Sankandi Battlefield

The Sankandi Battlefield, located in the Kiang West district, is the site of one of the most consequential military conflicts in the history of the British colonization of The Gambia. In June 1900, a local dispute over land rights and administrative authority escalated between the traditional ruler (Mansa) of Sankandi and the British administration. The conflict culminated in the assassination of two British commissioners, Sitwell and Silva, triggering a massive military retaliation by the West African Frontier Force and the Royal Navy. In 1901, Sankandi was almost completely destroyed by heavy artillery fire, which finally broke organized armed resistance against British rule in the Lower River District. The battle marked the end of the Soninke-Marabout Wars era in this area and solidified the colonial infrastructure. Today, a simple memorial commemorates the fallen warriors and the destruction of the village, and the site remains deeply embedded in the collective memory of the Gambian people as a symbol of resistance against foreign rule.

Nearby cities

Soma

Soma is a major transport hub in the Lower River Region, at the crossing of the Trans-Gambia Highway.

Mansa Konko

Mansa Konko is the administrative seat of the Lower River Region, located on a hill overlooking the Gambia River.

Tendaba

A picturesque fishing village on the Gambia River and the main starting point for exploring the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve.

Kalagi

Kalagi is a town in the Foni Jarrol district, strategically located on the South Bank Road and serving as an important local hub.

Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve

A vast wetland area on the north bank of the Gambia River, protecting a rich birdlife and complex mangrove ecosystems.

Kerewan

Kerewan is the administrative capital of the North Bank Region, situated along a bolong (creek) of the Gambia River.

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Sibanor

Sibanor is an important commercial center on the South Bank Road, known for its medical facilities.

Kaur

Kaur is a historic trading town on the north bank of the Gambia River, known for its once-thriving peanut trade.

Faraba Banta

Faraba Banta is a town in the West Coast Region, known for its agriculture and nearby sandstone mining.

History & landmarks

Kiang West National Park

One of the largest and most important national parks in Gambia, offering rich wildlife and untouched nature.

Senegambia Bridge

Also known as the Trans-Gambia Bridge, it connects the north and south banks of the Gambia River.

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Berending Sacred Crocodile Pool

A sacred site in the North Bank District, known for its religious significance and its crocodiles.

Nature

Gambia River

The Gambia River is one of the most important waterways in West Africa, winding through the entire country to the Atlantic.

Bintang Bolong

The largest tributary of the Gambia River, known for its vast mangrove landscapes.

More places

Kiang West Plateau

An extensive high plateau within the Kiang West National Park, rising significantly above the river's tidal creeks.

Kiang West National Park

One of the largest and most important wildlife reserves in The Gambia, with diverse flora and fauna.

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Keneba Plateau

An elevated plain in the Lower River Region, situated above the surrounding mangrove swamps.

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Kwinella Hills

Gentle elevations in the Lower River Region that characterize the surroundings of Kwinella.

Elephant Island

A large island in the Gambia River that gets its name from its shape, which resembles an elephant.

Bwiam Stone Circle

A significant prehistoric monument in the West Coast Region, part of the extensive megalithic culture.

Farafenni Livestock Market

A major regional market for trading cattle, sheep, and goats, central for the region's livestock farmers.

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Kataba Fort

Ruins of a pre-colonial earth fort used in the 19th century during local conflicts and against colonial encroachments.