Culture · Heritage · The Gambia

Wassu Stone Circles, The Gambia

Published September 27, 2026.

The Wassu Stone Circles are clusters of standing stones on the north side of the River Gambia near Kuntaur, in the Central River Region. Carved from laterite and arranged in rings, they are among the most remarkable ancient monuments in West Africa, and together with nearby Kerbatch they form The Gambia’s share of the UNESCO-listed Stone Circles of Senegambia. A small on-site museum helps explain what you are looking at.

Quick facts

What: circles of carved laterite stones, generally interpreted as burial monuments.
Where: Wassu, near Kuntaur, north bank of the River Gambia, Central River Region; Kerbatch lies a little further away in the same area.
UNESCO: part of the Stone Circles of Senegambia, inscribed in 2006 with Kerbatch (The Gambia) and Sine Ngayène and Wanar (Senegal).
Age: broadly from about the 3rd century BC to the 16th century AD, according to UNESCO; dating is still debated.
Facilities: small museum, local guides.
Find it: on our interactive map.

What the stone circles are

The Senegambian stone circles are spread across a wide band of land along the River Gambia in both countries, and UNESCO describes the region as having one of the densest concentrations of stone circles in the world. The four listed groups contain well over a thousand monuments between them, and many more circles are scattered across the wider zone.

The stones were cut from laterite, a hard, iron-rich reddish rock common in the region, using iron tools. Most are cylindrical or slightly tapering pillars, typically ranging from under a metre to around two metres or more in height, set upright in a ring. Some circles have outlying stones to the east, and a few sites include unusual shapes, such as stones split into a V, sometimes called “lyre stones”.

Archaeological excavations have found burials at many circles, so they are generally interpreted as funerary monuments, perhaps marking the graves of important people. But there is still much that is not known: who exactly built them, how communities organised such work over many centuries, and how the monuments were used in ceremonies. That uncertainty is part of what makes a visit so absorbing.

Wassu and Kerbatch

Wassu is the easiest group to visit and the best known. Several circles stand close together near the village, and the museum next to the site displays information on the excavations, the building techniques and the theories about the monuments’ purpose. Some of the tallest stones in the Gambian groups are found here.

Kerbatch is the second Gambian component of the World Heritage Site. It is quieter and less visited, and reaching it usually needs a driver who knows the local tracks. If you have a particular interest in archaeology, ask a guide in Wassu or Janjanbureh about adding it to your trip.

The four UNESCO sites at a glance

Site	Country	Notes
Wassu	The Gambia	Most visited Gambian site; small museum
Kerbatch	The Gambia	Quieter, harder to reach
Sine Ngayène	Senegal	One of the largest groups of circles
Wanar	Senegal	Known for its decorated and V-shaped stones

If you plan to see the Senegalese sites too, the Senegal border crossing guide explains the general process; confirm current entry rules before you travel.

How to get there

Wassu is a long way from the coast — most of a day’s drive from the Kombos, depending on the route and road conditions — so it is best treated as part of an upcountry trip rather than a day excursion. Common approaches:

From Janjanbureh. The island town of Janjanbureh is the usual base. From there a driver can take you to Wassu and back in half a day, crossing to the north bank as needed. See the river crossings guide for how ferries and bridges work.
On an organised upcountry tour. Many two- to four-day trips from the coast include Wassu, Janjanbureh and a boat trip in River Gambia National Park.
By river. Some boat trips on the River Gambia stop at Kuntaur, from where Wassu is a short drive.

Public transport exists but is slow and involves changes, so most visitors hire a car and driver. The getting around guide and driving guide cover the practicalities.

Combining Wassu with River Gambia National Park

Kuntaur is the usual starting point for boat trips past River Gambia National Park, including the Baboon Islands, where chimpanzees live on protected islands (visitors view them from boats and do not land). A day that pairs the stone circles in the morning with an afternoon on the river is one of the highlights of an upcountry trip. The national parks guide, wildlife guide and River Gambia guide have more.

Tips for visiting

Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon: the site has little shade and it gets very hot, especially from March to June.
There is an entrance fee; amounts change, so check locally.
A local guide brings the stones to life and can point out the features of individual circles.
Do not climb on or move the stones, and leave any objects you find where they are.
Bring water, sun protection and small change for the museum or a guide.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Wassu Stone Circles?

Wassu is on the north side of the River Gambia in the Central River Region, a short distance from the river town of Kuntaur and within reach of Janjanbureh.

How old are the Wassu Stone Circles?

Dating is still debated, but UNESCO describes the Senegambian stone circles as built over a very long period, broadly from around the 3rd century BC to the 16th century AD. Individual circles vary in age.

Who built the stone circles?

They were built by the ancestors of peoples in the region, but exactly which societies is not known for certain. Excavations show that many circles are associated with burials, so they are generally interpreted as funerary monuments.

Is Wassu a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Wassu and Kerbatch in The Gambia, together with Sine Ngayène and Wanar in Senegal, form the Stone Circles of Senegambia World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2006.

Is there a museum at Wassu?

Yes, a small museum at the site explains the circles, the excavations and theories about their purpose. Opening times can vary, so it is worth checking locally.

Can you visit Wassu as a day trip from the coast?

It is possible but makes for a very long day. Most visitors combine Wassu with an overnight stay in or near Janjanbureh, or visit on a multi-day river trip.