How many regions to visit: I advise
two or three regions, no more. The country is small, but roads slow everything, and a ferry queue or a taxi waiting to fill can swallow half a day. Two or three gives you time to hear the morning call to prayer, eat peanut stew at a family table and watch kingfishers from a pirogue instead of staring through a windshield.
Choosing by travel style: Choose
coastal regions if you want easy food, beer, drumming lessons and social hostels. Choose
river regions if you want birds, mangroves and villages where greetings last a full minute. Choose
inland regions if you want silence, stars and few other foreigners, accepting basic rooms and cold-water bucket washes.
What it costs: Budget
US$25 to 45 a day on the coast and US$18 to 30 upriver, covering a simple room …
read more 👉 How many regions to visit: I advise two or three regions, no more. The country is small, but roads slow everything, and a ferry queue or a taxi waiting to fill can swallow half a day. Two or three gives you time to hear the morning call to prayer, eat peanut stew at a family table and watch kingfishers from a pirogue instead of staring through a windshield.Choosing by travel style: Choose coastal regions if you want easy food, beer, drumming lessons and social hostels. Choose river regions if you want birds, mangroves and villages where greetings last a full minute. Choose inland regions if you want silence, stars and few other foreigners, accepting basic rooms and cold-water bucket washes.What it costs: Budget US$25 to 45 a day on the coast and US$18 to 30 upriver, covering a simple room (US$8 to 25), meals (US$2 to 6 for rice and fish or domoda) and shared transport (US$1 to 8 per leg). Guided boat trips cost roughly US$20 to 50 per boat, reserve entry fees are usually under US$10, and a local bird guide is about US$15 to 30 a day. Carry dalasi in cash, as ATMs outside the coast are scarce.Safety and culture: Petty theft and persistent bumsters on beaches are the main nuisances. Politely refuse, keep valuables out of sight and agree prices before a ride. Take malaria prophylaxis and use repellent at dusk. The country is predominantly Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees in villages, ask before photographing people, and use your right hand for greeting and eating. Photographing police, bridges or military sites is a bad idea. Expect warm hospitality in return for a patient hello.