Learning through extraordinary,
mutually beneficial encounters
experiential learning tours
Beyond the surface: Ninki Nanka Encounters opens up the secrets of the lesser-known Gambia, as told by the river itself. Share in the magic of our nature, our people, our culture and our history. Come away knowing you have made a positive difference to both your life and the lives of others.
our philosophy
Our tours are developed with a responsible tourism philosophy – using tourism to make better places for people to live and better places for people to visit. We work closely with the communities that we visit to ensure that they benefit directly from the economic and social benefits of tourism. Working in partnership with local people we create extraordinary, mutually beneficial interactions and cultural encounters between tourists, local people and industry experts along the Ninki Nanka Trail. Any profits made by NNE are re-invested in the communities and the work of our charity.
Ninki nanka trail
The study tour follows the path of the Ninki Nanka Trail, a responsible tourism experience that enables visitors to discover the rich natural and culture heritage along The River Gambia while experiencing the important oral legend of the mythical Ninki Nanka dragon, said to reside in the creeks of the River Gambia.
our people
Our tours are delivered in partnership with licensed local ground tour operators who have committed to the Ninki Nanka Trail responsible tour operators code of conduct and meet the Gambia Tourism Board’s licensing requirements – see list of Ninki Nanka Trail ground tour operators here. In particular, many of our tours are delivered through the ITTOG.
Our tours have been developed with the collaboration of host communities and a number of key experts and local stakeholders, including our NNE board members, representatives from ITTOG, the Gambia Tourist Board, and the Gambian Tourism and Hospitality Institute. Importantly, NNE works closely with members of the community through the Village Development Committees to design mutually beneficial experiences for both our host communities and the people who visit them.
Our guides are all recruited from the local villages and communities that they represent and have been trained by experts in responsible tourism delivery.
Our study tours are informed by local guest lecturers who share their extensive experience of tourism delivery in The Gambia. Furthermore, they are supported with input from specialist responsible tourism university lecturers based in the UK, ensuring the academic content is relevant and robust.
our approach to
experiential learning
Our tours have the following features:
‘Bantaba’ discussion groups ‘in the field’
Direct and unique access to stakeholders / communities who NNE work with
Hands on learning opportunities
Developed according to the principles of responsible tourism, putting the wellbeing of the community first
Clear cultural guidance and codes of conduct to help guide behaviour
Live projects to brainstorm / workshop / problem solve for study tours
Group size of 5-12 people to facilitate close interaction with your hosts
Responsible Tourism Experiential Study Tour
Learn about the realities of responsible tourism development in The Gambia direct from the communities, businesses, local government and tourism institutes involved whilst experiencing the Ninki Nanka Trail. This 7 night study tour is and is intended for special interest and higher education small groups. The focus of the tour is to understand and experience the ways in which tourism can be used in practice as a means of responsible economic development and social empowerment. Tourism students will find the tour particularly useful to bring their theoretical studies of tourism to life. The tour will also be of interest to those studying anthropology, development studies, human geography and other related subjects, or more broadly as lifelong learning.
highlights
The tour starts at the Tourism Development Area with the opportunity to learn about Gambia’s resort clusters and responsible tourism management initiatives aimed at benefitting the informal sector (e.g. craft sellers, taxis, fruit sellers and address tourist hassle and ‘bumstering’
Hear directly from the fruit sellers and juice sellers regarding their experience of working in the tourism industry and the impact of responsible tourism projects on their lives
Join a ‘hidden Banjul’ walking tour of the capital and learn about the potential local benefits of excursions and the role of interpretation and storytelling
We then join the Ninki Nanka trail and cruise aboard the Ninki Nanka boat to learn about life on the river and its’ historical and economic significance to The Gambia
A visit to the famous World Heritage Site of Juffureh and Albreda village to have a guided tour to the slavery the museum and hear the story of the slave trade history. Tour participants will also receive a private guest lecture about initiatives to better manage visitors and host / guest relations in the villages.
