26.06 °C, overcast clouds, Cloudiness 96%, Wind speed : 3.33 km/hFootsteps Eco Lodge, The Gambia is an award-winning, off-grid sanctuary nestled within the protected coastal forests of Gunjur, on the south coast of The Gambia — just 28 kilometres from the international airport. Founded by David and Linda and now celebrating 25 years of responsible tourism, this adult-only retreat is one of West Africa’s most celebrated sustainable luxury escapes. It is ideal for couples, solo travellers, birdwatchers, yoga and wellness seekers, and anyone ready to swap the tourist strip for something slower, richer, and far more real.
What the Stay Feels Like
Footsteps Eco Lodge is the rare kind of place that earns its five-star TripAdvisor rating not through polish, but through soul. Accommodation ranges from hand-built circular African roundhouses — constructed from locally sourced materials with interiors that stay beautifully cool without air conditioning — to spacious self-catering villas and budget chalets that still deliver a genuinely comfortable night’s sleep. The whole lodge is off-grid: no generator hum, no unnecessary emissions. What you get instead is silence — the kind where you fall asleep to a breeze moving through the trees and wake to birdsong before your alarm even has a chance.
At the heart of the lodge sits The Gambia’s only freshwater eco-pool — chemical-free and open-air — with views of the surrounding Gunjur forest. Grounds are mature and alive with fruit trees, native species, flowering bougainvillea, butterflies, frogs, and fruit bats. A tower hide gives birdwatchers a front-row seat to over 150 species recorded in the garden alone — and 560+ species accessible across The Gambia.
Evenings bring fine dining under the stars — three-course à la carte menus crafted by head chef Famara using fresh local ingredients, traditional Gambian recipes, and produce from the on-site organic garden. Weekly local entertainment and BBQs add warmth and rhythm to the social side of the stay. It is the kind of place guests return to year after year, and where the line between guest and family tends to blur.
Community & Local Connection
Footsteps Eco Lodge was built on the idea that tourism should benefit the people who live here — and that principle runs through every corner of the lodge. Staff are local, long-standing, and genuinely proud of what they do. Artisans work on the grounds daily: a silversmith, a master woodcarver, a traditional weaver, and a tailor, all practising their craft and welcoming guests who want to learn alongside them.
The on-site organic garden is managed by Saikou, who grows much of the fresh produce used in the kitchen. The local baker delivers fresh bread every morning. Fruit comes from trees within the lodge itself. Guided excursions are arranged through local drivers and community guides, with itineraries shaped around what guests want to experience — not what is easiest to sell.
In 25 years, David and Linda have built something that proves luxury and responsibility are not opposites. They are, in fact, the same thing.
What to Do Nearby
Birdwatching — Explore the lodge’s own tower hide and surrounding Gunjur forest, then venture to Bijilo Forest Park and Tanji Bird Reserve with expert local guides; over 560 species recorded across The Gambia
Yoga and wellness — Join yoga retreats held at the lodge’s shala, or arrange private sessions in the garden; a natural setting that deepens every practice
Kayaking — Sunrise or sunset paddling along the Gambia River through lush mangroves, with chances to spot hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds
Fishing — Deep-sea fishing excursions along the Atlantic coast; barracuda, sailfish, and snapper in open waters; local fishing village visits also available
Cultural and community day trips — Visit the nation’s capital, a women’s farming initiative, the Kunta Kinteh (St. James) Island UNESCO site, local pottery workshops, the Ninki Nanka Trail, and more
Workshops on-site — Ten hands-on workshops including cooking with Mary, drumming with Mani, kora with Jeli Yankuba, Gambian dance, silversmithing, basket weaving, and massage
Wildlife experiences — Visits to Abuko Nature Reserve, Tanji Bird Reserve, a reptile and snake farm, and a local mobile vet programme for wildlife-minded guests
All guided experiences follow community-respectful and wildlife-safe standards — local leadership, small groups, and genuine cultural exchange.
Who This Eco-Stay Is Best For
Couples and honeymooners seeking quiet, off-grid luxury away from the tourist crowd
Birdwatchers and naturalists drawn to one of West Africa’s richest wildlife corridors
Yoga and wellness retreat groups looking for an authentic, jungle-backed shala setting
Solo travellers ready to connect with a lodge that truly feels like home
Conscious travellers who want their money to stay in the community and mean something
Good to Know Before You Book
Best time to visit: November to May — warm, sunny, and dry; The Gambia averages 30°C and 10 hours of sunshine daily during this season. The lodge does not operate during the summer rains.
Getting there: Banjul International Airport is 28 km from the lodge; transfers can be arranged through the team.
Stay vibe: Off-grid luxury — elegant, calm, and genuinely sustainable; no generator noise, no unnecessary carbon. Everything runs quietly and intentionally.
Accommodation options: Circular roundhouses (lodge-style), luxury villas (Sunbird House, Kaira Bunga, Tickety-Boo), and budget Ndey’s Chalets — all comfortable, all clean, all in tune with the landscape.
Adult-only: The lodge offers an exclusive adult-only experience, ensuring a consistently tranquil atmosphere for all guests.
Dining: Open-view kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, and three-course à la carte dinners daily. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy needs all catered for with great care.
Sustainability tip: Bring a reusable water bottle, support the on-site artisans directly, and consider joining a beach clean-up day — the team organises them regularly.
Mobility: Grounds are natural and mature; terrain is relatively even but not fully adapted for limited mobility. Contact the team for specific requirements.
What to pack: Lightweight breathable clothing, binoculars for birdwatching, a good book for hammock afternoons, sun protection, and a genuine curiosity for the world around you.
Retreat groups: Footsteps regularly hosts yoga and wellness retreats; contact David and Linda directly for group rates and tailored programmes.
How to Book
TrUsMileWay doesn’t process bookings or payments. When you’re ready, click the Book Now button to reserve directly with Footsteps Eco Lodge on their official website — simple, transparent, and COMMISSION-FREE.
Explore with care — this place depends on it.
Turn your GREEN MILES into GOLDEN EXPERIENCES.
TrUsMileWay Sustainability Credentials Covered by This Eco-Stay
Location
Weather
Weather in Footsteps Eco Lodge, The Gambia, Off Coastal Highway, Gunjur, The Gambia
26.06 °C, overcast clouds, Cloudiness 96%, Wind speed : 3.33 km/h
