FATHALA WILDLIFE RESERVE (SAFARI) 

Fathala Safari from The Gambia | Giraffes & Rhinos - Fathala Wildlife Reserve - West Africa's Premier Safari - A full-day safari adventure featuring lions, elephants, antelopes, and warthogs. Expert guides lead guided game drives through pristine savanna. 

Full-day cross-border safari to Fathala Wildlife Reserve. Giraffes, white rhinos and antelope. Passport required. From €150, hotel pick-up included a game drive in Fathala Wildlife Reserve from The Gambia: giraffes, rhinos & antelope on a real African safari, just a short trip from the Gambian coast. Go on safari at Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Senegal. See lions, giraffes, rhinos, and antelopes in the wild. A must-do day trip from The Gambia for wildlife lovers. Cross the border into Senegal for an unforgettable close-encounter safari with lions, giraffes, rhinos, and more.

Just across the Senegalese border lies one of West Africa's finest wildlife reserves, Fathala, a stunning 6,000-hectare private reserve where giraffes roam freely, rhinos graze in the savanna, and the landscape feels like East Africa transported to the Atlantic coast. Your cross-border adventure begins at your hotel and takes you through the Gambian countryside before entering Senegal for a thrilling open-vehicle game drive. Fathala offers something truly rare in this part of the world: authentic African wildlife at close range, with optional lion encounter experiences for the brave at heart.

What You May Encounter:

·   Giraffes at very close range

·   White rhinoceros on the savanna

·   Zebras, antelopes & warthogs

·   Optional: Walk with lions (add-on)

·   Open-vehicle game drive

·   Guided by Fathala wildlife rangers

·   Lunch at a local village restaurant

·   Cross-border Gambia–Senegal experience

What's Included:

·   Return hotel transfers

·   Cross-border transport

·   Open-vehicle game drive

·   Park entry fees

·   Lunch at a local village restaurant

Good to Know:

·   Valid passport or ID required

·   Long day—early departure

·     Neutral-coloured clothing advised

The most booked tour with SenGambia—guests consistently rate this as life-changing.

FAQs

What animals can I see on the Fathala Wildlife Reserve safari? Fathala is a game reserve in Senegal, just across the border, home to lions, giraffes, white rhinos, and a range of antelope and plains game viewed on a guided game drive. It's the closest big-game safari experience to The Gambia's coastal resorts.

Do I need a visa or passport to visit Fathala, since it's in Senegal? Yes, Fathala Wildlife Reserve is located in Senegal, so you'll need a valid passport for the border crossing, and depending on your nationality, a visa may be required. We'll confirm entry requirements for your passport and handle the border logistics as part of the full-day tour.

How long does the Fathala safari take, and what's the schedule? It's a full-day excursion, typically 8–10 hours, including the drive to and from the border, the crossing itself, and the guided game drive within the reserve, starting from €150 per person. Most departures leave early morning to make the most of daylight and cooler game-viewing hours.

Is a walking safari or lion encounter included at Fathala? The core excursion is a vehicle-based game drive; walking safaris and closer lion encounters may be available as optional add-ons at the reserve for an additional fee that is not part of what we offer in this package. Let us know if you're interested, and we'll confirm current options and pricing before you book.

Is the Fathala safari suitable for guests with limited mobility? Yes, since most of the wildlife viewing happens from the safari vehicle, it's accessible to guests who can't manage long walks. Let us know about any specific mobility needs in advance so we can plan the day around them.

What Guests Say About this tour:

Kevin, USA: Lions in morning sun, giraffes eating from acacias, antelope herds. Open-sided vehicle, wind and smell. Real African safari, intimate and authentic. Best trip day.

Janet, New Zealand: Genuinely wild despite proximity to civilisation. Tracked rhinos on foot and saw jackals, warthogs, and incredible birds. Sunset over the savannah with animal calls. Incredible.

Peter, Denmark: Best value safari. Fewer vehicles, closer encounters, guides knowing every corner personally. Full-day game drive with everything from predators to antelope. Real experience.