Fair Play Gambia
Fair Play Gambia
5
Boat ToursFishing Charters & ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife ToursKayaking & Canoeing
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
The Fula Princess is Gambia’s only live-aboard river cruising pirogue, offering a private charter service on the beautiful River Gambia Private luxury boat charter Friendly, experienced crew Fully licensed, registered and insured Trained chef serving delicious food Sleeps four guests in two double berths inside or on top deck Kayaking, fishing,bird watching,, nature, culture and local life
Janjanbureh, Gambia
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
27 reviews
Excellent
27
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0
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Poor
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Vcbella
Isleworth, UK13 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We booked a three night stay with FairPlay including excursions and an overnight trip onboard the Fula Princess boat. It was an incredible experience and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic eco tourism package.
The owner Dave was really helpful and created a tailored programme that suited our requirements. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities they organised for us.
We enjoyed our stay at Musa's Riverside Garden lodge. Musa was so friendly and a great host. The bed was really comfortable. Breakfast by the riverbank was relaxing.
On our first day we had a guided city tour of Janjanbureh with Mariama, who is very knowledgeable and charming, and a fascinating tour of the Kankurang museum with (the other) Musa, who has extensive knowledge of Masquerade culture from the different regions of the Gambia.
The highlight of the trip was the 24 hour boat excursion on the Fula Princess, in particular the Chimpanzee sanctuary and sleeping out on the river overnight. It was such a privilege to see the chimps up close feeding on the riverbank, as we floated by in the boat. The ranger gave us lots of information about the project and the animals themselves beforehand, so that we could really appreciate what we were seeing.
We must mention the crew, who were so accommodating and friendly! We were truly in safe hands with "Transporter", the captain of the boat, who gave us a very smooth ride and was always on the lookout for wildlife, spotting hippos and numerous types of birds for us to see. The chef Lamin is a wizard and conjured up some delightful meals for us, and Germano the tour guide was great fun and also highly knowledgeable about the river, wildlife, and the local communities and their way of life.
Sleeping on board was a magical experience, gently floating on the water and listening to the sounds of the birds and animals, and was made very comfortable with a mosquito net to keep us safe from bites. We also went to see (and taste) palm wine tapping, and had a short hike to a nearby village.
On our final day, we went hiking with Che who I must say is a brilliant guide and very enthusiastic. He told us all about the trees and plants, and their various uses such as making bush tea, and the local ecology and wildlife. We visited several villages and got to meet some of the very friendly inhabitants. All the while, Che happily answered all our questions and chatted with us openly about his own life and experiences.
As we were staying in the coastal region for the rest of our time in the Gambia, it was a reasonably long journey to Janjanbureh by bus, but the express bus for 350 dalasis from Kanifing Bus Station was surprisingly comfortable and quick - very good value and recommend taking the express. On our return we accidentally took the local (non-express) bus, which was much busier and slower, but quite an interesting experience nonetheless!
The owner Dave was really helpful and created a tailored programme that suited our requirements. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities they organised for us.
We enjoyed our stay at Musa's Riverside Garden lodge. Musa was so friendly and a great host. The bed was really comfortable. Breakfast by the riverbank was relaxing.
On our first day we had a guided city tour of Janjanbureh with Mariama, who is very knowledgeable and charming, and a fascinating tour of the Kankurang museum with (the other) Musa, who has extensive knowledge of Masquerade culture from the different regions of the Gambia.
The highlight of the trip was the 24 hour boat excursion on the Fula Princess, in particular the Chimpanzee sanctuary and sleeping out on the river overnight. It was such a privilege to see the chimps up close feeding on the riverbank, as we floated by in the boat. The ranger gave us lots of information about the project and the animals themselves beforehand, so that we could really appreciate what we were seeing.
We must mention the crew, who were so accommodating and friendly! We were truly in safe hands with "Transporter", the captain of the boat, who gave us a very smooth ride and was always on the lookout for wildlife, spotting hippos and numerous types of birds for us to see. The chef Lamin is a wizard and conjured up some delightful meals for us, and Germano the tour guide was great fun and also highly knowledgeable about the river, wildlife, and the local communities and their way of life.
Sleeping on board was a magical experience, gently floating on the water and listening to the sounds of the birds and animals, and was made very comfortable with a mosquito net to keep us safe from bites. We also went to see (and taste) palm wine tapping, and had a short hike to a nearby village.
On our final day, we went hiking with Che who I must say is a brilliant guide and very enthusiastic. He told us all about the trees and plants, and their various uses such as making bush tea, and the local ecology and wildlife. We visited several villages and got to meet some of the very friendly inhabitants. All the while, Che happily answered all our questions and chatted with us openly about his own life and experiences.
