Where to stay in Serrekunda — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Local dishes to try in Serrekunda

1. 1🥜

   Domoda

   A rich peanut (groundnut) stew with onion, sweet potato and tomato, served with chicken, beef or lamb over rice. The Gambia's national dish and an essential first taste.

   📍 National dish
2. 2🍚

   Benachin

   The Gambian take on jollof rice — rice cooked together with meat or fish and vegetables in a spiced tomato sauce, all in one pot. A satisfying one-plate meal.

   📍 Everywhere
3. 3🍗

   Yassa

   Chicken or fish marinated in lemon, garlic, mustard and chilli, then grilled or fried and returned to a generous onion sauce over rice. Tangy, savoury and addictive.

   📍 Everywhere
4. 4🥘

   Supakanja

   An okra and fish stew cooked in palm oil with onion, pepper and spices, served over rice. A beloved family staple across the city.

   📍 Home-style
5. 5🐠

   Fresh grilled fish

   Atlantic fish grilled fresh and served with rice and chilli sauce — found at the beach bars of Kololi and Kotu and at the Tanji fish market.

   📍 Beach bars
6. 6🍵

   Attaya & Wonjo

   Attaya is sweet, frothy mint green tea brewed slowly as a social ritual; Wonjo is a chilled hibiscus drink — both perfect ways to beat the heat.

   📍 Local drinks

1. 1🛍️

   Serrekunda Market (Sandika)

   The largest market in The Gambia — a labyrinth of alleys stacked with ankara fabric, leather goods, woven baskets, fresh produce, fish and spices. The ultimate West African market experience.

   📍 City centre
2. 2🐊

   Kachikally Crocodile Pool

   A sacred pool set in a small forest, home to around 80 crocodiles roaming freely — some tame enough to touch. Open 8am–7pm; a site of deep spiritual meaning for locals.

   📍 Bakau
3. 3🐒

   Bijilo Forest Park (Monkey Park)

   A 51-hectare coastal forest right behind the Senegambia Strip, with three monkey species, palms, baobabs and plenty of birds. Shaded trails; entry around 300 dalasi.

   📍 Kololi
4. 4🏖️

   Kololi Beach

   The Gambia's best-known stretch of soft sand, backed by the Senegambia Strip of beach bars, restaurants and live music. The prime spot for Atlantic sunsets.

   📍 Kololi
5. 5🦩

   Kotu Creek & Beach

   A calmer creek and beach ideal for swimming, and one of the most popular birdwatching spots in the country among visiting birders.

   📍 Kotu
6. 6🌳

   Abuko Nature Reserve

   Mature riverine forest south of Kololi with over 250 recorded bird species, plus vervet monkeys, red colobus and crocodiles — the most accessible wildlife site in The Gambia.

   📍 Day trip, ~20 min
7. 7🐟

   Tanji Fishing Village

   The country's most atmospheric fishing village — a fleet of brightly painted pirogues, a bustling morning fish market and a bird reserve. A window into authentic Gambian coastal life.

   📍 Coastal day trip
8. 8🏛️

   Arch 22 (Banjul)

   A 35-metre monumental gateway in the capital, Banjul. Climb up for panoramic views over the city and Atlantic coast, then pair it with the National Museum and Albert Market.

   📍 Capital day trip