Fathala Reserve Safari Day Trip from Banjul with Guide

Summary

Wildlife Safari & Ferry Adventure from The Gambia

Get ready for a real adventure: cross from Banjul by public ferry, explore Senegal’s Fathala Reserve with a local guide, spot giraffes and rhinos from an open 4x4, and share lunch under the trees. It’s not polished or predictable — but it’s an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve washed off the dust.

What’s the experience like?

“Is that really the ferry?” I asked, squinting at the crowd already gathering before sunrise in Banjul. Our guide, Musa, just grinned and shrugged — “It’s always like this.” The air smelled a bit salty and smoky, and honestly, I was still half asleep. Getting on that public ferry to Barra felt like joining a moving festival: women balancing baskets, kids darting between legs, someone selling oranges out of a bucket. It took longer than I expected (Musa warned us about the schedule), but watching the sun come up over the river made it hard to complain.

After we crossed into Senegal — border guards checking passports and yellow fever cards with practiced boredom — things got quieter. The road to Fathala Nature Reserve was dusty and lined with baobabs that looked older than time. When we finally rolled through the reserve gates, our ranger Fatou greeted us with this huge smile and handed out cold water bottles (which felt like magic). We piled into an open 4x4, bouncing along red dirt tracks while Fatou pointed out animal tracks I’d never have noticed. She spotted a pair of giraffes before any of us did — their heads just poking above the trees. There was this moment when a warthog family dashed across our path and everyone burst out laughing; even Fatou couldn’t keep a straight face.

Lunch was simple but good — grilled chicken under a big canvas awning, with monkeys eyeing us from the branches overhead. Some folks tried the Lion Walk (I chickened out; maybe next time), but honestly I was happy just sitting there listening to birds and feeling that weird mix of heat and breeze you only get in West Africa. On the way back, I realized my shoes were covered in red dust and my camera roll was full of blurry buffaloes — but I still think about that first glimpse of giraffes through the haze.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ferry, Border, and Safari Adventure

• Ferry crossing from Banjul to Barra
• Cross border into Senegal
• Safari in Fathala Nature Reserve

Top questions

Do I need a visa or yellow fever certificate for this safari?

Yes, bring your passport, required visas (multi-entry for Gambia; single entry for Senegal), and your yellow fever certificate for border checks.

How long does it take to reach Fathala Reserve from Banjul?

The journey takes about 3–4 hours each way including ferry crossing, border formalities, and driving to Fathala Reserve.

What animals can I expect to see at Fathala?

You might spot giraffes, rhinos, giant elands, zebras, antelopes, warthogs, buffaloes, monkeys, and various birds—though sightings vary.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, lunch is provided at Fathala Reserve as part of your tour.

Is hotel pickup included in Banjul?

Pickup from your accommodation in Banjul is included—just confirm your location when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Banjul, all ferry crossings across the Gambia River, border formalities assistance with your local guide Musa or Fatou leading the way at Fathala Reserve, entry fees throughout the safari experience by 4x4 vehicle, plus a simple lunch under canvas before heading back across two countries.