Community Project Gambia
Community Project Expedition, Gunjar Region Gambia
'The Smiling Coast'
Located on the far west coast of Africa, The Gambia is well-known for its white sandy beaches and tourism. The Gambia and its people retain strong traditions and are famous for their hospitality. Our expeditions offer an alternative to western style tourism, allowing a greater experience of Gambian culture. Through working with the local community on a shared community project, our teams are able to experience what this wonderful country and people have to offer!
Venture Force offer community projects designed to immerse team members in the very fabric of Gambian village life. Our teams are based directly within our host village of Gunjur, located a 1hr drive south of the capital Banjul, allowing them to really experience the community.
Photos: James Busby Images / Coast Photo: F.Yang
Our projects are always researched and prepared by members of the host community in close liaison with our expedition managers. This system ensures that all projects are worthwhile, sustainable, and important to the community.
Venture Force team members should appreciate that our community projects are a collaboration, a partnership and a coming together of cultures, heritage, religions and skills. With teams and the local community working together, it creates friendships and bonds. We’re never short of willing hands and always have great fun as a result.
Our expeditions also include local interest visits, providing rest and relaxation. These visits can include trips to:
- The local turtle conservation group – a chance to find out about the important work being done to conserve sea turtles
- Halahin River boat tour – a sunrise boat ride, providing the opportunity to see crocodiles slumbering in the mangrove swamps. Along with sea eagles, osprey, heron and kingfishers stalking and swooping on the river’s fish
- The reptile sanctuary – the sanctuary cares for displaced reptiles and educates the local population on their conservation
An important part of Gambian history is the impact of the transatlantic slave trade. An interesting and developmental opportunity for teams, is the option to travel up-country and visit James Island, a historically signficant site of the slave trade and where it is believed the trade in The Gambia was originally managed from. This additional thought provoking three day activity, provides the chance to see a lot more of the country’s rich heritage.
Expedition Project
Our projects are always researched and prepared by members of the host community in close liaison with our expedition managers. This system ensures that all projects are worthwhile, sustainable, and important to the community.
Venture Force team members should appreciate that our community projects are a collaboration, a partnership and a coming together of cultures, heritage, religions and skills. With teams and the local community working together, it creates friendships and bonds. We’re never short of willing hands and always have great fun as a result.
Local Interest Visits
Our expeditions also include local interest visits, providing rest and relaxation. These visits can include trips to:
- The local turtle conservation group – a chance to find out about the important work being done to conserve sea turtles
- Halahin River boat tour – a sunrise boat ride, providing the opportunity to see crocodiles slumbering in the mangrove swamps. Along with sea eagles, osprey, heron and kingfishers stalking and swooping on the river’s fish
- The reptile sanctuary – the sanctuary cares for displaced reptiles and educates the local population on their conservation
Slave Trade History
An important part of Gambian history is the impact of the transatlantic slave trade. An interesting and developmental opportunity for teams, is the option to travel up-country and visit James Island, a historically signficant site of the slave trade and where it is believed the trade in The Gambia was originally managed from. This additional thought provoking three day activity, provides the chance to see a lot more of the country’s rich heritage.
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Our aim is take you out of your comfort zone. Don’t expect air conditioned rooms and coaches with waitress service. We don’t provide luxury tours, knowing from experience that real traditional Gambian life cannot be found there.
Our accommodation is always basic but clean, showers will on most occasions be a bucket shower (but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – we think they’re magical) and food will be local, fresh, plentiful and cooked by one of our in-country team. Hopefully you’ll want to get involved in all aspects of expedition life and take away some forever memories.
KEY INFORMATION
Duration
11 Days (UK to UK)
Expedition Date
TBC
Cost
TBC
- International Flights
- Two Venture Force expedition leaders
- 24/7 Industry-leading Emergency Operations Room support
- International communications package
- All in-country travel
- In-country agent support
- All in-country activities
- All in-country food and accommodation
- Team t-shirts
- Heavy-duty travel bag
- Group kit and equipment
- Online expedition portal
- Carbon off-setting of flights
- Project donation
- Team meeting (virtually or in-person depending on location)
- Gambia Airport Development and Security Fees
- Personal vaccinations
- Personal equipment (a kit list will be provided)
- Travel insurance
- Visa costs, additional entry fees (other than those stated above in inclusions), and passport renewal (if applicable)
- Spending money for gifts and additional drinks/food
- Any medical testing requirements pre-departure, in-country or on return to UK
- UK based transport