An Experience I Will Never Forget - This was the best excursion I have been on so far on my cruise through west Africa. We were looking for a true peek into local life here in The Gambia, and Black and White Safari could not have delivered that experience more perfectly. We were picked up by MuHammed and Bax at the cruise port, and immediately welcomed warmly. We were then driven to a local household where I met the woman who made our entire day and experience as wonderful as it was. Her name is Kalla and she is the kindest and most generous soul. She dressed me in local clothes and it was absolutely beautiful. Afterwards, she guided us through a local market and we shopped for the ingredients we would be cooking with for the day. Kalla asked what I wanted to eat and we purchased ingredients accordingly. I cannot overstate how unique and special it was to have the opportunity to experience the markets in The Gambia. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life and I will treasure this memory forever. After we were done getting produce and meat, we went back to Kalla’s home and began cooking immediately. It seems like the experience is as hands on as you make it, so I made it clear I wanted to fully help and prepare lunch with Kalla. I highly recommend getting involved in this process because it was so fun and educational and rewarding to see the fruits of your labor in the meal at the end. I was able to help prepare our meat, clean and chop the vegetables, wash rice, prep every ingredient that went into our food in the way that Kalla would do at home for herself and her family. Everything was new to me and I was shown immense patience and felt so much joy and love from Kalla welcoming me into her space and routine. The food ended up being DELICIOUS. I was not expecting the delightful flavors and textures that would come from ingredients I prepped myself from scratch. I highly recommend eating Domoda, or their peanut sauce stew with chicken and rice. At the end of the meal, I helped clean up and do the dishes and this also taught me so much about the local way of life. Kalla also sent me home with some Gambian peanut butter of my own and some snacks so that I can recreate the meal myself in the future. I am amazed by the people here and their joy and disposition. The call this country “The Smiling Coast of Africa” and I feel like I really understand how they’ve earned that name after today. Despite being Africa’s smallest country, the spirit and love I felt here was huge and life changing. Please try this experience if you want to be welcomed like family and experience the authentic local spirit. I’m so grateful for the experience I had here and it’s one I will never forget.

Cooking in Gambian compound. - Amazing experience with Sophie in her beautiful home, shopping, cooking and eating traditional Gambian food. Armstrong and his team are so accommodating, and think of everything. We had 3 excursions and all 3 were fantastic.

Outstanding full day shopping for, cooking and eating a festive meal - When visiting The Gambia, to can count on Armstrong and his amazing team of Black and White Safari. We were 14 guests for this private shore excursion off the Holland America Zuiderdam. We started our cultural experience working thru the Banjul outdoor market where staff purchased the food and spices we would prepare for our opulent meal. We were hosted at Armstrong’s family home were we pitched in preparing the meal. Delicious. A real cultural immersion.

Relaxed boat trip in Gambia with Janeya Tours - A relaxing boat trip with Janeya tours. A delicious lunch buffet was prepared on the boat itself, in a 1 m2 kitchen. While the two cooks were busy, the boat sailed between the mangroves. We saw birds, women harvesting oysters and there was time for fishing. There was plenty of drinks on the boat, coffee and tea with something on the side, but also soft drinks and beer. On the boat you have the option to sit in the sun or in the shade. Highly recommended for a relaxing day.

Black and white - Had a 7am start with Muhammad from black and white went down to banjul ferry not there got carried to a dugout wow experiance in its self went other side of river gambia and into a open top 4x4 crossed into Senegal no problem and on to safari Park was given a huge stick and went walking with lions fantastic experiance and then into safari Park needless to say returned on real ferry thank you Muhammad for a fantastic day a memory for life

Cooking a traditional Gambian meal - Myself and my girlfriend went on the cooking tour. It was amazing we saw a traditional Gambian Compound, went to the market to buy fresh food and fish then we returned to the compound to cook two complete meals that would feed 30 people. Being in the open air, seeing the young children and helping with the cooking was delightful.

Add Immediately to Your Vacation Agenda - This was an excellent experience, I would highly recommend adding this to your agenda when visiting the Gambia. The owner, Amadou, opened his home and family up so that we can experience authentic Gambian home cooking. First we changed into traditional clothing. Then wee were able to go to the market, pick out all the ingredients needed for cooking. It was a hands on experience. We cut vegetables, prepped the food, and actually cooked. We also enjoyed Ataya (Gambian Tea) while we cooked. My favorite part was sitting together to enjoy the meal. We ate from one large dish and everything was delicious. By far better than any restaurant (and the food at the Gambian restaurants are tasty). It's a full day experience, but worth the time. We plan on visiting The Gambia again and will make sure to do this tour again to try a different meal.

Experience Gambian life first hand - and get to eat what you cook!! - Fabulous experience from start to finish. My daughter and myself were met promptly at hotel reception by our friendly guide who, with his driver, took us to a Gambian home where we chose the meal we would like to cook. Dressed in Gambian clothes, making the experience even more authentic, we were taken to the market to purchase the necessary ingredients. Didn’t realise that ingredients are purchased fresh every day as they don’t have facilities to keep them fresh! Back at the family home we prepared the ingredients with guidance from our Gambian family. We helped with the whole process of preparing, cooking on the charcoal fires, cleaning the pots, serving the food and finally sharing the meal with the family. Felt fully immersed in this Gambian experienced and quite humbled by the work needed to prepare the meal. Never will I complain about preparing Sunday dinner at home again!! Brilliant experience and learning opportunity. Thank you Black and White Safari - a memorable day!

Great company - This is an absolutely first Class trustworthy company COVID has hit hard yet they still keep smiling Armstrong always contacts you even in the uk before you arrive He will get you at the airport if needed and you are very safe on all of the trips , we have used them now for many years and they have become friends A go fund me page had been set up to raise much needed funds to help local communities Gambia is a bit off the beaten track but the weather and the people are lovely well worth going .. see the real Gambia with Black and white safaris Black and while , we will see you again , keep up the good work for the communities you support Thank you Ian and Darryl lewis

Met our expectations! - We did two tours with Black & White Safari (home cooking and four wheel drive) and they also helped us organize land transport between Dakar and the Gambia. We traveled with our three young children who really enjoyed the experience! We were grateful for all the support provided by Armstrong before and during our trip and are happy to recommend his company!