Major city · The Gambia
Kunta Kinteh Island
Visit as a half-day trip from the Atlantic Coast, not an overnight: the island is a 30-minute boat ride from Juffureh, and the ruins take 45 minutes to see.
Kunta Kinteh Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds the ruins of a British slave-trade fort. Erosion has shrunk the island to a sixth of its original size, but the stabilised ruins, skeletal baobabs and the nearby village of Juffureh make a sobering half-day. Most visitors come on a guided 'Roots' tour from the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GMD
- Best months
- Nov–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, river trips may be cancelled)
- Airport
- BJL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- The Gambia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Gambian government sources before booking.
- The Gambia ↗Dress modestly away from the beach: shoulders and knees covered in towns and villages.
- The Gambia ↗Keep about US$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kunta Kinteh Island117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kunta Kinteh Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (check).The Gambia-wide
- SIM or eSIMAfricell, QCell and Gamcel SIMs sold at the airport and shops; passport registration.The Gambia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled water everywhere.The Gambia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.The Gambia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.The Gambia-wide
- SafetyThe island itself is safe, but the approach via Juffureh can feel pushy with vendors.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; basic elsewhere.The Gambia-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 116 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday afternoon slows; Tobaski and Koriteh close shops; some hotels close Jul–Oct.The Gambia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBJL Banjul International Airport (About 1.5 h drive to the boat departure point at Juffureh).
- Getting aroundOn foot only — the island is tiny.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedGroup Roots tour (shared boat), a night, per personGMD 1,500
- Mid-range bedPrivate tour (car + boat + guide), a night, per personGMD 4,000
- High-end bedPrivate tour (car + boat + guide), a night, per personGMD 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GMD 2,000 · Mid GMD 3,500 · High GMD 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BJL Banjul International Airport (About 1.5 h drive to the boat departure point at Juffureh)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (15 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kunta Kinteh Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot only — the island is tiny. To reach it, you take a pirogue (motorised canoe) from Juffureh or Albreda on the north bank.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Juffureh
goDoor to door: 5 min
Boat from the island, 5 min
The village of Kunta Kinteh's Roots story; combine with the island.
Albreda
goDoor to door: 10 min
Boat from the island, 10 min
Former French trading post with a small museum.
Atlantic Coast
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Car from Juffureh, about 1.5 h
Return to your resort after the trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Atlantic Coast (Kololi, Kotu, Cape Point)
All accommodation is here; no lodging on the island.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- GMD 1,500–2,500 (tour + lunch)
- Mid
- GMD 2,500–4,000 (private tour)
- High
- GMD 4,000+ (private tour + driver)
Trip budget
| Private tour (car + boat + guide)2 × 1 night × GMD 4,000 | GMD 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GMD 3,500 | GMD 7,000 |
| Lunch at Juffureh (fish or chicken with rice)2 × GMD 500 | GMD 1,000 |
| Camera fee at the island2 × GMD 100 · check | GMD 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GMD 1,620 |
| Trip total≈ GMD 8,910 per person per day, bed included | GMD 17,820 |
check
2026 estimate in Gambian dalasi (GMD). Tours from the coast include transport, boat and guide.
Prices of common things
| Group Roots tour from Atlantic Coastcheck | GMD 1,500–2,500 |
| Private tour (car + boat + guide)check | GMD 3,000–6,000 |
| Pirogue crossing Juffureh → island (return)check | GMD 500–1,000 |
| Camera fee at the islandcheck | GMD 100 |
| Lunch in Juffureh | GMD 300–800 |
| Bottle of water | GMD 30–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Locals may approach aggressively selling crafts or asking for money; be firm but polite.
- Do not photograph anyone without permission — expect to be asked for payment.
- High tide and storms can splash waves against the ruins; check weather before booking.
- The island is eroding fast; what you see today may not be there in a decade.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 116
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
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Kunta Kinteh IslandKunta Kinteh Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ndundong ma JuffurehTake me to Juffureh landing
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance116
- Fire118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Group tour from Atlantic Coast: GMD 1,500–2,500, includes boat and guide (check)
- Private tour from Atlantic Coast: GMD 3,000–6,000, includes car, boat and guide (check)
- Pirogue Juffureh → island return: GMD 500–1,000 (check)
Say or show
- Salaam aleikum — Hello (sah-lahm ah-lay-koom)
- Jerejef — Thank you (jeh-reh-jeff)
- Jom a? — How much? (jom ah)
- Haa / Hani — Yes / No (hah / hah-nee)
Mandinka phrases are widely understood on the north bank.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kunta Kinteh Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, river trips may be cancelled) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Private guided tour with a historian from the National Centre for Arts and Culture.
- Combine with a visit to Fort Bullen and the Six Gun Battery at the river mouth.
- Overnight in Janjanbureh for the Wassu stone circles.
Sources
Ask about Kunta Kinteh Island
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