Places · Upriver · The Gambia
Janjanbureh (Georgetown): an island town on the river
Janjanbureh — long known by its colonial name, Georgetown, and sometimes spelled Janjangbureh — sits on an island in the River Gambia, deep in the country's Central River Region. It is the main inland anchor for travellers who want to trade the coast for a slower, river-bound Gambia of history, birdlife, and small-town life. Reaching it is part of the experience.
Janjanbureh explained: quick facts
- Names: Janjanbureh (also Janjangbureh); formerly Georgetown. The Gambian government restored the local name in the 1990s.
- Where: on MacCarthy Island (also called Janjanbureh Island) in the River Gambia, in the Central River Region.
- Role: a historic administrative town and the seat of the Janjanbureh local-government area.
- Distance: roughly 300 km by road from Banjul and the coast — a long day's drive, so plan to stay overnight.
- Nearby highlights: the Wassu Stone Circles, river trips, birding, and the route to River Gambia National Park.
- Find it: on our interactive map.
An island town on the river
Janjanbureh occupies MacCarthy Island in the middle of the river, reached by ferry or bridge. Founded by the British in the 1820s as a trading and administrative settlement, it once played an outsized role in the river economy and retains faded colonial buildings and a quiet, time-stood-still atmosphere. Today it is a modest town that serves as a base for exploring the surrounding river and countryside. It is also home to Armitage High School, one of the country's oldest secondary schools.
Why is it called Janjanbureh?
Local tradition links the name to two brothers, Janjang and Bureh, remembered as early settlers of the island. Under British rule the island was named after Sir Charles MacCarthy, a colonial governor, and the town became Georgetown. After independence the local name returned, and "Janjanbureh" is now the official name — though you will still see "Georgetown" on older maps and in guidebooks.
History along the river
The town and its surroundings carry layers of history, from river trade to the trans-Atlantic era, and several local sites are presented to visitors in that context. As with the heritage sites further west, approach these with sensitivity; the history guide and roots tourism guide give background. A local guide adds essential context.
The Wassu Stone Circles
Within reach of Janjanbureh are the Wassu Stone Circles, part of the Senegambian stone circles inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — ancient megalithic monuments whose builders and exact purpose remain partly mysterious. They are among the most significant archaeological sites in West Africa and a compelling reason to come this far inland.
Nature and the river
The central river is excellent for birding and river trips, and lies on the route toward the River Gambia National Park and its Baboon Islands chimpanzee project. Early-morning boat outings are the highlight for many visitors. The wildlife guide covers what you might see, from hippos to monkeys.
Getting there and staying
Janjanbureh is several hours inland by road from the coast, so it is usually visited as an overnight (or longer) trip rather than a day trip — see the itineraries guide. Accommodation is simple: river lodges and small camps rather than resorts. Most visitors arrange transport with a driver or join an organised river trip; the driving guide and getting-around guide explain the options for going independently.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Janjanbureh?
Janjanbureh is on MacCarthy Island in the River Gambia, in The Gambia's Central River Region, roughly 300 km by road from Banjul.
Is Janjanbureh the same as Georgetown?
Yes. Georgetown was the colonial name of the town. It was officially renamed Janjanbureh in the 1990s, but older maps and guidebooks still use Georgetown.
How do you spell Janjanbureh?
Janjanbureh is the official spelling; Janjangbureh is a common variant. Both refer to the same town.
What is Janjanbureh known for?
Its colonial-era history as a river trading and administrative town, its island setting, river trips and birding, and its proximity to the Wassu Stone Circles UNESCO site and River Gambia National Park.
Can you visit Janjanbureh as a day trip from the coast?
It is not practical. The drive takes several hours each way, so most visitors stay at least one night in a river lodge or camp.
What to read next
- The River Gambia — the waterway that defines the region.
- National parks and reserves — including the upriver chimps.
- Sample itineraries — fitting an inland leg into a trip.
- History — the colonial era and beyond.
- Birding — the central river's habitats.
- Wassu Stone Circles — ancient laterite megaliths near Kuntaur, part of the UNESCO-listed Stone Circles of Senegambia.
- Basse and the Upper River Region — the Gambia's far east: a busy river market town, trading routes and quiet upriver birding.