'Roots' Trips & Tours
According to Alex Haley's novel Roots, the Gambia River provided one of the clues that helped him trace his American family through the history of slavery back to AfricaWe offer an exciting alternative to the standard Gambia holiday hotel and beach package and the Roots tours organised by Arch will show the origins, history and remnants of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in The Gambia, Senegal and the surrounding West African region.
Roots, Kunta Kinteh & Slavery in The Gambia
The 'Roots Heritage Trail' is a popular excursion, inspired by the historic epic, based on the classic novel of the tragedy of the slave trade and triumph of freedom, a full circle, inspired by Alex Haley’s bestseller and movie “Roots” describing his ancestor, Kunta Kinteh, capture and journey to America as a slave some 200 years ago .
Roots by Land: Holiday Tours & Trips in The Gambia
The 'Roots by Land' trip lasts from 8am – 6pm
Cross the busy ferry with the local to “Barra”, the first town in the North Bank of the country.
This is the only means of connecting to the Northern part of the country and also links the country to the North of Senegal. This is an experience not to be missed. The ferry crossing gives you an insight into river traffic in the Country.
Join your jeeps and drive on to “Jufureh”/”Albreda”. Visit the historic slave museum before joining a boat trip to “James Island”, the place where most of the slaves transported from the Gambia were kept for a fourth night, before being transported to Goree in north Senegal on a journey of no return,
Come back and visit the 7th generation of “Kunta Kinteh”.lunch and a drive back at 15:00 hrs to the ferry terminal. These 200 years old history is something you must not miss having the opportunity to visit the Gambia.
Roots by River: Holiday Tours & Trips in The Gambia
The 'Roots by River' trip lasts from 8am – 6pm
Pickup from the entrance of your respective hotels. Drive to Banjul Sea port the (Capital City of The Gambia) and onboard a boat that all major tours operators in The Gambia use.
The a 3 hours cruise along the Rive Gambia, past Dog Island and lunch on board the boat. A visit to Albreda – Jufureh, which are the two most historical towns in The Gambia as far as history of The Gambia, is concerned with the coming of European presence in Africa.
A visit to Fort James Island, which changed hands from Portuguese, The Dutch and then finally, The English. A 200 hundred years of history that gives you a proper insight of what happened in those days.
A cruise back to Banjul Sea port and the chances of spotting Dolphins a possibility.
Our reputation with visiting holiday and tour operators is unsurpassed and we have instigated a programe of 'eco tour operator best practice' which is mirrored and respected throughout The Gambia.
Gambia Trips & Tours: Roots, Kunta Kinteh, James Island, Slavery & Slave Trade in Gambia & Senegal
Gambia Bird Watching Holidays: Bird Watching Tours, Trips & Safaris in Gambia & Senegal
Bird Watching in Gambia
Arch Tours are Gambian owned and internationally respected eco friendly and ethical ground tour operators offering bird watching tours, bush and beach bird safaris, bird spotting trips and ornithological excursions in The Gambia, Senegal and the surrounding West African region.We offer an exciting alternative to the standard Gambia holiday hotel and beach package. Imagine creating a bird watching expedition to West Africa that matches your specific requirements
At Arch Tours, we can make even the most passionate and adventurous bird watcher's dreams come true
Gambia Bird Watching Tours & Trips with Arch Tours
For the casual birdwatcher we offer the Early Birds & Breakfast Tour: 06:15 - 14.00 hrs
This bird watching tour starts before dawn at your hotel and after a 30 minute drive we arrive at Lamin Lodge, an Eco Lodge built right on the mouth of the Gambia River. Witness the dawn chorus Gambia style and enjoy a 3 hour cruise spotting the many species of birds that can be found around the tributaries of the Gambia River.
We stop for breakfast after the boat trip and then continue on foot with a bird spotting walk around the wet lands and rice fields around the Lamin area.
Then we drive slowly back to your hotel spotting the different species along the way.
Gambia Bird Watching Camps & Safaris with Arch Tours
For the more serious bird watcher we offer 3 different 2 day trips.to
- Tendaba Camp
- Tumani Tenda Camp
- George Town
Arch Tours continued success in the West African bird watching holiday sector is built on our close relationships with the local community, local schools, local villages and the owners or operators of local tourist attractions, hotels and resorts in the Gambia and Senegal.
Our reputation with visiting bird watching tour operators is unsurpassed and we have instigated a programe of 'eco tour operator best practice' which is mirrored and respected throughout The Gambia.
Changing Money Gambia: Gambia Banking, ATM, Travellers Cheques, Money and Currency Exchange
Changing Holiday Money
If you're in search of a budget beach holiday, a cheap family holiday or a luxury winter sun break then Gambia could be the perfect choice.
Gambia is outside the Eurozone so offers great value for money as a holiday destination. The exchange rate in Euraopean banks is notoriously low and Arch Tours advise travellers to the Gambia not to change holiday spending money into Dalasis while in Europe.
There are many legal change shops in Gambia offering exchange rates that can be as much as 20 % than the rates offered in Europe. The British Pound is widely accepted and there is no need to change pounds into Euros as some travel companies suggest.
Gambia Banking: Money & Currency Exchange
Scroll down for Gambian currency and holiday money information including foreign exchange rates, ATM's, banking hours, credit cards, traveller's cheques and currency restrictions.
Currency in Gambia: Gambian Dalasi
Gambian Dalasi (GMD; symbol D) = 100 bututs. Notes are in denominations of D100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of D1, and 50 bututs.Foreign Exchange: Changing Money in Gambia
There is a bank or bureau de change (Trust Bank) at the airport (Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Fri 0900-1230). The capital, Banjul, and the nearby towns of Serrekunda, Bakau, Fajara and Kololi have a number of banks where foreign currencies can be exchanged.
Exchange bureaux are found in all the main tourist resorts. Some hotels also offer foreign exchange facilities, but tend to charge high commissions. As The Gambia is a cash economy travellers are advised to carry sufficient currency to cover expenses of a planned visit.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards and ATMs in Gambia
While some hotels will accept American Express, MasterCard and Visa if arranged at the beginning of the stay, many local businesses only accept payment by cash or traveller's cheques.
ATMs are available in large urban areas, but are few in number and not always reliable. Due to credit card and bank fraud, caution is advised when using credit cards and ATMs.
Traveller's Cheques in Gambia
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or Euros.Currency Restrictions in Gambia
Restrictions apply.Banking Hours in Gambia
Mon-Thurs 0800-1330, Fri 0800-1100 (banks in Banjul); Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1600-1800, Sat 0800-1300 (banks elsewhere).