very good cooking. Sun beds are provided along with shade for protection during the heat of the day. Good for swimming and walking.

Brufut Beach Fifteen minutes walk (or a five minute drive) from Hibiscus House; Brufut beach is a large open bay. To the north you can walk to the Senegambia tourist area and southwards to the local fishing area, you will find beach bars (some serving food) and juice stalls. Not recommended for swimming in certain areas or times of day.

Lamin Lodge Set on The River Gambia. An ideal place to watch the early morning bird life and monkeys. Food and drinks available.

Golf The Fajara Club in Fajara has an eighteen-hole golf course. Kololi Beach Club in Senegambia offers an eighteen-hole pitch'n'putt golf course.

Sun Downers Sunsets in The Gambia differ to Europe due to being closer to the equator. Sunsets take about 45 minutes and what better way to see the sun go down with a drink in your hand and the view of the Atlantic Ocean in front of you. Some nibbles are also included.

Mountain Bike Hire One of the best ways to meet the local community and explore the surrounding area is by bike. It is best to stay off the main roads for a more peaceful day.

Beach Fishing Many fish can be caught including barracuda, ladyfish and rays. You are welcome to bring your catch back to Hibiscus House where you can either cook your own fish on the BBQ or get our chefs to prepare a meal for you.

Deep Sea or Creek fishing This trip is organised by external fishing specialists who supply all equipment and bait. Their boats are equipped for either 2 or 4 people

Visit to Brufut School There are various local schools in Brufut which Hibiscus House can arrange visits to. For more information please contact us and we will be able to tell you more.