Bakau

Bakau, Gambia - Complete Travel Guide

Bakau is a charming coastal town in Gambia, located just west of the capital Banjul along the Atlantic Ocean. This busy fishing community serves as one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, offering visitors a perfect blend of traditional Gambian culture, impressive beaches, and rich wildlife experiences. The town is famous for its bustling fish market, colonial architecture, and proximity to some of Gambia's most important natural attractions. As a gateway to both cultural and natural wonders, Bakau provides an authentic West African experience while maintaining excellent tourist infrastructure. The town's strategic location makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider Banjul area, with easy access to crocodile pools, Saint Vincent, and pristine beaches. Visitors can immerse themselves in local life at the colorful markets, enjoy fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants, and witness spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic while experiencing the warm hospitality that Gambia is renowned for.

Top Bakau

Kachikally Crocodile Pool

Visit this sacred crocodile pool where locals believe the waters have healing powers and bring fertility. The site houses dozens of Nile crocodiles that visitors can observe up close and even touch under supervision. This spiritual site offers insight into traditional Gambian beliefs and customs.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around 50-100 dalasi ($1-2 USD). Visit early morning or late afternoon when crocodiles are most active. No advance booking needed, but bring a local guide for cultural context and safety.

Bakau Fish Market Experience

Explore one of Gambia's most busy fish markets where colorful wooden boats bring in daily catches of barracuda, red snapper, and other Atlantic fish. Witness the bustling auction process and interact with local fishermen and traders. The market provides an authentic glimpse into Gambian coastal life and economy.

Booking Tip: Best visited early morning (6-9 AM) when boats return with fresh catches. No entry fee required. Consider hiring a local guide for 200-300 dalasi to navigate and translate interactions with vendors.

Abuko Nature Reserve

Discover Gambia's first nature reserve, home to over 270 bird species, monkeys, crocodiles, and diverse flora. The reserve features well-maintained walking trails through gallery forest, savanna, and wetlands. It's an excellent spot for birdwatching and wildlife photography in a compact, accessible setting.

Booking Tip: Entry fee is approximately 100 dalasi for adults. Open daily 8 AM-6 PM. Bring binoculars and hire a guide for 300-500 dalasi to spot wildlife and identify bird species. Best visited in dry season (November-May).

Cape Point Beach

Relax at this beautiful stretch of golden sand beach offering excellent swimming, sunbathing, and beachside dining. The beach features calm waters protected by a headland and several beachfront bars and restaurants. It's perfect for watching spectacular Atlantic sunsets and enjoying fresh seafood.

Booking Tip: Beach access is free. Sunbed rentals cost 100-200 dalasi per day. Visit beachfront restaurants like Sunset Beach Bar for meals and drinks. Best time is late afternoon for sunset views and cooler temperatures.

Botanical Gardens and Bijilo Forest Park

Explore these adjacent green spaces featuring native Gambian plants, walking trails, and resident red colobus monkeys. The Saint Vincent showcase medicinal plants and tropical species, while Bijilo Forest offers nature walks through coastal woodland. Both sites provide peaceful escapes and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Booking Tip: Combined entry costs around 150 dalasi. Open daily 8 AM-6 PM. Guides available for 300-400 dalasi and highly recommended for plant identification and monkey spotting. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Getting There

Bakau is easily accessible from Banjul International Airport, located about 30 minutes away by taxi or shared transport. Taxis from the airport cost approximately 800-1200 dalasi ($15-25 USD), while shared bush taxis are much cheaper at around 50-100 dalasi but take longer. From Banjul city center, regular bush taxis and minibuses run frequently to Bakau for about 25-50 dalasi. Many hotels and guesthouses can arrange airport transfers, and car rental services are available at the airport for those preferring to drive themselves.

Getting Around

Bakau is compact and walkable, with most attractions within easy walking distance of each other. Local transportation includes colorful bush taxis and shared minibuses that connect different areas for 10-25 dalasi per ride. Motorcycle taxis (Jakarta) are popular for short distances and cost 50-100 dalasi. Bicycle rentals are available from some hotels for around 200-300 dalasi per day. For day trips to nearby attractions, hiring a private taxi for half or full days costs 1500-3000 dalasi, which can be split among groups for economical touring.

Where to Stay

Cape Point area for beachfront hotels

Bakau Prague for budget guesthouses

Fajara for upscale resorts

Old Bakau for local atmosphere

Atlantic Road for mid-range options

Kotu area for family-friendly accommodations

Food & Dining

Bakau offers excellent dining opportunities ranging from beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood to local eateries offering traditional Gambian cuisine. Popular dishes include benachin (Gambian jollof rice), grilled fish, domoda (peanut stew), and yassa chicken. Beachfront establishments like Sunset Beach Bar and Cape Point Restaurant offer international cuisine alongside local specialties, with meals ranging from 300-800 dalasi. Local chop houses and street food vendors provide real feels at very reasonable prices (50-200 dalasi), serving everything from grilled fish and chicken to traditional breakfast porridge and fresh tropical fruits.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Gambia

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

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Ganbei Japanese Restaurant & Bar

4.5 /5

(972 reviews) 2

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Delicious Indian Cuisine & Bar

4.7 /5

(900 reviews) 2

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Nepali Chulo

4.9 /5

(200 reviews) 2

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When to Visit

The best time to visit Bakau is during the dry season from November to May, when temperatures are comfortable (20-30°C/68-86°F) and rainfall is minimal. This period offers the best conditions for beach activities, wildlife viewing, and outdoor exploration. December through February is peak tourist season with the most pleasant weather but higher prices and crowds. The rainy season (June-October) brings lush green landscapes and fewer tourists, but heavy rains can limit outdoor activities and some roads may become difficult to navigate.

Insider Tips

Learn basic Wolof greetings like 'Na nga def' (how are you) - locals appreciate the effort and it often leads to warmer interactions and better prices

Always carry small denomination dalasi notes (5, 10, 25) as vendors rarely have change for large bills, and bargaining is expected at markets

Visit the fish market early morning around 7 AM when boats return - you'll see the most activity and get the best photos, plus fish is freshest for purchasing