In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · The Gambia
Janjanbureh
Go for 2 nights as a guided overnight from the coast: the Wassu stone circles and River Gambia National Park are the reasons, not the town itself.
Janjanbureh is a quiet island town on the Gambia River, 280 km upriver from the coast. Its main draws are the Senegambian stone circles (UNESCO) and boat trips to the Baboon Islands for chimpanzees. Most travellers visit as a 2-night guided excursion from the Atlantic Coast resorts. The town itself has a market and a colonial-era prison but no major sights.
- Country
- The Gambia
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season; roads may be difficult)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GMD
- Money
- Currency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (check). Cards work in larger hotels; most other payments are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget GMD 1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid GMD 2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High GMD 4,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Africell, QCell and Gamcel SIMs sold at the airport and shops; passport registration.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Ambulance 116 · Fire 118
- Plugs
- Types G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin; power cuts happen — hotels have generators.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% if no service charge.; Guide day: 300–500 GMD or €5–10.; Driver day: 300–500 GMD.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; bottled water everywhere.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels; basic elsewhere.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Minibus Banjul–Janjanbureh | GMD 300–500 |
| Taxi from south bank road to town | GMD 200–400 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | GMD 30–50 |
| Local meal (rice with fish or chicken) | GMD 150–300 |
| Beer (local) | GMD 80–120 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BJL · Banjul International Airport
- About 4–5 h by road to Janjanbureh; most visitors arrange a transfer or join a tour from the coast.
Typical fares
- Minibus Banjul–Janjanbureh
- GMD 300–500, about 4–5 h (check)
- Taxi from south bank road to town
- GMD 200–400
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot in town. For the stone circles (22 km (14 mi) north-west) and River Gambia National Park, you need a taxi or a guided tour with a vehicle. Arrange through your accommodation.On foot in town. For the stone circles (14 mi (22 km) north-west) and River Gambia National Park, you need a taxi or a guided tour with a vehicle. Arrange through your accommodation.
See and do
Known for
- Senegambian stone circles (UNESCO)
- River Gambia National Park and chimpanzees
- Quiet island setting on the Gambia River
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Senegambian stone circles (Wassu) | Taxi from Janjanbureh, about 30 min to the ferry crossing, then 20 min on the north bank | About 1–1.5 h one way |
| River Gambia National Park (Baboon Islands) | Boat from Kuntaur, about 20 min upriver | About 30 min from Janjanbureh to Kuntaur, then 20 min boat |
Sleep
- Janjanbureh town
- A few guesthouses and lodges; basic but adequate for an overnight stay.
- Kuntaur area (north bank)
- Closer to the stone circles and boat departure points; check availability.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Salaam aleikumsa-laam a-lay-kum |
| Thank you | Jerejefje-re-jef |
| How much? | Ñata?nya-ta |
| Yes / No | Haa / Hanihaa / ha-ni |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Take time over hellos; avoid: Rushing into requests
- Hands: Right hand only; avoid: Left-hand giving
- Dress: Cover up in towns; avoid: Beachwear in Banjul
- Bumsters: Firm, friendly no; avoid: Anger
Scams and watch-outs
- Minibuses from Banjul/Serekunda only leave when full; expect delays.
- The stone circles are spread out; a guide helps locate the main cluster.
- Boat trips to Baboon Islands depend on water levels and weather; confirm the day before.
- No ATMs in Janjanbureh; bring enough dalasi from Banjul or Serekunda.
Janjanbureh is generally safe, but avoid walking alone after dark. The main risks are road accidents on unlit roads and petty theft in markets. Keep valuables out of sight.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Janjanbureh yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Senegambian stone circles (UNESCO)
- River Gambia National Park and chimpanzees
- Quiet island setting on the Gambia River
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Janjanbureh, revision 5077039 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5077039
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/janjanbureh). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.