Gambia News: Gambia Trips & Tours: Roots, Kunta Kinteh, James Island, Slavery & Slave Trade in Gambia & Senegal

'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 Africa

We 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.