Towards Sanyang

5 minutes’ walk from the lodge you will come to the beautiful and largely deserted Batokunku Beach. If you turn left at the beach you can walk through Tujereng and onto Sanyang. This will take at least 2-3 hours. There are local beach bars once you get to Sangyang where you can have lunch. You can either walk back or take a taxi from the Sanyang Fishing Village. Expect to pay 600-800GMD. Further on from the fishing village towards Gunjur there are several beach bars – this is a more demanding walk.

Towards Tanji

If you turn right at the beach you can walk to the hustle and bustle of the Tanji Fishing Centre and Market. This will take 2-3 hours. You can either walk back or take a taxi from Tanji (300-400 GMD).

What you can see

Fisher folk maintaining their colorfully painted boats (pirogues). Fish when a boat lands its catch. Herders tending their cattle. Depending on the season you might see women and children collecting clams in the sand at low tide. Behind the beach in several places especially towards Sanyang there are freshwater bodies resulting from sand mining. These provide new habitats for highly diverse species of waterfowl including Purple Swamphen, Herons, Kingfishers, Egrets, Spur Winged Goose, White Faced Whistling Duck, Knob Billed Duck, Terns, Gulls, Cormorants, Snipe, African Darter, African Spoonbill, Plover, Kites, Lark etc. Along the beach you can see Plover, Greenshank, Curlew, Terns, Gulls, Ruddy Turnstone Osprey, Pelicans, Vultures etc. If lucky you might see dolphin or an Osprey fishing.

What you can do

Relax in the peace and vastness of the ocean. Swimming – At certain times of the year there are powerful rip tides so be sensible and test the strength of the current. Sunbathing. Photography. Bird watching. Picnic – If you would like to take a picnic, please let us know. Sundowners – We recommend Teranga Beach Bar (Babou’s) which is the closest to the lodge.

Total Cost

Free. Extras: Binoculars 300 GMD per pair. Picnic 1,000 GMD per person plus cost of drinks.

What to take

Sunhat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Insect repellent, Passport, Water.

Gambia boasts a wide variety of sport fish in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Gambia River and its creeks. These include Barracuda, Croakers (locally known as Lady Fish and Cassava Fish), Threadfin Salmon (Captain Fish), Butter Fish, Red Snapper, Trevally Jack, Tarpon etc. We can arrange a boat (Orkney), tackle and an excellent knowledgeable Captain. He will go where the fish are biting which might include offshore from the historic Fort Bullen in the mouth of the Gambia River or elsewhere. If lucky you might see Bottlenose Dolphins and Turtles. We recommend you take a packed lunch. You can keep any fish you catch, and we can prepare it for you at the lodge. We recommend that you offer some of the catch to the captain. Tackle ranges from 20-30lb Class Boat Rods with 5000 class saltwater reels with 40lb braid unless fishing for Tarpon or Guinea Barracuda that require a heavier set up. Tactics include trolling with lures, live and dead baiting, prawns, and crabs. Do not touch any catfish. These have serrated dorsal and pectoral fins that can easily get embedded in a finger or arm – extremely painful. Allow the captain to handle the fish when caught.

Total Cost

5,000 GMD total plus taxi at 1800 GMD return. Extras: Binoculars 300 GMD per pair. Packed lunch 1,000 GMD per person plus cost of drinks.

What to take

Sunhat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Insect repellent, Passport, Water.

This is a relaxing river trip in an estuary of outstanding natural beauty along the border with Senegal (Casamance).

Distance

30-40 mins drive 32 KM.

Total time required

2-4 hours including travel. If you want to stay longer and extend any activity, please let us know.

What you will see

Birds including Ospreys, Pelicans, African Fish Eagle, Palm Nut Vulture, African Spoon Bill, Yellow Billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Greenshank, African Darter, Ruddy Turnstone, Sand Piper, Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Terns, Bee-Eaters, Ducks etc. You might see West African Crocodiles.

