NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The stone circles are near the island and town of Janjangbureh (formerly Georgetown), Gambia
ACCESS Open daily; admission fee
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 73°F (23°C); Apr: 90°F (32°C); Jul: 82°F (28°C); Oct: 84°F (29°C)
At Wassu, ancient stones of similar shape have been arranged in circles, like people getting together for a square dance. This site has 11 such circles, and is one of the largest stone-circle complexes among hundreds spread over 200 miles (333 km) on the Gambia River’s north bank.
It is said to be the world’s greatest concentration of stone circles. Most were made between 1300 BC and AD 750 from a local sandstone, laterite, and the largest can weigh up to 10 tons. They form part of a burial ritual and superstition about their powers has kept them from being plundered. A museum in Wassu explains their mysteries.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around The town of Janjangbureh on a river island is the nearest base, and is a 5-hour drive from the capital, Banjul. From there, you can take taxis from the ferry terminal on the north bank 6 miles (10 km) from Wassu.
When to Go The weather is good year-round. To avoid rain, visit Nov–Jun.