As we were staying in the coastal region for the rest of our time in the Gambia, it was a reasonably long journey to Janjanbureh by bus, but the express bus for 350 dalasis from Kanifing Bus Station was surprisingly comfortable and quick - very good value and recommend taking the express. On our return we accidentally took the local (non-express) bus, which was much busier and slower, but quite an interesting experience nonetheless!
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan W
6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We have had 2 truly fantastic experiences with this brilliant team - our first being a kayaking trip down a stretch of the river Gambia seeing lots of wildlife and camping overnight. Today we returned from a 24 hour cruise on board the Fula Princess - 4 of us with the superb fairplay gambia team. Seeing hippos (including a whole family stretched out on the bank) was an experience of a lifetime and countless other wildlife along the way. The crew couldn't have been more hospitable - delicious food, comfy bed with nets (on top deck) and interesting conversations. Fairplay Gambia stood out to us as a social enterprise helping to support local communities which was wonderful to see.
Would thoroughly recommend this awesome organisation for individualised and exciting trips into the heart of Gambia!
Would thoroughly recommend this awesome organisation for individualised and exciting trips into the heart of Gambia!
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen C
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Friends
I've been on two multi-day hiking and kayaking trips with FairPlay Gambia and highly recommend them. The river, the birds and the surrounding countryside are beautiful, and it was wonderful being welcomed into local communities in the company of our fantastic guide.
It's an outstanding way of experiencing rural Gambia and getting to know the country and people a little better. The organisation, information and logistics are done really well and they seem to have thought of everything. Dave has created something really special here and his team feels like a family that draws you in. I would definitely go again!
It's an outstanding way of experiencing rural Gambia and getting to know the country and people a little better. The organisation, information and logistics are done really well and they seem to have thought of everything. Dave has created something really special here and his team feels like a family that draws you in. I would definitely go again!
Written 17 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Leeds, UK2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We went as a couple (in our mid 70s) at the end of January and loved our 3 night up-river trip on the Fula Princess. The peace, the birds, baboons and monkeys and the off-board visits made it a truly amazing experience. We were so well looked after by the very friendly, caring and professional crew - captain Modu, guide Sarjo and cook Lamin. Every meal was delicious and the bed very comfortable. We had organised our itinerary with Dave to take in the Kankurang festival in Janjambureh. We were so lucky that our trip coincided with this! So we sailed first to Bansang and enjoyed the market there, then on to Sami Karantaba where we danced with the beautiful joyous ladies and visited the Mungo Park memorial. We sailed on to Diagubu and then were driven to the fascinating town of Basse. Back at Janjanbureh we visited the Kankurang museum and watched a good part of the festival. What an experience!
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter carty
1 contribution
Mar 2023
The whole experience was a trip of a lifetime. Waking up with the River and sipping tea whilst watching some stunning birds and wildlife was just delightful. Yusapha, lamin and the skipper were good compamany and easy to be on the boat with. Lamin created greta mealas from local market food. Yusapha knew everyone in Janjanbureh we met his mother in the market and he took us into the school to meet staff and pupils. His local knowledge was great and he was able to put it over in an interesting and entertaining way.
David was very helpful and source of great information imparted in his favourite bar. A great project with true local connections to Gambia
David was very helpful and source of great information imparted in his favourite bar. A great project with true local connections to Gambia
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much Peter. Will pass your kind words on to the crew. Best wishes from us all and hope to see you again.
Written 21 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brandon P
2 contributions
Jan 2023
I took a one-night cruise on the boat from Bintang to the Senegambia bridge at New Year's 2023. On the first afternoon we saw lots of dolphins. The dolphins were very playful and really put on a show jumping out of the water. It was so impressive, I didn't know that dolphins did that in the wild!
We also took a mangrove tour in the smaller boat. The upriver mangroves are very peaceful and clean, with lots of African darters as well as various types of cranes. I am not a birding person but even I enjoyed the opportunity to observe an unspoiled habitat like the mangroves.
The crew are consummate professionals. Special recognition goes to Mr Camara, the chef on the boat, who is an absolute wizard. I have no idea how he works his miracles with a shipboard kitchen, but I can say without a doubt that the meals he prepared were the best that I had in Gambia. Absolutely amazing!
We also took a mangrove tour in the smaller boat. The upriver mangroves are very peaceful and clean, with lots of African darters as well as various types of cranes. I am not a birding person but even I enjoyed the opportunity to observe an unspoiled habitat like the mangroves.
The crew are consummate professionals. Special recognition goes to Mr Camara, the chef on the boat, who is an absolute wizard. I have no idea how he works his miracles with a shipboard kitchen, but I can say without a doubt that the meals he prepared were the best that I had in Gambia. Absolutely amazing!
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Brandon. Great to have you with us. Looking forward to seeing you back for the next leg to Janjanbureh!
