See the location of the activities:
In the morning, we embark on a 2-hour journey into the country's interior, passing through picturesque countryside dotted with local villages. Along the way, you’ll observe thatched roofs, fences made of stakes or reeds near the mosque, and authentic sub-savanna vegetation, offering a glimpse of traditional African life.
Upon arrival at Ndemban, the Jola village community, you will be warmly welcomed by the village guide, who will provide an introduction to the homestay and essential information for your stay.
Your day will be filled with immersive activities that allow you to experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the Jola people.
The first stop will be a visit to the village chief, a revered figure in the community. This customary greeting is an important tradition that underscores the respect given to local leadership.
Next, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a Tapalapa (traditional bread) making workshop at a local bakery. Tapalapa is a staple in the local diet, and this hands-on experience will give you insight into the traditional baking methods used by the villagers.
After the workshop, you’ll return to the village’s riverside restaurant for a traditional meal. Following lunch, you’ll participate in a workshop on traditional crafts such as tie-dye fabric dyeing and soap making, both of which are integral to the village’s cultural practices.
You’ll then observe the process of traditional salt production, where seawater is evaporated to extract salt. This demonstration provides a fascinating look at the methods used by the village to produce this essential mineral.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to engage in oyster collection along the village’s estuary. This activity offers a hands-on experience of the traditional methods used to collect oysters, highlighting their importance to the local economy.
To round off the day, you’ll embark on a 2-hour kayaking adventure through the scenic creeks surrounding the village. This peaceful excursion allows you to explore the natural beauty of the area from a unique perspective.
After enjoying breakfast with your host family, you’ll begin a day of work and learning in the community.
Your first activity will be a visit to the village’s vegetable garden, where you’ll learn about local agriculture and sustainable farming practices. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in farming activities such as planting, weeding, and harvesting, gaining insight into the hard work that sustains the community.
Following your time in the garden, you’ll join a family or group of villagers in preparing a traditional lunch from start to finish. This cooking experience is an excellent opportunity to learn about the local cuisine, including the use of traditional ingredients and cooking utensils. You’ll discover the various dishes commonly prepared in the village and gain an appreciation for the spices and seasonings that flavor the local food.
After enjoying a well-deserved lunch, it will be time to pack your belongings, bid farewell to your hosts and new friends, and begin the journey back to the coastal area.
Activities in the village can be adjusted or rearranged according to the group preferences.
The trip is easy to moderate. The most activity expected from you is during the workshops, home cooking and visit to the gardens. The trip will also include some walking.
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 two days stay (we recommend bringing powerbank as well). 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.