Roots River Cruise: Kunta Kinteh Island Slave History Tour

A day tracing the Roots sites: the ferry crossing, the museum artifacts, the island dungeons, the descendants.

This full-day tour from Banjul follows the River Gambia to the historic sites of Jufureh, Albreda and Fort James–Kunta Kinteh Island, visiting slave museums and the ruins of a 16th-century fort. You travel by hotel pickup and ferry, cruise past Dog Island, and spend time on Kunta Kinteh Island itself, where you see the underground slave dungeon, cannons and meet descendants of those held there. Lunch and snacks are served on board. The guide speaks English throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore River Gambia and Historic Sites

• Pickup from hotels
• Travel to Banjul Ferry terminal
• Ferry to Barra
• Drive to Jufureh
• Visit slave museum in Jufureh
• Visit Fort James monument
• Boat to Kunta Kinteh Island
• Pass Dog Island
• Explore Fort James/Kunta Kinteh Island ruins
• Meet descendants of Kunta Kinteh
• Enjoy lunch and snacks on board

The experience

How do you get to the places Alex Haley wrote about in Roots? This tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in Banjul, then takes you to the ferry terminal to cross to Barra. From there, the drive leads to Jufureh, where the slave museum holds artifacts from the trade, maps of the routes to the Western world, and the history of the region laid out plainly. A monument to impossible freedom stands before you board the boat that will take you downriver.

The boat passes Dog Island on the way to Fort James–Kunta Kinteh Island, the main slave island from the 16th to 18th centuries. When you arrive, you walk through the ruins of the fort itself, descend into the underground slave dungeon, and see the cannons and shoreline. The island's descendants are there, and you meet them as part of the day. Lunch and snacks happen on board, so the eating fits into the rhythm of the travel rather than stopping it.

The full day runs from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, which gives the sites time to settle into memory rather than rushing past them. An air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included, along with all entrance fees and the guide's commentary in English.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Banjul.
• ferry passage to Barra.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• admission to the Jufureh slave museum and Fort James–Kunta Kinteh Island.
• lunch and snacks on board.
• bottled water and soda.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (under 6): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arch Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you follow the commentary and the history without translation. Families with infants can bring a pram or stroller, and small children sit on an adult's lap. The pace suits all fitness levels, as most of the day is spent traveling and standing at sites rather than hiking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is inside the slave museum in Jufureh?

The Jufureh slave museum holds artifacts from the slave trade in Gambia, plus maps and illustrations showing the routes taken from Gambia to the Western world. It documents the history of the trade itself.

Do we actually go inside Fort James–Kunta Kinteh Island, or just see it from the boat?

You land on Kunta Kinteh Island and walk through it. You see the ruins of the fort, go down into the underground slave dungeon, view the cannons and the shores, and meet descendants of those who were held there.

How do we get from Banjul to the river sites if we don't have a car?

Hotel pickup is included, and your driver takes you to the Banjul Ferry terminal. From there, a ferry carries you to Barra, and then the air-conditioned vehicle drives you to Jufureh. The boat journey to the island happens after.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary needs?

Lunch and snacks are served on board during the cruise. Bottled water and soda are also provided. Confirm any dietary requirements when you book so the operator can plan accordingly.

How long is the full day, and what time does it end?

The tour runs eight hours, from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. This allows time at each site without rushing, and you return to your hotel by early evening.