The Gambia's south coast: Tanji, Sanyang, Gunjur and Kartong

Tanji

**Tanji fish landing** is one of the most vivid sights in West Africa. In the late afternoon, dozens of painted wooden pirogues ride the surf to the beach and their catch is unloaded by hand, sorted and carried off in basins on women's heads, while smokehouses behind the beach cure bonga fish. It is busy, smelly and unforgettable. Watch your footing and ask before taking close photos.

Nearby, the **Tanji River Bird Reserve** covers dunes, lagoons, woodland and the offshore **Bijol Islands**, an important breeding site for seabirds. Over three hundred bird species have been recorded here. The **Tanje Village Museum** is a small open air museum with traditional compounds, crafts and medicinal plants, a gentle introduction to rural life.

Brufut and Ghana Town

**Brufut** has a few larger beachfront hotels on the heights and a quiet beach below. Nearby **Ghana Town** is a fishing community founded by Ghanaian fishermen, a reminder of how connected the West African coast has always been.

Sanyang

**Sanyang** has one of the loveliest beaches in the country, a wide sweep of sand with a few relaxed beach bars that serve grilled fish under the palms. Weekdays are very quiet; at weekends local families and expats come down from the coast.

Gunjur

**Gunjur** is a large fishing town with its own busy beach landing and an eco lodge scene. Close by is the **Kenye Kenye Jamango**, a sacred site in the forest, and the coast here is good for walking and birding.

Kartong

**Kartong**, the last village before Senegal, sits beside the Allahein River. It has the **Kartong Bird Observatory**, wetlands full of waders and the **Gambia Reptile Farm** near the village, where you can learn about local snakes and lizards. Several small eco lodges and the annual **Kartong Festival** of music and culture make it a favourite with independent travellers.

Getting there and around

The coastal highway is paved and runs from Brufut to Kartong. Tourist taxis from the resort coast will do a day trip if you agree the fare in advance, and local shared minibuses run along the road for adventurous travellers. Distances are short, but allow time for stops.

Where to stay

The south coast is best for eco lodges and small beach retreats rather than big resorts. Stays at Gunjur and Kartong are peaceful and close to nature, but have fewer restaurants nearby, so most guests eat at the lodge. See our places to visit for ideas.

Safety and respect

The south coast is calm and welcoming. Dress modestly in villages, ask before photographing people, and be careful in the sea, where currents can be strong and lifeguards are rare. The Senegal border lies just south of Kartong: check current advice before any crossing, and read your government's travel advice for the Casamance region of Senegal.

Combining with the rest of the coast

Many travellers spend most of their stay on the resort coast and come south for a day, while others reverse it, with a few calm nights at Kartong or Gunjur before or after the livelier north.