Nature · Geography · The Gambia
The River Gambia (Gambia River): facts, map and places
The Gambia River — also called the River Gambia — is a major West African river, roughly 1,120 km long, that rises in the highlands of Guinea, crosses south-eastern Senegal, and runs the full length of The Gambia before reaching the Atlantic at Banjul. The country is named after it and wrapped around it, so understanding the river is the quickest way to understand The Gambia. This guide covers the key facts, where the river is on the map, how wide it is at different points, the places along its banks, and how visitors experience it.
Gambia River quick facts
- Length: about 1,120 km (roughly 700 miles); published figures vary slightly.
- Source: the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea.
- Countries: Guinea, Senegal, and The Gambia.
- Mouth: the Atlantic Ocean at Banjul, through a wide estuary — more than 10 km across at its seaward end, narrowing to around 4–5 km between Banjul and Barra.
- Inland width: narrows steadily upriver, to a few hundred metres or less in the east of The Gambia.
- Tides and salt: tidal influence reaches far inland, and in the dry season salty water pushes well over 100 km upriver.
- Main crossings in The Gambia: the Banjul–Barra ferry at the mouth and the Senegambia Bridge (opened 2019) at Farafenni–Soma, plus smaller ferries upriver.
- Protected areas on its banks: Niumi, Tanbi Wetlands, Kiang West, Baobolong Wetland Reserve, and River Gambia National Park, among others.
Where is the Gambia River on a map of Africa?
The Gambia River is in West Africa, on the Atlantic coast just north of Guinea-Bissau and south of Senegal's Cap-Vert peninsula (Dakar). On a map of Africa, look for the westernmost bulge of the continent: the river is the thin line cutting eastward into Senegal, with the small country of The Gambia forming a narrow band on either side of it. Its mouth lies at roughly 13° north. The map of The Gambia shows the river, its towns, and the country's river-shaped borders in detail.
The river's course, country by country
Guinea. The river rises in the Fouta Djallon highlands, the same upland region that feeds the Senegal and Niger rivers, and flows north out of Guinea.
Senegal. It then crosses south-eastern Senegal, passing through Niokolo-Koba National Park, before turning west toward the coast.
The Gambia. The river enters The Gambia in the far east, beyond Basse, and flows west for several hundred kilometres through the whole country — Upper River, Central River, Lower River, and North Bank regions — before meeting the Atlantic between Banjul and Barra. Almost all of The Gambia lies within a few tens of kilometres of the river.
How wide is the Gambia River?
The river's width changes dramatically from the coast to the interior. As a rough guide (widths vary with tides and season):
| Place | Approximate width | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Estuary mouth | More than 10 km | Open, tidal, and salty; meets the Atlantic. |
| Banjul–Barra | Around 4–5 km | Crossed by the main ferry; a sizeable sea-like stretch. |
| Lower river (Tendaba area) | Several kilometres in places | Broad, brackish, lined with mangroves and creeks. |
| Farafenni–Soma | Roughly 1 km or a little less | Spanned by the Senegambia Bridge, close to a kilometre long. |
| Janjanbureh | A few hundred metres | The river splits around islands; fresher water. |
| Basse and the east | A few hundred metres or less | Freshwater river with steeper banks, lower in the dry season. |
So when people ask how wide the Gambia River is inland, the short answer is: several kilometres in the lower river, around a kilometre in the middle of the country, and only a few hundred metres by the time it reaches the east.
A river that changes character
The river is not the same along its length. Near the coast it is wide, tidal, and brackish, lined with mangroves and salt-tolerant wetlands. Because the land is so flat, tides are felt far inland and seawater can push a long way upriver, especially in the dry season when freshwater flow is low. Moving east, the water gradually becomes fresher and the banks shift to gallery forest, savannah, rice fields, and farmland. This gradient of habitats — saltwater to freshwater within one river — is a big part of why the country's wildlife is so varied.
Key places along the river
Travelling upriver from the coast, the main places are:
- Banjul — the capital, on an island at the river mouth, with the port and the ferry to Barra on the north bank.
- Kunta Kinteh Island — the small island fort (formerly James Island), with Albreda and Juffureh on the north bank; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the roots tourism guide.
- Tendaba — a south-bank village and long-established base for boat trips into mangrove creeks and birdwatching.
- Kiang West National Park — the south-bank park near Tendaba, with dry forest, mangroves, and a wide range of wildlife.
- Baobolong Wetland Reserve — a large area of creeks and mangroves on the north bank, opposite Kiang West, and The Gambia's first Ramsar wetland site.
- Farafenni and Soma — facing towns on the Trans-Gambia Highway, now linked by the Senegambia Bridge.
- River Gambia National Park (Baboon Islands) — a group of islands home to a long-running chimpanzee rehabilitation project, plus hippos; visitors view from boats only. See the national parks guide.
