Our first aim in the Gambia was to travel to Wassu in the eastern part of the country, along the river Gambie. From the Senegal-Gambia border, the drive took about 5 hours. It was hot and long, plus we got stopped many times along the road by police asking for bribes. I must admit that I missed some of the scenery because I fell asleep in the car.
When we arrived at the guesthouse, we had a quick lunch then we went out for the afternoon to do some sightseeing. First, we went on a boat ride on the river Gambie. We were looking for wildlife on Baboon island and also in the water. The most exciting part was seeing two hippos playing in the mangroves. We could hear and see them but it was too shaded to take photos. There were many chimpanzees and monkeys in the trees, different types of birds, and local men fishing. However, we did not spot any crocodiles.
After our boat cruise, we visited the Wassu Stone Circles, a Unesco Heritage site and the picture on the 50 dalasi bank note. It is a beautiful and magical place. It was also pretty empty so we really go to enjoy the peacefulness there. Our local guide was fantastic and friendly. And we could go right up to the stones and even touch them.
Highlights
- Wassu Stone Circles Unesco Heritage Site
- Boat ride on the River Gambie to Baboon island and looking for wildlife including birds, chimpanzees, monkeys, hippos and crocodiles
- Chimp rehabilitation centre
Before you go
- Take insect repellent as there are bugs and mosquitos
- Weather is very hot in this inland area
- Water is limited so you may need to have a wet wipe shower
- Bring water on the boat
Transport
- Getting around the Gambia is easiest with an experienced driver. There are no taxis in this area
- There are some public buses, and although they are cheap, they are very crowded and do not usually have air conditioning
Accommodation
- We stayed at the Reliable Guesthouse in Wassu for our first night in the Gambia. The owner was very welcoming though made some very racist and sexist jokes. He was quite a character
- The rooms were basic but clean, and the bedroom had air conditioning
- Although there was an en suite bathroom, there was hardly any water so we had to use wet wipes instead of a shower
- There was power and wifi, but wifi was weak
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Booking.com or using AirBnB
Food
We had all of our meals in Wassu at the guesthouse, since there were no restaurants around. The restaurants tend to be at the accommodation in this area.
We had fish yassa for lunch with a huge plate of rice. We had to buy some extra water, and luckily it was nice and cod.
For dinner, we had grilled fish and salad. The fish was tasty but mostly bones.
My favourite meal was breakfast when we had omelette sandwiches. Fresh baguettes and hot omelettes were delicious and filling to start the day.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: Yes, it is useful to have a guide and driver to get to and around Wassu. Also, we had a local guide for the boat trip who was great at spotting wildlife. We also had an additional guide from the guesthouse, but he barely spoke to us except to ask us for a tip (less necessary). And we had a great guide at Wassu Stone Circles!
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, most people speak English as that is the official language
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: No, I would not recommend it unless you have a local guide and/or driver
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