The tour crosses the river to join our village homestay at Ndemban - an excellent example of responsible community-based tourism. Here participants are hosted by local families, learn about the Ndemban initiative and village life, take part in a range of hands on activities and village walking tour that have been developed for tourists and will receive a guest lecture by the Gambia Tourist Board or ITTOG.
key learnings
We provide all study tours with an exclusive leader/teacher resource pack to help make the connection between learning from the study tour and key concepts and issues such as:
Theory and practice of community-based tourism development
The process of responsible tourism product development
Working with tourism stakeholders and their different perspectives and interests
Addressing tourist hassle
How to use tourism as a tool for economic and social development
Socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts of tourism
Practical responsible tourism management strategies
Cross-cultural interaction between tourists and local people
the tour includes:
Airport transfers
All local transport
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
7 nights’ accommodation (based on two sharing)
Option to spend one of these nights sleeping on board the Ninki Nanka boatLocal guides
Local guest lectures
10 Teaching and ‘bantaba’ workshops
Ndemban village activities and entertainment
Juffureh Museum entrance fee
Learning experience at Footsteps Ecolodge or Mama Africa
Homestay cooking experience
Ninki Nanka boat cruise and river crossing.
Contribution to Village Development Committees
“The Ninki Nanka tour was an incredible travel and study experience. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to give responsible tourism real-world context and who is open to an immersive, challenging, rewarding adventure… I learned more in one week & on the ground than I ever thought possible. It was invaluable to see various tourism activities and projects in practice in The Gambia and to understand the challenges facing a developing country, when trying to address issues caused by tourism and to implement responsible tourism. This was enhanced by the special access we enjoyed to some of the inspiring tourism experts, students, business people and communities working so hard to make tourism benefit more people in their country.”
— Study tour participant, 2019
Ndemban Village Cultural Immersion Experience
Ndemban Ba
(‘Big’, 2 night / 3-day visit)
Highlights
Immerse yourself into the rhythm of village life in Ndemban village hosted by a local family. This is a unique experience designed and delivered by this Jola community who are keen to share their culture and way of life with visitors and use community-based tourism as a way of complementing their traditional livelihood activities. This very special experience includes a wide range of hands-on local activities, the opportunity to explore the village with a local guide and meet with a wide range of local people in a relaxed and authentic setting. The visit is designed to fit in with the rhythm of the village for that day so each experience will vary slightly.
This 2 night/3-day visit is designed for small and more adventurous groups who are interested in learning more about Gambian culture, rural life and interaction with local people. Clean, comfortable and basic accommodation is provided in local homestays built in the courtyard of three local families. Some of your meals will be shared with your families in their compounds (homes) but there is also a community restaurant located in a beautiful spot by the creek for you to enjoy some of your meals and relax during the hot parts of the day.
Interview with Apai in Ndemban about CBT and the Ninki Nanka
Meeting the alkalo (village leader/chief) as all visitors – not just tourists – do as part of a tradition of welcoming those from outside of the village
Spending time with your homestay family whilst joining in with everyday activities or sharing meals
Guided tour of the village to get a better understanding about everyday life and local institutions (such as the village bakery, women’s garden’s, blacksmith)
Meeting the blacksmith (when available) to learn more about his spiritual and practical role in the community
Joining in with local activities with the local women’s group such as cooking, baking and tie and dye, or spending time with a local farmer to learn about their working activities
Helping the women water their gardens in the early morning or evening and seeing the produce you will eat later growing
Option to make an appointment to visit the locally-famous fortune teller (note your guide will need to translate for you and you may need to queue as he is in demand locally)
Option to take a canoe trip into the mangroves to see beautiful birdlife and oyster collection
Watching the sunset from the creek and chilling out at the local community restaurant
Evenings by the fire with your families and (sometimes) the local women’s group to talk and experience some Jola dance and music traditions
Ndemban Nding (‘Small’, day visit)
Ndemban village also offers a short day visit (referred to as an ‘Nding’, or ‘small’ visit) where you have a great taster of village life which included meeting the village alkalo (leader), a guided tour of the village to learn about everyday life, taking part in local activities with the local women’s groups (such as cooking or tie and dye) and enjoying your meals (which you may have helped cook) at the community restaurant by the creek.
The tour includes:
Airport transfers
All local transport
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
2 nights homestay accommodation
Village guide
All activities
Walking tour
Contribution to Ndemban Village Development Committee (Tourism Committee)