The Gambia🇬🇲 | townsBakauSacred crocodile pool, painted pirogues, Cape Point sand, craft stalls | things to do and best time to go

A yellow shared taxi around Bakau costs roughly US$0.30 to 0.60 per hop, paid in cash in small notes to the driver as you step out. Bakau is compact, the traffic is a slow tangle of horns on the main road toward Serrekunda, and public transport is cheap but has no timetable. Carry coins and small bills because drivers rarely have change.

• Walking: Most of Bakau, from the fish market to Kachikally, can be covered in 10 to 25 minutes on sandy lanes. Go early or late, because midday sun on the pavement is fierce and shade is scarce. Wear closed shoes in the lanes.
• Shared yellow-and-green taxis: These run set routes toward Serrekunda and Banjul. A seat is about US$0.40 to 1 depending on the stretch, and they fill up and leave when full. They run roughly from early morning to around 8 pm. Hop in a

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A yellow shared taxi around Bakau costs roughly US$0.30 to 0.60 per hop, paid in cash in small notes to the driver as you step out. Bakau is compact, the traffic is a slow tangle of horns on the main road toward Serrekunda, and public transport is cheap but has no timetable. Carry coins and small bills because drivers rarely have change.

• Walking: Most of Bakau, from the fish market to Kachikally, can be covered in 10 to 25 minutes on sandy lanes. Go early or late, because midday sun on the pavement is fierce and shade is scarce. Wear closed shoes in the lanes.
• Shared yellow-and-green taxis: These run set routes toward Serrekunda and Banjul. A seat is about US$0.40 to 1 depending on the stretch, and they fill up and leave when full. They run roughly from early morning to around 8 pm. Hop in a front seat if you want more room, and confirm the destination aloud since cars switch routes.
• Private taxis: A short drive inside Bakau usually runs US$2 to 4, and the trip to Kotu or Senegambia US$5 to 9. There are no meters, so agree on the fare before you sit. Tourists pay more at the beach, so walk a block inland and flag a car there, and drivers often accept a modest counteroffer. After dark, this is the sensible choice.
• Minibuses (gelegele): Painted, rattling and packed, these ply the main road to Serrekunda and Banjul for about US$0.30 to 0.80. Hold your bag on your lap, because storage is minimal and seats are tight. They are slow in rush hour, so skip them if you are on a tight schedule.
• Ferry and Banjul: Banjul is a 20 to 30 minute drive from Bakau, and the ferry to Barra on the north bank costs only about US$1 for foot passengers. Queues can be long, so arrive early.

Bakau works well as a base for day trips, since shared taxis and minibuses link it to the coast and the capital, and most places are an hour or less away.Banjul and Arch 22: Banjul is about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or minibus and costs US$1 to 3 each way. Climb Arch 22 for views across the rooftops and visit the National Museum and Albert Market for a busy, colorful look at city life. Go in the morning, because markets wind down by mid-afternoon, and avoid arriving at rush hour when the road to the island clogs. Budget about US$10 to 15 total.👉 Explore BanjulAbuko Nature Reserve: This small forest reserve is roughly 30 to 40 minutes away by shared taxi, with a US$5 to 8 entry fee. Monkeys, monitor lizards and many birds live here, and the shaded trails stay cool. Arrive at opening in the morning … read more 👉

Bakau works well as a base for day trips, since shared taxis and minibuses link it to the coast and the capital, and most places are an hour or less away.Banjul and Arch 22: Banjul is about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or minibus and costs US$1 to 3 each way. Climb Arch 22 for views across the rooftops and visit the National Museum and Albert Market for a busy, colorful look at city life. Go in the morning, because markets wind down by mid-afternoon, and avoid arriving at rush hour when the road to the island clogs. Budget about US$10 to 15 total.👉 Explore BanjulAbuko Nature Reserve: This small forest reserve is roughly 30 to 40 minutes away by shared taxi, with a US$5 to 8 entry fee. Monkeys, monitor lizards and many birds live here, and the shaded trails stay cool. Arrive at opening in the morning for the most activity, and bring water and insect repellent. A common mistake is turning up at midday, when the animals rest. Total cost runs US$12 to 18.👉 Explore Abuko Nature ReserveTanji Fishing Village and Bird Reserve: Tanji sits about 45 minutes to an hour south by shared taxi, and the trip costs roughly US$2 to 4 each way. The fish smokehouses and beach, with boats arriving in the afternoon, are the draw, and the nearby bird reserve is best between November and March. Hire a local guide if you want the birds, for about US$5 to 10. Pay for a taxi back before the afternoon rush.👉 Explore TanjiMakasutu Culture Forest: Makasutu lies about an hour from Bakau by road, and a day visit with a mangrove canoe trip typically costs US$30 to 50 when arranged through the reserve. The best months are November to April. Book ahead, since transport out there is hard to find independently.👉 Explore Makasutu Culture Forest