Immersive Experiences For Eco-travellers
FairPlay Gambia offers a unique range of eco-tourism experiences and activities around the Central and Upper River Regions of The Gambia.
Based in Janjanbureh, we specialise in tailor-made, authentically African adventures for solo travellers and small groups who want to get off the beaten track and discover the real Gambia.
From boat trips, hiking, kayaking, and bird-watching, village visits, and hands-on workshops in local skills, we invite you to experience nature and culture side by side—guided by locals who know the land and river better than anyone.
As a social enterprise, every trip you take with us contributes directly to community development and sustainable livelihoods in the region.
From Sunset Cruises to Full River Journeys
We offer everything from three-hour sunset cruises to multi-day expeditions running the full length of the River Gambia, from Banjul to Basse.
Whether you’re after a short, scenic outing or an in-depth journey through changing landscapes and communities, we can shape the trip to match your time, interests, and sense of adventure.
If you’ve already been to Janjanbureh or want to discover a different side of the river, we offer fully flexible itineraries that go beyond the usual highlights.
From lesser-known villages and birdwatching hotspots to special interest trips focused on culture, wildlife, or community projects—we’re always happy to design something unique.
Just get in touch and let us know what kind of adventure you’re looking for.
Sleep on-board
The Fula Princess – A Fond Farewell, and a New Beginning. The Fula Princess was a traditional Gambian pirogue that became beloved for offering slow, immersive journeys along the River Gambia. Designed with comfort and intimacy in mind, she accommodated four guests in two full-sized double berths below deck, with the added option of sleeping under the stars on the upper deck.
On board, travellers enjoyed thoughtful amenities including a marine toilet, sit-down shower, galley, solar lighting, refrigeration, charging facilities, and all necessary safety equipment
Sleep Ashore
In the meantime, we continue to offer day trips and multi-day river adventures aboard our day boat.
Giving you the same great experiences but combined with overnight stays in carefully selected riverside lodges (budget options available).
Along the way, there’s the chance to spot hippos in the wild, and to meet the rangers at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, and see the rescued chimpanzees living freely on their river islands—a truly memorable experience.
What else can you do?
There’s plenty to experience beyond the river. Join us for guided hiking adventures through farmlands, forest paths and remote villages, where you’ll gain insight into local life and natural environments. Try kayaking for a peaceful, up-close look at the water’s edge, or dive into cultural workshops where you can learn traditional cooking, music, crafts or even try your hand at fishing the Gambian way. Bird-watchers will find rich habitats teeming with life, and every activity is designed to be personal, authentic and enriching. Whether you’re here for adventure, relaxation or discovery, we’ll help you create a journey that fits your interests and your pace.
Hippo Bush Camp
Tucked away on the tranquil banks of the River Gambia, Hippo Bush Camp offers a truly off-grid experience for nature lovers, adventurers, and those seeking peace in a wild, beautiful setting. Located on Janjanbureh Island, our camp is a haven of simple, sustainable living, immersed in the rhythms of the river and forest.
The camp is FairPlay Gambia’s latest offering, which means your stay directly supports local livelihoods, community-based tourism, and environmental stewardship. Here, you’ll find no concrete hotels or swimming pools—just authentic Gambian hospitality, shady trees, campfire evenings, and the soothing sounds of nature.
Hiking
FairPlay has been developing several hiking and cycling trails from Janjanbureh and further afield, that take you deep into the heart of rural Gambia.
Experience the fascinating wildlife, traditional culture and a warm Gambian welcome as you explore areas rarely visited by travellers. A Gambia hiking trails adventure with FairPlay Gambia is a unique way to experience the majestic landscapes, ancient culture, remote villages and fascinating wildlife to be found around the Central and Upper River Regions.
We offer a range of day treks from your lodge in Janjanbureh or Lamin Koto, as well as multi-night expeditions deep into the surrounding communities.
Kayaking
Kayaking with FairPlay is a chance to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the River Gambia in perfect peace and at your own pace.
We offer a range of trips to suit all levels of fitness and experience, from half-day local paddling to multi-night expeditions in tents, lodges and local homestays.
Along the way, you will enjoy incredible wildlife and have the chance to visit local communities. UK instructors trained our friendly, professional guides and they have an in-depth knowledge of the river and surrounding communities.
They can offer basic instruction and safety assessments for beginners.
Birding
Bird-watching in The Gambia is an unforgettable experience, with a huge variety of habitats and species crammed into a small area. Birding on the River Gambia with FairPlay offers a unique chance to experience the full range of what can be found in the inland areas, both on and off the river.
- Why FairPlay for Birding?
- Wake up in nature
- Visit the best birding sites both on the river & off
- Top birding guide or bring your own
- Explore new places that only we visit
- Environmental & socially conscious company
- Read more…
The River Gambia
The River Gambia runs from its source in the Fouta Jallon highlands, 1,120 km to the Atlantic Ocean at Banjul. The last approximately 420 km of which are in The Gambia. It contains or supports some of the most pristine environments in West Africa. These include The River Gambia National Park and the Bao Bolong Wetlands.
The freshwater habitats of the River Gambia around Kuntaur and Eastwards are home to Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Turtles, Warthog, Hyenas, African clawless otters, monitor lizards and four species of primates including Guinea baboons. The saltwater habitats nearer to the coast have two species of dolphin, saltwater crocodiles and even manatees. The country as a whole boasts a huge diversity of bird species for its small size.
From pre-colonial days until recently, the river was the main route for people/goods travelling to and from the provinces. These days tarmac roads have replaced the bush tracks and the bus service has replaced the riverboats. Leaving the river unused apart from a few fishermen and the peanut barges that still carry the annual harvest downriver.
The River Gambia National Park is situated to the West of Janjanbureh and was established in 1978.
It includes the five ‘Baboon Islands’, three of which are home to more than 80 chimpanzees.
The animals have been rescued from the illegal trade in exotic species as part of Stella Marsden’s Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project and now live undisturbed on the islands.
While it is not permitted (or safe!) to land on the islands, it is possible to walk on the mainland with the park rangers to look for the endangered Temminck’s red colobus monkeys and to learn more about the rehabilitation project.
Eco-Tourism
As a social enterprise, FairPlay strives to ensure that our style of ecotourism brings benefits to the local community. And minimises damage to the environment and supports the development of The Gambia as a whole. We believe in people over profit. Employing local people as far as possible and always on fair terms. We try to use local, sustainable products whenever they are available and prioritise ethical suppliers in our purchasing decisions.
We’ve been involved in supporting various projects in and around Janjanbureh. These include bee-keeping training, forestry projects, educational sponsorship, kayaking training for local youths, football academies and much more. Want to know more? Or would like to involve yourself with a community project in the area, we can also arrange volunteer placements.
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Our latest blog posts
- Self-drive to JanjanburehThinking of hiring a self-drive car? Thanks everyone for the great response to the public transport… Read more: Self-drive to Janjanbureh
- Public transportWe often get asked about public transport from the tourism enclaves at the coast to our… Read more: Public transport
- Gambia’s wildlife, the big five!Gambia’s wildlife, most people are aware of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ land animals. It was a term… Read more: Gambia’s wildlife, the big five!