Assan and Renata's Private Paradise | Established Campground

February 14th, 2024 by alfred.k

what can I tell you? Assan is a nice guy. and as you can read he's working hard to realise his dream. But be aware... he's still Gambien. He helped with lots of things, and I'm grateful for that... but after two more weeks in Gambia I know now that he cheated several times.
So be careful, and fix all prices in advance.
just some examples that you know what I'm talking about:
- he was getting a SIM for me (super nice). but he told me it's 200 dal to buy one, now I know it's free.
- he told me the price for the night is 600dal (as you can read it below). when paying he explained that now the 600 is per person! in the end we agreed that this is not ok, and I paid 600 per car... and so on.

I can still recommend the place... just be careful about prices!

As well he promised to make a menu (which I should put in here). so that in advance everyone knows what the prices are... of course he never sent it 🤔.

Still the place is cool! maybe the best option in town.

January 27th, 2024 by rienekeleenders

When we arrived on Thursday, we had no idea that Janjanbureh's major festival would happen that weekend. so we stayed here until we had to leave Gambia three days later. we had such a good time: It is the cleanest Gambian run campground that we know, swimming in the river is easy, (bucket operated) bathroom facilities are clean and Assan went above and beyond to make our life comfortable. He went with us to the festival and made sure we didn't get overcharged and arranged some prime seats. In the morning he can deliver fresh bread. Such a good experience!

January 26th, 2024 by Toby2101

Really nice and peaceful place, directly ar the river.
15 Min. walk to town.
The campground is still growing and Assan (the boss) is working Hard, to get everything done.
He also shows you the village, with all the historic things about the culture of Gambia and the history.

600 per night for 2 people and a truck
You can order bread for breakfast.

January 25th, 2024 by Toby2101

Teally nice and peaceful, but simple.
There is shower & toilet, but only with bucket use.
600D for 2 Perdons with a big Camper/ night.

December 19th, 2023 by toxice-reader34

Beautiful. If you want peace and quiet next to the Gambia river, this is the place. The road leading from the town to the camp is easy and straightforward. I was travelling on a large motorbike, and I would say it’s just as easy for two or four wheel drive. Sherrif the caretaker was great, offering help and advice, and he can arrange a bit trip to see the hippo’s if you want to do that. Washing and toilet means using river water but that’s how things are. A beautiful location, a nice breeze coming off the river, and most of all, peace and quiet.

November 29th, 2023 by AbuOnTour

Very nice place to relax at the Gambian riverside.
Ibrahim, Assan’s brother, is taking care of the place. You can reach him at:
+220 3413151

July 16th, 2023 by faramund.blog

Lovely spot right at the river, and Assan is very helpful and welcoming! He can also help you to contact Alaji from the Slavehouse for a visit.
Very clean bucket toilet and shower available

July 12th, 2023 by dutchdaf

Difficult to reach without 4wd in the rainy season. Please note that there is no ATM in Janjanbureh. Assan is friendly. The campsite is extremely basic but nice.

March 25th, 2023 by lanyoverland.com

Nice camping place right by the river. No running water or electricity ..

March 7th, 2023 by paulo-machado

For overlander this is the Best place: outside from the town, in the nature, close the the river (we heard hippos every night and saw monkeys every morning). The place is clean and well maintained. Walk until the town is 15mn. We payed 5000 cfa per night for 2 persons with ours 4x4.

February 23rd, 2023 by travelove.org

Unfortunately that place turned into a ripoff place. They now ask for 800 pp in a simple room or 500 for camping. Without breakfast, far from town and with simply nothing but the beautiful setting. Not possible to bargain. Imagine paying 1600 for a room for two… We left and went to Dream Bird Lodge.

December 19th, 2022 by ba2674

Nothing to add. Very nice place. Assan is helpful with everything (SIM card, dinner, beer...)

November 28th, 2022 by 76Overland

As described by others. No running water yet (Assan hopes in January). But a lovely place right by the river. we enjoyed the quietness, swim in the river and Assan is a really nice guy!

Just give him a call (number mentioned by other people below) if you find the gate closed, or let him know before when you're coming.

November 18th, 2022 by advhoppers.eu

A very calm and quiet place at the edge of Georgetown (15 min walk to the "centre"). Great hospitality and a lot of help from Assan. We stayed for 2 nights because we enjoyed it so much.
Note, there is no electricity or running water, there is no ATM in town (money exchange is possible though).
Make sure you visit the museum and listen to the story under the Freedom Tree - extremely interesting! You can also take a boat trip and if lucky, you will see hippos and other animals :)
Assan has nice plans for the future of the place (including having fresh water and solar electricity).

November 6th, 2022 by No Fear Reizen

Now, this place is turned into a real established campsite. They advertise camping.

November 6th, 2022 by No Fear Reizen

We visited this place in november’22. Great welcome by Assan which is a friendly straight person. Will help you with all your needs. The place is quite settled on the south bank of the Gambia. No running water but you can use river water for everything. Including drinking, they say. We did not. Possibility to fish, make a tour by foot and swim in the river. Worth to visit more than one single night!

August 22nd, 2022 by Lemontree

A really great oasis of peace surrounded by many trees and directly on the river.
It was so nice that we unexpectedly stayed 4 nights and enjoyed a lot of exchange with Assan. We also went on a boat trip with him and were able to see a large hippo family! Incredibly great! He also organises food, beers, money exchange, water filling for the vehicle. Everything you need.
To contact Assan use this number to call: +220 786 2254. You better call him, even if he has WhatsApp, he can only use it sometimes.

However, there is no running water at the campsite. So showers and toilets are only possible with a bucket or your own system in the vehicle. We found this quite sufficient and enjoyed the bucket shower directly in the river!

The access road to the campsite was manageable in the rainy season, even with a large truck. Here and there some low-hanging branches, but doable.

We put some current pictures.

March 25th, 2020 by Dreamthedream

as others have described. perfect location for travellers looking for a camp site, right on the river bank. glad I found it

November 18th, 2019 by fourwheelwander

Great camp. Assan is really hospital. We had view on the river and stayed for 3 nights. Assan is working really hard to make it beautiful! Shower and toilet are new only not connected to water yet. That is the next project. No running water and wifi. We also went on a boat trip to see hippos!

February 26th, 2019 by michialex.munich

very nice upcoming camping ground direct at the river. Assan is the young very creative owner, building all facilities on its own.
You can reach him at 7862254 / 3697758.
Assan also has a boat for watching hippos

February 16th, 2019 by tomenansschaap

This place is a private compound at the bank of the river Gambia.
Assan (Gambian) and Renata (Dutch) build this lovely place. The garden allready has beautiful flowers. If you want to visit, please call 7862254 / 6991758 / 3697758 if there is nobody at the gate.
It is at the very east end of GeorgeTown and very quiet. There is a cool breaze from the river.
They are still building up this place. So for now you have a bucket shower and a toilet with seat also to flush with a bucket. The ablusion is very new with nice tiles.
You pay just at donation base. They use the money to build more.
You can come with 4x4, motor and tent, big rig. All will fit nicely under or between the mango trees. They organize boat trips to hippo island for example.
If you are lucky you will see or hear the hippo's at your very doorstep!