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An island in the River Gambia in Central River Region
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Accessed by south road via the bridge on to the island
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Accessed by north road via Banjul Barra ferry, the ferry on to island at Lamin Kotu
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Accessed by River Gambia
Learn about kayaking opportunities in Janjanbureh with our own Dave Adams
Janjanbureh Uniting Sustainable Tourism
and Community Training
Charity No: XT21437
Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival - 15th/16th Jan 2018
For initial contact please ring any of these licensed tour guides
Musa Foon: (00220)7613223 (00220)3931344
Mohammed Kebbeh: (00220)7965796
Omar Jammeh: (00220)2222446
This page is designed to be a reference page to all those interested in visiting Janjanbureh for this Festival on January 16th 2018
It is mainly compiled from information available elsewhere and brought together as a resource and reference and in particular
Just Act Gambia do not claim to be organising this event but members of the NYC/RYC registered youth group, Just Act, are involved in the event as trained licensed tour guides
UPDATE: Jan 3rd.Most lodges are now fully booked but home stays are available @approx 200d per person per night. Contact above for more details
Why a Kankurang Festival in Janjanbureh?
"Purpose and expected outcomes
There is growing evidence that there is a demand for new forms of tourism which are more culturally and community based than in the past. Many people now want experiences rather than sights; doing rather than looking and taking part rather than acting as a spectator. The Janjanburay Kankurang and Masquerade Festival will provide such a unique experience to visitors.
The main purpose of the festival is to showcase the unique cultural expression of the Kankurang and other masking traditions of West Africa so that the Island will gain visibility and attract more and more visitors who would like to experience an intangible authentic cultural heritage"
The Festival is part of the larger two week Mboka Festival
Read about it here
Many visitors will be coming through the NGO Naturefriends
Find out about…...
The Kankurang Festival is the beginning of developing Janjanbureh as
"an appealing and second destination in The Gambia by shifting from the traditional form (Sun, Sand and Sea) to more of Nature, Heritage and Cultural tourism........ To minimise rural urban drift and maximise the economy of rural youths by creating and enabling the environment through capacity building in enhancing delivery of excellent services and adding value to guests’ experience…"
The start of this development is being assisted by Tour Guide Training
13 youths have been trained in Nov/Dec 17 as tour guides by YEP in coordination with NYC/RYC in readiness to provide excellent services. Some of our previous tour guides have undergone this training and new youths are added.
Further training of some of our guides is continuing as Trainers of Trainers as they move to different areas of the country to develop sustainable tourism.
Accommodation -This section is still being updated or please ask for updates from the contacts at the head of the page
Prices are per person.
Janjanbureh Camp D400 is situated on the north bank off the island
All the following are easily accessible within the town
Baobolong Camp D600 +220 764 8844 See more on their Facebook page. It is situated off the main thoroughfare but easily accessible. Its grounds run down to the river bank.
Baobolong Camp, is a private established business in Janjanbureh run by young and dynamic management with comfort services. The camp was established in the late 80's to provide people with accommodation services among others."
Baobalong Beach Bar D700 This is situated right on the the river bank overlooking the north bank ferry to Lamin Kotu. It is runs in conjunction with Baobalong Camp where the evening meal is available.
Baobolong Annex D800 / D500 is in the main street
Social security D500 is
Education Guest House D500
Talamanka D400 +220722 4674
Forestry Guest House D400
Last minute bookings?
Many lodges are now fully booked. However homesteads can be arranged or tented accommodation. Alternatively stay in luxury on the banks of the river in his beautifully built Fula Princess boat.
Please contact Dave Adams -Fair Play Gambia 00220 315292.or any of the contacts above.
Transport to Janjanbureh
Public Transport
Super Express runs from Kanifing and leaves at 8am and is the only timetabled form of transport. The journey takes approximately 5hrs. Air conditioned and with no standing, it is a pleasant journey with few stops. There is a stop at Jarra Soma allowing a toilet break and time to purchase local food.
You may make your own arrangements with fares @ 350D or seats can be booked by the Just Act Tour Guide team. Arrangements can be made for you to be met if you wish and taken to your chosen accommodation. The total cost including admin fees would be 500d each way
To arrange this please ring any of the numbers at the head of the page
They will prebook for you and payment can be made to Just Act upon arrival.
For your peace of mind the return journey should be pre-booked as, if full before reaching Janjanbureh, the Super Express will not come on to the island. You can then use other forms of transport.
Sept Plas runs from Bunding bus station
This runs to YBK (Yorro Barri Kunda) and costs 400d. This is south of the island and you would need to wait for local transport to take you across the river bridge for 10d
Alternatively the hire of a Sept Plas carrying 7 passengers can be organised for you at the total cost of 4500d to Janjanbureh..
Standard bus from Bunding bus station costs 185D. You may need to change at Jarra Soma.
All transport will take you to the Police Station at Janjanbureh.
To discuss any aspect please use the contacts at the head of the page
River Transport
To make a real holiday of your journey why not travel on the river with someone who really knows Janjanbureh and built a modern but traditional boat. Dave Adams runs The Fula Princess. See Fair Play Gambia's Facebook page here for details or ring him on +223484792