Written 21 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jack H
4 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I did a 4 night hiking and kayaking tour down the River Gambia with Fair Play and had a fantastic time. Dave (the owner), was extremely helpful, responsive and flexible when it came to planning out the experience and my other guides were friendly, knowledgeable and reliable as well. There is so many options when booking with this company, and given how accommodating and reliable they are, I would not hesitate for a second to recommend them to fellow travellers. A tour with Fair Play is an excellent way to see and experience the real Gambia.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Jack. It was a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing you back one day.
Written 17 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KaxI32
Michigan21 contributions
Dec 2022
The Gambia was a gem among gems in my world travel, and finishing my trip with an overnight boat excursion with Fair Play was a great way to cap off an amazing journey.
The experience at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation project, as well as taking a boat from the boat to hike up a hill (scaring away the wild baboons temporarily) for near dusk views of the River Gambia was enough in itself, but I can't say enough about the 3 man crew. The food was fresh and delicious, and interacting with these three locals on the top deck under a full moon, listening to Gambian music and chatting about life, will be a travel experience I always cherish.
A great combination of culture, outdoors, and interaction with locals. I cannot recommend this journey enough.
The experience at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation project, as well as taking a boat from the boat to hike up a hill (scaring away the wild baboons temporarily) for near dusk views of the River Gambia was enough in itself, but I can't say enough about the 3 man crew. The food was fresh and delicious, and interacting with these three locals on the top deck under a full moon, listening to Gambian music and chatting about life, will be a travel experience I always cherish.
A great combination of culture, outdoors, and interaction with locals. I cannot recommend this journey enough.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa S
Dakar, Senegal16 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We spend two nights on the Fulla Princess with our two kids (11 and 13) and our Labrador. We all loved it. Waking up to the sound of the birds and waves on the boat is absolutely amazing. Swimming in the Gambia River an unusual and amazing pleasure. The activities are interesting and enriching. All in all an unforgettable experience.
Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MinxyJo
Swanmore, UK7 contributions
Apr 2022
We joined the Fula Princess and crew at Janjanbureh and decided to head up stream as I had never been this far up The Gambia River.
The river here is so quiet with very little boat traffic and plenty of wildlife to see including baboons, red colobus monkeys, hippos and crocodiles with a vast array of bird life. The beauty of this trip is that there are only 4 of us on board so we could ask the captain to slow down in order to get some good pictures or just to watch for a little longer.
We caught glimpses of riverside communities and it was lovely to see children running down to the makeshift jetty’s to smile and wave as we sailed past.
We anchored near to Sami Karantaba and went ashore to be greeted by the Alkalo (Chief) of the village. It was a real privilege to meet him and learn about village life in this remote part of Gambia.
Back on board we enjoyed a local meal and the highlight…. a night on the deck under the stars with no noise and no light pollution.
The staff were brilliant and the boat very comfortable. It was one of the best trips I have ever made and would highly recommend it.
The river here is so quiet with very little boat traffic and plenty of wildlife to see including baboons, red colobus monkeys, hippos and crocodiles with a vast array of bird life. The beauty of this trip is that there are only 4 of us on board so we could ask the captain to slow down in order to get some good pictures or just to watch for a little longer.
We caught glimpses of riverside communities and it was lovely to see children running down to the makeshift jetty’s to smile and wave as we sailed past.
We anchored near to Sami Karantaba and went ashore to be greeted by the Alkalo (Chief) of the village. It was a real privilege to meet him and learn about village life in this remote part of Gambia.
Back on board we enjoyed a local meal and the highlight…. a night on the deck under the stars with no noise and no light pollution.
The staff were brilliant and the boat very comfortable. It was one of the best trips I have ever made and would highly recommend it.
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyone interested in sharing a trip on the Fula Princess? I booked it for the time 20th to 24th of January 2020. That means I guaranteed the booking of the whole boat to Fairplay Gambia and now I am looking for ppl to share the trip with.
I am 52 years old, from Germany, call myself a seasoned traveller and like to keep it rough and simple while on the road.
As a special there is the Kankurang Festival in Janjanbureh from 17th to 20th of January, Janjanbureh is where the trip starts.
If you are interested, send me a message and you will get the detailed itinary. Cost per person will be 540,-€, I do NOT earn anything in this, it is the price Fairplay Gambia takes for the trip. You can check this independently with them.
Regards, Marcus
Written 6 August 2019
Good morning, do you offer boat trips on Gambia River for several nights (not only one or two nights)?. Thank you. ARNOLD
Written 27 June 2019
yes they do! We spent 5 nights but they do trips of different lengths depending on availability
Written 28 June 2019
Fair Play Gambia, kostprijs boottocht en duur? alsook adres vertrek boot aub
Written 21 November 2018
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