The Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Gambia

Cooking with Mary

Duration: 3 Hours | Cost: £10 per person

Every day, you can see Mary preparing a traditional Gambian dish for our team, but if you really like cooking, you might want to join in and get your hands dirty. Well, you can! Mary is happy to teach you how to make the delicious Benachin, Yassa or Domoda yourself, and you get to eat it too!

Woodcarving with Malang

Duration: Flexible | Cost: By arrangement with Malang

Malang, our resident woodcarver, will help you create your own art. How about a local-style chair to take home with you? You can have any design you want on there, and it packs flat. Watch Malang’s work, buy one of his gorgeous creations, or collaborate to create your own unique carving every day. You can read more about Malang in our featured spotlight blog series.

Silversmithing With Bai

Duration: Flexible | Cost: By arrangement with Bai

Watch a time-honoured tradition come to life using only fire, goatskin bellows, a hammer, and an anvil. Bai Serin brings over 35 years of silver jewellery-making experience to the lodge every Saturday. Take home a custom, hand-forged piece of silver jewellery crafted right before your eyes. You can read more about Bai’s traditional craft in our featured spotlight blog series.

Basket Weaving With Fatou

Duration: 3 Hours | Cost: £20 per person

Spend a relaxing day learning the rhythmic art of basket weaving with Fatou. Craft a beautiful, durable basket from scratch. If you don’t manage to finish it during your session, Fatou will happily complete it for you! 100% of your workshop fee goes to Fatou’s local income to support community crafters.

Cotton Weaving with Ousman

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £10 per person

Discover the patience behind West African textiles. Spend an hour or two with Ousman learning how raw cotton is spun and woven into vibrant cloth on his traditional loom. Try weaving a section yourself! It takes an average of seven hours to make a single scarf. Read about [Ousman in our spotlight series]

Tailoring with Lamin

Duration: Flexible | Cost: By arrangement with Lamin

Many people are impressed by the colourful and flattering clothes the Gambians wear, and now you won’t have to leave the lodge to have them custom-made for you. Our on-site master tailor can craft anything you desire. Our team will happily take you market shopping for your favourite local fabrics, or you can let Anta create bespoke, vibrant tie-dye pieces to style just for you.

Learn To Play Kora With Jeli Yankuba

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £15 per person

How about mastering the 21 strings of the kora? This traditional West African stringed instrument produces a beautiful, hypnotic sound that forms the backbone of local storytelling and history. Spend two hours with master musician Jeli Yankuba learning basic chords and plucking patterns in a supportive environment right here at the lodge.

Learn To Play The Djembe With Jack’s Drumming Academy

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £15 per person

Discover the heartbeat of West Africa by learning the traditional Djembe drum. Drumming is a vital part of Gambian daily life, used for storytelling and community celebration. In this hands-on session with Jack’s Drumming Academy, you will learn foundational hand techniques and rhythmic patterns alongside expert instructors in a relaxed environment right here at the lodge.

Learn To Dance Like A local With Anceli, Fatou & Awa

Duration: 1 Hour | Cost: £10 per person

Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of West Africa! Dancing is a deeply rooted part of Gambian culture and community celebration.

Join our team members for a fun masterclass. They will guide you through traditional moves that leave you smiling and energised!

Indulge Yourself With An Hour Long Massage From Awa or Ami

Duration: 1 Hour | Cost: £20 per person

At Footsteps, we take your relaxation seriously. Tucked away in our lush gardens, you will find a secluded, cool, and peaceful house dedicated entirely to massage and beauty treatments.

You are on holiday—go ahead and let yourself be completely pampered!

Visit To A Reptile Centre

Duration: 1.5 Hours | Cost: £25 per person

Explore a well-preserved forest habitat with an expert handler to discover a fascinating protected collection of native Gambian reptiles. You will safely observe chameleons, turtles, and lizards up close, and even have the unique opportunity to handle a completely tamed, harmless python if you feel brave!

Abuko & Tanji Birdwatching Tour

Duration: Half-Day | Cost: £40 per person

Experience a sensory blend of pristine wildlife and local forest culture. Track playful monkeys and rare tropical birds through the shaded paths of Abuko Nature Reserve before heading to the beautiful Tanji coastline. This excursion offers a wonderful introduction to the region’s rich natural biodiversity.

