Banjul - Monkeys, Crocodiles & Boat That Told a Bigger Story 🇬🇲

After entering The Gambia, I continued towards Banjul, the country’s small but lively capital. The city felt very different from Dakar. It was less overwhelming, more compact and easier to explore, but still full of movement, roadside activity and the unpredictable rhythm that had already come to define my journey through West Africa.

The day began with some of The Gambia’s best-known wildlife. I encountered playful monkeys and visited the crocodiles, getting far closer to the animals than I would normally expect. These experiences showed the greener, more tropical side of the country—a sharp contrast to the dry desert landscapes I had crossed only a short time earlier in Mauritania.

What stood out just as much as the wildlife were the people. Small moments of kindness kept appearing throughout the day, including a friendly encounter with a police officer. These brief interactions were not dramatic, but they said a great deal about the atmosphere of the country. The Gambia continued to live up to its reputation as the Smiling Coast of Africa.

Later, I came across an old boat that carried a much heavier meaning. It was more than an abandoned vessel or an interesting object to film. It became a reminder of the dangerous journeys many people attempt across the sea in search of a different life. Seeing it in person shifted the tone of the day and revealed a more serious story beneath Banjul’s colourful streets and relaxed atmosphere.

This visit brought together several very different sides of The Gambia: wildlife, humour, generosity and a difficult reality that is easy to overlook as a traveller. Banjul may be a small capital, but the experiences I found there told a much larger story.

I’ll be documenting this adventure along the way — the good, the bad, and everything in between. If you want to ride with me through Africa’s deserts, mountains, chaos, and calm, you can follow the journey on Instagram, and TikTok. I’ll be sharing stories from the road, raw moments, and the reality behind chasing freedom on two wheels.

So, come along for the ride — the long way through Africa.

Peace!