Basse Santa Su

Basse Santa Su is the last town on the Gambian river and the commercial centre of the upper river, close enough to Senegal on both banks and to Guinea beyond that trade crosses constantly. Its riverside market draws people from all three, and a ferry crosses to the north bank. The old trading warehouse on the waterfront survives from the groundnut era, and the river here is narrow and green.

What you actually see

• The riverside market - trade crossing from Senegal and beyond.
• The ferry crossing - the link to the north bank at the town.
• The old warehouse - the surviving trading building on the waterfront.
• The upper river - a narrower, greener stretch than downstream.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season. The rains from June to October green the country and make roads slow. Market days are busiest.

Honest expectations

The drive from the coast takes around seven hours on a road with rough stretches. There is little arranged for visitors. Heat in the upper river outside the cool months is severe.

Nearby

Janjanbureh is west, and the Senegalese border is close on both banks.