Soloman’s Walk N Talk Eco Tour

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £15 per person

Set out on an immersive, educational walking tour through our surrounding local bush trails alongside our brilliant guide, Solomon. You will discover the traditional medicinal uses of native plants, learn about conservation efforts, and spot beautiful bird species while chatting about daily life in the community.

Lazy Day River-Cruise

Duration: Full Day | Cost: £25 per person

Board a spacious, traditional Gambian pirogue for a relaxing cruise along the beautiful River Gambia. Spend a day swimming, sunbathing, and fishing out on the water. This special trip includes a fresh breakfast and a delicious local lunch, with all proceeds raised going directly to support local animal rescue.

Kayaking in Tanji

Duration: 3 Hours | Cost: £60 per person

Paddle at your own pace through the calm waters of the Tanji Creek system. This eco-friendly kayaking adventure takes you deep into lush mangrove habitats, offering a completely silent, undisturbed way to view local marine life and spot a variety of colourful resident and migratory birds. Inc Transport

Sunrise or Sunset Boat Trip

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £30 per person

Experience the tranquil magic of the river at its most beautiful moments. Glide gently past scenic islands and quiet wetlands just as the sun rises or sets across the horizon. It is a peaceful, camera-friendly excursion that includes light refreshments, coffee, and local herbal tea served on board. Inc Transport

Visit Local Fishing Centre

Duration: Half-Day | Cost: £30 per person

Visit the vibrant Gunjur Fishing Centre to witness a crucial hub of the local economy and daily life. Watch the spectacular sight of colourful wooden fishing boats arriving on the shore, see the traditional seaside smoking houses in action, and optionally visit our local community school nearby to meet the children. Inc Transport

Kunta Kinteh Island Trip

Duration: Full Day | Cost: £85 per person

Journey upriver on an important historical pilgrimage to Juffureh and Kunta Kinteh Island, made famous by the book and film “Roots”. You will explore the historic colonial ruins, visit the local museum, and learn about the transatlantic slave trade from expert guides. Includes all transport and lunch.

Be A Dog Ranger For A Day!

Duration: 3–4 Hours | Cost: £25 per person

Set off on a pushbike to Gunjur village alongside our mobile animal welfare rangers. You will assist with daily care, public education, and raising health standards for local dogs. It is an unforgettable way to experience authentic village life. 100% of proceeds go directly to support the Gunjur Dog Patrol.

Visit Jalla Kurundingoto

Duration: Half-Day | Cost: £20 per person

Take an eye-opening, guided walk into the heart of our surrounding neighbourhood. You will meet friendly local families in their compounds, learn about the traditions of Gambian home life, and see how our close-knit rural community thrives. A trip for true cultural exchange and understanding.

Culture Day Market Trip

Duration: Half-Day | Cost: £40 per person

Immerse your senses in the sights, sounds, and vibrant colours of a bustling Gambian market town. Led by your lodge guide, you will navigate the lively stalls of fabric sellers, spice merchants, and traditional crafters. It is a fantastic opportunity to practice your bartering skills and pick up local souvenirs.

Visit A Women’s Initiative

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: £30 per person

Tour a fantastic community farm run entirely by local Gambian women. You will see how they sustainably cultivate organic fruits and vegetables, and learn how they craft their famous, delicious homemade Mango Jam. Every visit directly helps fund their community agricultural equipment and schooling.

Saine’s Pottery Workshop

Duration: Half-Day | Cost: 1,500 GMD

Head out to a traditional pottery workshop to learn the ancient art of shaping clay by hand. Under the patient guidance of master potter Saine, you will learn clay-prep, wheel techniques, and open-fire baking methods. Best of all, you get to craft and take home your very own unique Gambian clay vessel.

Beach Clean-Up Day

Duration: 2 Hours | Cost: Free / Volunteer

Give back to the beautiful coastline that makes our region so special. Join fellow eco-conscious travelers and local lodge staff for a rewarding morning walk along the shore to keep our beaches pristine and protect marine wildlife. We provide all the bags and gloves—you just bring the passion!