One Day Trip To Roots Village & James Island
The American author Alex Haley traced his African origin back to The Gambia and wrote the now famed book about his ancestor Kunta Kinteh. which spurned the epic and world renowned TV series Roots.
After traveling by river or road, you will arrive at the ancient trading station of Albreda, from there you take a short walk to the adjoining village of Jufureh, where you can visit the National Museum of Slavery and then on to the home of Alex Haleys ancestors and his present day family.
Here you can meet relatives and hear accounts from the familys history. Lunch is served on board the boat before setting off for James Island, about 15 minutes away. James Island has the ruined remains of the fortress and slave pens built by the British in 1610.
It is rich in slave history and is the place where hundreds of captured slaves awaited transport to a life of enslavement in the west.
Roots, Juffreh and James Island by Land
Departure Time 6 – 6.30 am
Drive to Barra 25 minute
Drive through local villages to Albredda 90 minutes
Join a boat for the crossing to James Island. 45 minutes
Visit the ruined British fort 60 minutes
Return by boat to Albredda and Juffreh 45 minutes
Lunch and Visit to Juffreh Slavery Museum and the Kinteh family home
Drive to Barra 90 minutes
Visit to Fort Bullen while waiting for transport.
Return to Feel Free Lodge around 6pm.
Roots, Juffreh and James Island by Boat
Departure Time 6 – 6.30 am
Drive through Bond Road to the Marine Port at Banjul 25 minute
Join the boat for the sail to Albredda 2 hours
Visit to Juffreh Slavery Museum and the Kinteh family home 60 minutes
Join a boat for lunch on board while cruissing to James Island. 45 minutes
Visit the ruined British fort 60 minutes
Join the boat for 2 hour cruise back to Barra with a view of dolphins.
Return to Feel Free Lodge around 6pm.