Janjanbureh (Georgetown), The Gambia

Where is Janjanbureh?

Janjanbureh sits on the north side of MacCarthy Island in the middle of the River Gambia, in the Central River Region, roughly 300 km upriver from Banjul. Locals still call it Georgetown — the name the British gave it when they founded the settlement in 1823 to serve as an administrative post and a base for suppressing the transatlantic slave trade.

Freedom Tree and colonial history

The town's most famous landmark is the Freedom Tree. After Britain abolished slavery in 1807, enslaved people who reached Georgetown could touch the tree and, by proclamation, walk free. What survives today is a quiet marker, but standing beside it is one of the more powerful moments any visitor to The Gambia will have.

Around the tree you'll find the remains of a slave house on the riverbank, colonial-era warehouses, and the old Commissioner's Quarters. A local guide is worth every dalasi here — the story is layered and the physical remains are modest.

Things to do in Janjanbureh

• Walk the Freedom Tree and slave-house heritage trail.
• Take a dawn or dusk river cruise — hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species use this stretch of the River Gambia.
• Visit the nearby stone circles at Wassu, a UNESCO World Heritage site under an hour away.
• Cross to the south bank to explore the River Gambia National Park and the chimpanzee rehabilitation project on Baboon Islands (viewed from the water — no landing).
• Time your trip for the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival, usually held in the dry season, for masked Mandinka performances.

How to get there

Most visitors reach Janjanbureh by road from the coast on the south-bank highway (roughly 6–8 hours by 4x4) and cross the river by ferry from Sankulay Kunda or Lamin Koto. Adventurous travellers do it the classic way — a multi-day river safari upstream from Tendaba or Kuntaur. The town is small; once you arrive, everything is walkable.

Where to stay

Accommodation is limited and part of the charm. Riverside camps on the south bank offer thatched roundhouses with mosquito nets and shared dinners under the stars. In town, small guesthouses give you a front-row seat to daily life.

Best time to visit

November to March is dry, cooler and easiest for driving. April and May bring heat but excellent birdwatching. July to September is the green season — dramatic skies and lush landscapes, but some tracks become impassable.

Tours to Janjanbureh with us

We run guided upriver expeditions that pair Janjanbureh with Wassu, Kuntaur and the River Gambia National Park. Browse current departures on our adventures page or get in touch for a private itinerary.