Lower Gambia River

Introducing Lower Gambia River

This stretch of the Gambia River roughly covers the Gambian provinces of North Bank and Lower River. Take a pirogue to the Unesco World Heritage listed James Island, in the middle of the river, where the crumbling fort and baobab trees are an atmospheric reminder of the brutal slave trade that once plagued this part of Africa. Nearby Jufereh is the village to which Roots author Alex Haley traced his African ancestors. The far more civilised animal kingdom can be observed in all its glory further upriver at the Kiang West National Park. The Gambia's largest park is home to an ark-like variety of creatures from baboons to warthogs. The lucky few might even spot a dolphin or two in the river and the range of birdlife, particularly waterbirds, is astounding.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009