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What you can see

Fisher folk maintaining their boats, Oyster and clam Collectors depending on season, local fishermen going out to see, fish smoking – please ask the guide for anything you want to see.

What you can do

Relax and just watch the world go by on the river in the boat (covered) Angling – Please let us know in advance so equipment and bait can be provided. Catches can include Captain Fish, Red Snapper, White Snapper (Sunpat), Barracuda, Lady Fish, Cassava Fish, Catfish.

Ideal for photography (Please ask guide for advice on photographing people).Lunch before or after the trip at Doudou’s Riverside Bar and Restaurant – We recommended the seafood platter or fish and chips. The bar is limited – We can provide specific drinks if requested.Picnic – If you would like us to provide a picnic, please let us know.

Total Cost

4,100 GMD boat and taxi. Extras: Binoculars 300 GMD per pair. Fishing equipment including bait 2,800 GMD. Picnic 1,000 GMD per person plus cost of drinks.

What to take

Sun hat, Sunscreen, Sun Glasses, Insect repellent, Passport, water.

This is a totally relaxing experience. You will be welcomed with a coffee or tea on a covered wooden boat – pirogue. You will leisurely explore the mangrove creeks of the River Gambia and may have the option of going to the craft market at Lamin Lodge. Lunch will be provided on board. You also have the option of sunbathing on a lounger above deck, swimming from the boat, and fishing. Boats have a small bar, water, and soft drinks for sale. If there is anything you particularly want, please let us know. You can expect to leave the lodge at 9AM/0930AM for departure from Denton Bridge at 11AM and begin your return journey to the lodge at 4PM/5PM.

What you can see

Mangrove ecosystem. Wide variety of birds. Women collecting Oysters. Relax. Music. Swimming. Sunbathing. Photography. Bird watching. Fishing. Reading.

Total Cost

2,000-3,000 GMD per person plus taxi at 1800 GMD return. Minimum numbers required, unless whole boat booked. Extras: Binoculars 300 GMD per pair.

What to take

Sunhat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Insect repellent, Passport, Water.

This is the experience of a lifetime for the adventurous. Hard fighting and acrobatic, Tiger Fish are on every angler’s bucket list. The good and little-known news is they are here in the freshwater reaches of the Gambia River. The scenery is spectacular and wild. If you don’t want to go fishing, we can help arrange your trip anyway. The banks abound with diverse flora and wildlife including Colobus Monkeys, Guinea Baboons, Callithrix Monkeys, and amazing birdlife including Bateleur Eagles, African Fish Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Vultures, Egyptian Plover, Spur Winged Geese, White-Faced Whistling Ducks, Cranes, African Finfoot, Parrots, Oriole Warbler, Bee-eaters etc. The tackle is moderate to hard action spinning rods with 30-40lb braided line. You can expect to see hippos, monitor lizards, crocodiles, and freshwater tortoise. If lucky you might see Warthog and Antelope. An additional day can be included to visit the River Gambia National Park (Baboon Island) where you can see Chimpanzees in the wild – or replace the fishing with this. Tactics include trolling with lures, live and dead baiting. Allow the captain to handle the fish when landed and unhooked. Tiger Fish are notoriously hard to hook – the captain is tried and tested and knows what he’s doing to maximize hook ups. We recommend three full days for this trip including two overnights at a basic but comfortable and clean river side camp – Bansang (if available) is more comfortable than current Janjanbureh options. Other species that can be targeted include Vundu Catfish and African Pike.

Total Cost

40,000 GMD total for three days (subject to change). This includes 4x4 car, driver, accommodation, tackle, bait, boat/captain and 3 standard meals per day. Extras: Binoculars 300 GMD per pair. Cost of drinks - We can provide wine, beers, and spirits to take with you which may not otherwise be locally available.

What to take

Sunhat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Insect repellent, Passport, Water. Fleece in case of chilly mornings or evenings.