See the trail route:
Your adventure begins in Bakau, where you will visit the famous Kachikally Crocodile Pool, home to sacred crocodiles and a site of deep cultural significance. Next, head to Bijilo Monkey Park, a forest reserve teeming with playful patas and green monkeys.
Continue south to Tanji, where you'll experience the lively fish landing shore and witness the daily bustle of fishermen bringing in their catch. Delve into Gambian traditions at the Tanji Ethnographic Museum, showcasing the country’s diverse ethnic heritage.
In the afternoon, journey further south to Gunjur Turtle Conservation Village, dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles. Then, visit the Kartong Snake Farm, where you’ll learn about West Africa’s native reptiles.
Your day ends with a boat trip to Pelican Island, a haven for birdwatchers, and a visit to The Gambia’s southernmost point, where the river meets the ocean. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at Dodou’s Riverside Restaurant before heading to Baobab Island for a serene overnight stay amidst nature.
Wake up to the sounds of nature and set off for Ndemban Jola village, where you’ll dive into an authentic cultural experience. Take part in a Tapalapa bread-making workshop, learning how locals prepare this traditional Gambian bread.
Savor a home-cooked local meal, then engage in a Tie & Dye workshop, where you'll create your own colorful fabric. Visit a traditional salt production site to witness the centuries-old method of extracting salt from natural resources.
In the evening, cross the river to Soma, where you will unwind at The Bridge Lodge, your accommodation for the night.
Begin the day at Njau village, where you will meet inspiring women leading a local community initiative. Then, visit Reforest the Future, an environmental conservation project dedicated to tree planting and climate action.
The adventure continues at Wassu Stone Circles( UNESCO Sites) and then to River Gambia National Park, a protected area where you’ll take a boat trip to observe hippos, chimpanzees, and crocodiles in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, travel to Janjabureh Island, one of the oldest settlements in The Gambia. Visit the Kankurang Museum, which celebrates the country's masquerade traditions and UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.
Your journey today ends in Bansang, where you’ll spend the night in a comfortable lodge.
We head towards the furthest town in The Gambia, Basse, an important trading hub near the border. Continue to Koina, the country’s easternmost point, a remote and culturally rich village.
On your return journey, stop at Kerewan Samba Sira, a village known for its cotton farming. Engage in a hands-on cotton spinning experience, learning how cotton is processed traditionally. Enjoy a communal lunch with villagers, offering an authentic taste of Gambian hospitality.
End the day at Kakuba Lodge in Kudang, your cozy retreat for the night.
After breakfast, begin your journey back towards the coast, reflecting on the incredible experiences and cultural encounters from the past five days.
This itinerary offers a deep dive into The Gambia's cultural heritage, community life, and natural wonders, making it a truly immersive and enriching travel experience.
The trip is easy to moderate. The most activity expected from you is when you have to board a boat. It will include some walking, but there will be no serious activity. The most demanding part is the long drive and the heat, which intensifies as you move deeper inland.
We recommend bringing sun protection (headwear, long, lightweight clothes, sunglasses, sun cream) and mosquito repellents. Make sure you bring enough water (you can also buy it on the way) and some snacks if you get hungry quickly. Pack everything you need for a seven nights stay. We recommend comfortable wear.
The trip is organised by the Insitute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) in collaboration with Ninki Nanka Encounters (NNE).
ITTOG specialises in hands-on training mainly in the Travel and Tourism sectors with special emphasis on travel agency, tour operations, tour guiding, ground operations, events management, entrepreneurship/business skills development, responsible/sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, and general tourism business management.
NNE Foundation is a small, new Gambian charity and UK community interest company (CIC) working towards the responsible development of the Ninki Nanka Trail as a community-based tourist destination.
They work on projects with communities, tourism businesses and local government to develop experiences, products and community-based tourism designed to create inspiring, cultural interaction between travellers and local people and use tourism to create livelihood opportunities for host communities along The River Gambia.
We do believe it's time for another adventure. Don't spend all of your time in The Gambia in one place. Go out and explore! There are so many beautiful experiences waiting for you. Let us help you pick one - and take care of all the rest.