Serekunda
Visited in March 2023
At a glance
- Country
- Gambia
- Region
- Kanifing
- Population
- 382,096
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Banjul International (BJL)
- Coordinates
- 13.45°N, 16.72°W
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Overview
Serekunda is the Gambia's largest urban area, a sprawling, energetic town just inland from the Atlantic beaches. Its market is the busiest in the country, and its streets are full of tailors, traders and music.
Most visitors stay in the nearby coastal resorts of Kololi, Kotu and Fajara, all part of greater Serekunda, and dip into town for the market. Beyond the beaches are forest parks, fishing villages and birdlife that draws birdwatchers from around the world.
Things to see
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Photo: Map master B, CC BY-SA 4.0 Serekunda Market
A huge, chaotic market of fabric, fruit, spices and household goods, best explored with a local guide.
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Photo: Kreuzberger, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bijilo Forest Park
A coastal forest with walking trails and troops of red colobus and green monkeys.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kotu Creek
A mangrove creek and bridge famous among birdwatchers for kingfishers and waders.
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Photo: tjabeljan, CC BY 2.0 Tanji fishing village
Colourful pirogues land their catch on the beach while fish is smoked in long sheds.
Things to do
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Photo: gisela gerson lohman-braun, CC BY-SA 2.0 Watch Gambian wrestling
Traditional wrestling matches come with drums, chants and charms, mostly at weekends.
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kotoviski assumed (base, CC BY 2.5 Beach days
The long sandy beaches at Kotu and Kololi are lined with beach bars and fishing boats.
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Photo: Visit The Gambia, CC0 Birdwatching walks
Hire a local bird guide for a morning on the creeks, rice fields and forests.
Where to stay
Kololi and Senegambia
The liveliest strip, with resort hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
Hotels in Kololi and SenegambiaKotu
Quieter beach hotels close to the creek and good for birders.
Hotels in KotuFajara
Leafy, residential and calm, with clifftop views of the sea.
Hotels in Fajara
Getting around
Tourist taxis wait outside the hotels, while shared minibuses are cheap and run along the main roads.
Banjul International Airport is around 25 minutes from the coastal resorts by taxi.
When to go
November to February is dry, sunny and warm, the peak season for both beaches and birds. June to October is hot and rainy.
Plan your trip to Serekunda
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.