Frequent Q&A 

Q: What tours do you offer in The Gambia?

A: We offer 24+ excursions across The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau — from Fathala wildlife safaris and River Gambia hippo boat trips to the historic Roots journey to Kunta Kinteh Island, birdwatching (560+ species), authentic home cooking with a local family, river cruises, kayaking, and multi-day safari packages. All tours include hotel transfers and a licensed local guide. See our full list at sengambiaexperiencetours.com or WhatsApp us to discuss which tour suits you best.

Q: Do you include hotel pickup and drop-off?

A: Yes — return hotel transfers are included on every single tour we operate. We pick you up from your hotel in the Senegambia, Kololi, Kotu, Bakau or Banjul area and drop you back afterwards. For our upcountry tours (Tendaba, Janjanbureh, River Gambia experience), we collect you from your accommodation and return you at the end of the day. Just provide your hotel name when booking.

Q: Are your tours suitable for families with young children?

A: Most of our tours are suitable for families, including young children — the Lazy Day River Cruise, Banjul City Tour, Abuko Nature Reserve, Camel Safari, School Visits, and Cooking with Ida are all particularly popular with families. Longer tours like the River Gambia Experience (hippos and chimps) are best for children 8 and over. The Bijagos Islands expedition is not suitable for children under 12. When booking, just mention your children's ages and we will recommend the best options.

Q: How do I book? Can I book online?

A: The easiest way to book is via our website or WhatsApp — message us your preferred tour, date, number of people, and hotel name and we confirm within a few hours. You can also book through our website at sengambiaexperiencetours.com or through our online listings. We accept payment on confirmation — no large upfront deposits.

Q: What is the Fathala Safari, and is it worth it?

A: The Fathala Wildlife Reserve Safari is a full-day cross-border trip from The Gambia into Senegal to see free-roaming giraffes, white rhinoceros, zebras, and antelopes on an open-vehicle game drive. It is our most-booked excursion and consistently our highest-rated tour. Lunch at the reserve restaurant is included, as are all transfers, guide, and entry fees. A passport is required. The optional lion walk (extra cost) is available for those wanting an even more extraordinary encounter. Yes — it is absolutely worth it.

Q: Do I need a passport for any of the tours?

A: A valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) is required for the Fathala Safari (crosses into Senegal) and the Bijagos Islands expedition (Guinea-Bissau). All other tours operate within The Gambia and do not require a passport. We handle all border crossing logistics — you just need your document. If your passport is unavailable, we have plenty of excellent Gambia-only alternatives.

Q: Are you a licensed and registered tour operator?

A: Yes — SenGambia Experience Tours is a fully licensed Gambian tour operator registered with the Gambia Tourism Authority. We have been operating since 2021 and have won industry recognition for our sustainable, community-first approach to tourism. All our guides hold current Gambia Tourism Authority guide licences. We are also an award-winning operator — ask us for details when you book.

Q: Is birdwatching in The Gambia really that good?

A: The Gambia is ranked among the world's top 10 birdwatching destinations and has over 560 recorded species despite being one of Africa's smallest countries. It sits on a major migratory flyway and packs extraordinary habitat diversity — mangrove creeks, gallery forest, coastal wetlands, and open savanna — into a tiny area. Experienced birders regularly record 300–400 species on a week-long visit. Our birdwatching guide has 8+ years of specialist experience and tailors every session to your target list. October to April is peak season.

Q: What does "Cooking with Ida" involve exactly?

A: This is one of our most unique experiences — not a restaurant cooking class but a genuine invitation into a Gambian family home. You visit the local market with Ida to choose ingredients, then go to her family compound where you cook traditional Gambian dishes together (Benachin, Domoda, or Plasas depending on the season). When the meal is ready, you sit down and eat together as family. Maximum 6 guests. Vegetarian versions available. Every booking supports Ida's family directly. Guests consistently call it the highlight of their entire Gambia trip.

Q: What is the best time of year to visit The Gambia for wildlife?

A: The dry season from November to April is the best time for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and river tours. The weather is dry, the roads are accessible, animals concentrate around water sources (making sightings easier), and the migratory birds have arrived. December to February is peak season — book well in advance. The green season (June–October) has lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some upcountry tours are affected by rain. We operate year-round and can advise on the best options for any time of year.

Q: Can you organise private tours for our group?

A: Absolutely — all our tours can be run as private group departures for couples, families, friend groups, and corporate or educational parties. Private tours allow us to fully customise the itinerary, pace, language, dietary requirements, and specific interests of your group. We frequently run private bespoke multi-day programmes for groups of 4–20 people. WhatsApp us with your group size, dates, interests, and budget and we will design an itinerary within 24 hours.

Q: How far in advance should I book?

A: For half-day and full-day tours, booking 3–7 days in advance is usually sufficient outside peak season. During November–March peak season, the Fathala Safari, Lazy Day Cruise, and Cooking with Ida regularly sell out 2–3 weeks ahead — book as early as possible. For multi-day packages and the Bijagós Islands expedition, we recommend booking at least 6–8 weeks in advance. We always try to accommodate last-minute requests — WhatsApp us and we will do our best.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: We offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before your tour for most excursions. For multi-day packages and the Bijagós expedition, cancellation terms vary — please ask when booking. We understand that travel plans change, and we always try to find a solution that works — including rescheduling to a different date or switching to another tour. If we cancel due to weather or operational reasons, a full refund or alternative date is always offered.

Q: Are your tours sustainable and ethical?

A: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. All our guides are local Gambians — your money goes directly into the community. We work with local restaurants, local craft producers, and local accommodation providers. Our school visits, community cooking experiences, and village tours are designed in partnership with the communities involved, ensuring they benefit directly and have full control over how visits work. We do not offer any experiences involving captive animals. We are committed to "Travel with a Purpose".

Q: Do you offer airport transfers?

A: Yes — we offer reliable airport transfers from Banjul International Airport to all major hotel areas, including Senegambia, Kololi, Kotu, Bakau, and further destinations. We meet you in arrivals with a name board and assist with luggage. Transfers can be booked alongside any tour package or as a standalone service. WhatsApp us your flight details and hotel name to arrange — we recommend booking in advance to guarantee availability, especially on busy arrival days.