Banjul

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Roots Juffureh River Cruise
Tour Code: BNJ-001
Duration: 8 hours
Retail Value: $229.00
Price: $129.00

Discover the land of Alex Haley's epic novel and TV series, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, during this scenic and memorable full-day cruise along the Juffureh River.

Depart Banjul Port via boat for the long, relaxing cruise up-river to the centuries-old trading station of Albreda, whose flagpole gained fame during the slave-trade days. According to local lore, the flagpole was once thought to guarantee freedom to any slave who touched it after escaping from nearby James Island.

Next, you will proceed to the Museum of Slavery for a unique insight into Gambia's slave trade. From here, you will take a short walk to the village of Juffure, purported birthplace of Kunta Kinte, the central character in the novel and TV series, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The original home of Alex Haley's great-great-grandfather stands near the mosque; it is still inhabited by the family, and may be visited during your stroll through the village.

You will then embark the boat again and be served lunch while continuing your river cruise towards James Island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is steeped in slave trade history. Although you will not set foot on the island, the boat will cruise close enough for you to see the fortress ruins and learn about its history from your guide. Following your visit, you will commence the cruise back to the pier. En route, you may see dolphins swimming in the estuary.

Please note: The boat is very basic, and the only one available for this tour. It features an inside cabin and an open deck. The inside cabin is not air-conditioned; windows will be kept open, and fans will run to keep the inside of the boat as comfortable as possible. The boat ride is long and can be monotonous; we recommend bringing along a book or crossword puzzle. The seating on-deck consists of plastic chairs that are not bolted to the floor; please use caution when moving around. The actual duration of the tour depends on the river's current and tide. Wear lightweight, comfortable clothing, and bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses from the ship.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.