- Janjanbureh — the historic river-island town (colonial Georgetown), a popular overnight stop within reach of the Wassu stone circles.
- Basse Santa Su — the busy market town of the far east and the last major Gambian town on the river.
The Senegambia Bridge
For decades, travellers and lorries crossing The Gambia on the Trans-Gambia Highway between northern and southern Senegal had to wait for ferries at Farafenni–Soma, often for hours. The Senegambia Bridge, opened in January 2019, now spans the river there. Close to a kilometre long, it was the first bridge across the river within The Gambia and has cut journey times for both Gambian and Senegalese traffic. For road travel in general, see driving in The Gambia and getting around.
Why does The Gambia follow the river?
The country's shape comes from history, not geology. In the colonial era Britain controlled the river and its trade, while France held the surrounding land that became Senegal. An 1889 Anglo-French agreement set the border at roughly 10 km either side of the river, producing the long, narrow country seen on maps today. The full story is told in the history of The Gambia.
People of the Gambia River
Most Gambians live within reach of the river, and many communities depend on it for fishing, rice growing, transport, and trade. The main peoples along its banks include the Mandinka (the largest group, found along much of the river), the Fula (Fulbe), especially in the central and eastern regions, the Wolof, notably on the north bank and in the towns, the Jola in the south-west, and the Serahule (Soninke) around Basse and the east, alongside smaller groups such as the Serer and Manjago. Riverside villages grow rice in the tidal and freshwater floodplains, and women's rice cultivation is a long-standing tradition. The people and culture guide introduces these communities, and the language guide covers the languages you will hear.
Wildlife of the river
The river and its creeks ("bolongs") support a remarkable range of life: kingfishers, herons, fish-eagles, and other birds; crocodiles and monitor lizards; the elusive West African manatee; and, upriver, hippopotamuses and the chimpanzees of the River Gambia National Park's Baboon Islands. The wildlife guide and national parks guide go further.
The working river
The river is also a livelihood. Fishing communities line its banks and creeks, ferries and boats carry people and goods across and along it, and the port at Banjul connects the river to international trade — explored in the trade and logistics guide. For centuries it was the region's main highway, a history traced in the history guide.
Experiencing the river
Boat trips are the highlight for most visitors, from short mangrove-creek paddles near the coast to multi-day journeys upriver toward Janjanbureh and the national park. Early mornings are best for wildlife and light. Trips range from rustic local pirogues to organised cruises; agree details and safety arrangements in advance. The sample itineraries and best time to visit guides help with planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Gambia River?
The Gambia River is about 1,120 km (roughly 700 miles) long. It rises in the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea, flows through Senegal, and crosses the whole of The Gambia to the Atlantic.
Where is the Gambia River on a map?
It is in West Africa, entering the Atlantic at Banjul, south of Dakar and north of Guinea-Bissau. On a map it is the thin line running east into Senegal, with the narrow country of The Gambia on both banks.
How wide is the Gambia River inland?
The estuary is more than 10 km wide near the sea and about 4–5 km at Banjul. It is several kilometres wide in the lower river, roughly a kilometre at Farafenni–Soma, and only a few hundred metres around Janjanbureh and Basse.
Which countries does the Gambia River flow through?
Three: Guinea, where it rises; Senegal, which it crosses in the south-east; and The Gambia, which it runs through from east to west.
Why does The Gambia follow the river?
Britain controlled the river and its trade, while France held the surrounding land. An 1889 Anglo-French agreement set the border about 10 km either side of the river, creating the country's long, narrow shape.
Is there a bridge over the Gambia River?
Yes. The Senegambia Bridge opened in January 2019 between Farafenni and Soma on the Trans-Gambia Highway. At the mouth, people cross between Banjul and Barra by ferry.
Who lives along the Gambia River?
Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahule, and other peoples live along the river, many of them fishing, growing rice, and trading along its banks.
Is it the Gambia River or the Sambia river?
The correct name is the Gambia River, or River Gambia. "Sambia" is a common misspelling; it should not be confused with Zambia or the Zambezi in southern Africa.
What to read next
- Map of The Gambia — the river and the places along it.
- History of The Gambia — how the river drew the borders.
- National parks and reserves — the river's protected areas.
- Wildlife — what lives along the water.
- Janjanbureh — the inland river town.
- Fishing — the river and coastal catch.
- Crossing the River Gambia — the Banjul–Barra ferry, the Senegambia Bridge, upriver crossings and the north–south bank loop road.
- Basse and the Upper River Region — the Gambia's far east: a busy river market town, trading routes and quiet upriver birding.
- Geography of The Gambia — river, coast, mangroves, savannah and rainfall: how the land shapes life in The Gambia.