A Country With a History Deeper Than Most Visitors Expect
The Gambia is often discovered by visitors as a destination for sunshine, beaches, and wildlife. What surprises many people is the depth and richness of the country's history. From ancient stone circles that predate recorded history to the painful and profound legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, the Gambia contains historical sites of global significance that deserve to be experienced thoughtfully and with proper understanding.
A day trip from I&M Apartments to explore the country's history is one of the most rewarding things you can do during your stay.
Janjangbureh Island
Janjangbureh, also known as Georgetown, is a historic island town in the Central River Division of the Gambia, reached by a short ferry crossing from the south bank of the river. It is one of the oldest colonial settlements in West Africa and its streets, buildings, and atmosphere carry a palpable sense of history that sets it apart from anywhere else in the country.
The town was established by the British in the nineteenth century and served as an administrative centre, a base for missionary activity, and, for a period, a point of transit in the slave trade. The buildings that remain from this era are remarkable, and walking through the town feels like stepping into a different century.
Hippos and Wildlife at Janjangbureh
Beyond its historical significance, Janjangbureh is one of the best places in the Gambia to see hippos in the wild. The river around the island supports a healthy hippo population and boat trips from the island offer regular and often spectacular sightings of these extraordinary animals at close range.
Early morning boat trips are particularly rewarding, with hippos active and visible in the shallower parts of the river as the sun rises over the water. Chimpanzees are also present in the forest reserves of the surrounding area, and guided excursions to see them can be arranged locally.
The birdwatching around Janjangbureh is outstanding, with species not commonly seen on the coast appearing regularly in the woodland and river habitats of the area.
The Stone Circles of Wassu
The Stone Circles of Wassu are among the most remarkable and least known prehistoric monuments in the world. Located in the Central River Region of the Gambia, these ancient laterite stone circles were created between the third century BC and the sixteenth century AD by a civilisation about which very little is definitively known.
There are over 1,000 stone circles across the Gambia and neighbouring Senegal, making this one of the largest concentrations of megalithic monuments anywhere on earth. The Wassu site, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, is the most accessible and best maintained of these sites and a visit is a genuinely humbling and thought provoking experience.
Standing among the circles, some of the stones reaching over two metres in height, it is impossible not to feel a profound sense of connection to the people who created them and curiosity about the world they inhabited. The site is calm, open, and atmospheric, and the small museum on site provides helpful context about what is known of the circles' origins and purpose.
For anyone with an interest in history, archaeology, or ancient cultures, a visit to the Stone Circles of Wassu is one of the most significant and memorable experiences available anywhere in West Africa.
Planning Your Historic Day Trip
Janjangbureh and Wassu are best combined into a full day excursion, departing early from I&M Apartments to make the most of the cooler morning hours and arriving back at the property in time for a relaxed evening meal.
The journey takes you through the heart of the Gambia, passing through villages, farmland, and riverside communities that offer their own insights into daily Gambian life. We recommend travelling with a knowledgeable local guide who can bring the history of each site to life and help you understand the broader context of what you are seeing.
We can help arrange transport, recommend trusted guides, and advise on the best time of year to make this trip. Some roads in the central river region require a suitable vehicle, and we will make sure your travel arrangements are appropriate for the journey.
Speak to us at I&M Apartments to arrange your historic excursion and make the most of your time in this extraordinary country.