Overview
Janjanbureh — Georgetown, Heart of the Gambia River Step back in time and discover one of West Africa’s most captivating hidden gems. Janjanbureh Island sits 300 km upstream from Banjul along the majestic River Gambia, and its rich colonial history is written into every corner of the town. Founded in 1823 and formerly known as Georgetown, this UNESCO Heritage Island is home to one of the oldest Methodist churches in sub-Saharan Africa, charming 19th-century colonial buildings, and a warm, welcoming community of around 3,600 people. Whether you are a history lover, a culture seeker or simply looking to escape the beaten track, Janjanbureh offers an authentic Gambian experience unlike anywhere else in the country.
But the real magic of Janjanbureh lies in its extraordinary natural surroundings. Glide along the golden River Gambia on a river cruise and come face to face with hippos wallowing in the shallows and Nile crocodiles basking on the muddy banks. Birdwatchers will be in paradise — the lush gallery forests teem with over 300 species, from the dazzling Northern Carmine Bee-eater to the rare African Finfoot. Just a short boat ride away, the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project on the Baboon Islands is home to around 140 wild chimps living freely — a truly unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Here’s what wikipedia has to say about them:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janjanbureh
If you time it right, immerse yourself in the colour and rhythm of the annual Janjanbureh Cultural Festival. This is upcountry Gambia at its very best.
The Janjanbureh trip is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wassu stone circle experience and it’s the last stop along the route.
Here are the prices which include a bed and breakfast night in Janjanbureh
- person – £150
- people – £280
- people – £420
- people – £540
Bring water bottles, comfortable shoes and overnight bag. Contact us to book your trip and we’ll send you an upfront payment link for your convenience.
This trip can be combined with a farm side stay at Marysa’s lodge – please enquire for details. Contact us to book your trip and we’ll send you an upfront payment link for your convenience.
WASSU STONE CIRCLE
overview
These stone circles are part of a larger pattern of circles between Gambia and Senegal and are said to be the world’s larges concentration of stone circles. There are 11 of these with pillars hewn from a red rock called laterite. The tallest is a monolith of 2.59 metres or 8.5 feet. Nobody knows exactly what their purpose was. Some describe a humbling and mystical feeling when standing amongst the stones which are said to date back to between 300BC and 1600 AD. Others feel that the area has incredible energies. There is a museum at the site and helpful guides.