2-Day Georgetown & River Gambia Tour: Colonial History & Wildlife

Ride a donkey through Farafenni market and spot hippos on a river cruise

A 2-day guided tour of Georgetown and The Gambia's North Bank region with private transportation, English-speaking guide, and all meals. Day one includes a horse or donkey ride through Farafenni market, the historic Wassu Stone Circle burial ground, and a boat trip on the River Gambia where hippos and crocodiles appear in the wild. Day two explores colonial Georgetown's slave market remnants and underground dungeon, then visits a local village family. Overnight lodging at Kairoh Gardens on the river is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Farafenni, Wassu Stone Circle, and Baboon Island

• Horse or donkey ride at Farafenni market
• Visit Wassu Stone Circle and museum
• Boat trip on River Gambia
• Visit Baboon Island chimpanzee center
• Spot hippos and crocodiles

Day 2: Colonial Georgetown and slave history

• Tour colonial Georgetown slave market remnants
• Visit underground slave dungeon and freedom tree
• Drive through south bank region
• Visit local village family

The experience

The tour opens with a 20-minute horse or donkey ride through Farafenni, the main commercial town on the North Bank and a border crossing between Senegal and The Gambia. From there you drive to the Wassu Stone Circle, a burial ground for ancient Gambian kings, and tour the on-site museum before heading to the Kuntaur River for a boat journey along the River Gambia. The boat stops at Baboon Island to visit a chimpanzee rehabilitation center: a setting where hippos and crocodiles move through the water in daylight.

The second day shifts to Georgetown's colonial architecture and its difficult history. You walk through remnants of the slave market, descend into an underground slave dungeon, and see the freedom tree before driving back through the south bank region. A stop at a local village family's home closes the day before the return journey. Overnight accommodation sits at Kairoh Gardens on the river, with breakfast and dinner both included, plus all admission fees and private transportation throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the two days.
• live English-speaking guide.
• horse or donkey ride at Farafenni market.
• admission to Wassu Stone Circle and its museum.
• boat trip on the River Gambia with a stop at Baboon Island.
• overnight lodging at Kairoh Gardens.
• breakfast and dinner both days.
• local village family visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except FridayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arch Tours

Is this one for you?This is a guided tour with a fixed itinerary and shared route, so the pace and stops follow the operator's schedule rather than your own choices. It suits travelers who want colonial history and river wildlife woven together in one journey, with a guide handling the navigation and a local family visit built into the second day: the kind of immersion a self-guided visit to these sites would not easily reach.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Wassu Stone Circle and why does the tour stop there?

Wassu Stone Circle is an ancient burial ground for important kings of The Gambia. The tour includes entry to the site and a visit to its museum, which documents the rich history of these stone monuments.

Will I actually see hippos and crocodiles on the River Gambia boat trip?

The River Gambia boat trip is designed to spot hippos and crocodiles in the wild, and the route passes Baboon Island where a chimpanzee rehabilitation center operates. Wildlife sightings depend on the day and season, but the river habitat supports these animals year-round.

What does the horse or donkey ride at Farafenni involve?

At Farafenni market, travelers ride a horse or donkey for about 20 minutes through the heart of the main commercial town. The choice between horse and donkey is available at the market itself.

What colonial sites does Georgetown include?

Georgetown's colonial tour covers the remnants of the slave market, an underground slave dungeon, and the freedom tree. These sites document The Gambia's role in the transatlantic slave trade and its path to independence.

Are meals and lodging included in the 2-day price?

Yes. Breakfast and dinner are included both days, and overnight lodging is at Kairoh Gardens on the River Gambia. Private transportation, all admission fees, and an English-speaking guide are also included.