Based on conversations with Chris Gomez, Janjanbureh.

For many years Chris Gomez has worked on the River Gambia, transporting people and goods between communities along its banks. The river has always been part of his life. But in recent years he has also become known for something much more unusual: 

helping visitors travel the entire length of the river by canoe.

Chris lives in Janjanbureh, close to the river where much of the kayaking training for local guides later took place. His first experience with kayaking came when Dave Adams of Fair Play Gambia arranged for kayaks to be shipped from England and provided some initial training in the area. Until then, Chris had spent his life on larger river transport boats, so these small craft were something entirely new.

Years later that early experience led to an extraordinary journey.

Travel writer and adventurer William David Hunt, who documents his expeditions on the Hunt4Travel channel, contacted Dave Adams while planning an ambitious challenge — to paddle the entire length of the River Gambia from the eastern boundary of the country to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Chris was the obvious person to accompany him. His knowledge of the river, the communities along its banks and the realities of river travel made him an ideal guide.

Their journey lasted 21 days.

They travelled through intense heat, at times close to 45°C, navigating long stretches of quiet river, mangrove channels and wide open water. Along the way they encountered crocodiles and hippos, camped in remote places, and occasionally stopped at lodges when the opportunity arose. 

They carried tents so they could camp when necessary.

Not being under pressure for time, they were able to explore communities along the riverbanks, experiencing different lifestyles and meeting people from a range of ethnic groups. Their arrival often attracted groups of curious children, adding to the sense of connection with the places they passed through.

They also visited sites of historical interest along the route, including a stop in Janjanbureh, where they explored the market with one of the local guides.

Halfway through the journey, Will became seriously unwell with stomach problems, believed to have come from a mango purchased in Soma. Despite this setback, the expedition continued.

As they approached the mouth of the river, conditions changed dramatically. Leaving the calmer tidal waters behind, they encountered the powerful waves of the open ocean. For several hours they battled against the swell, facing one of the most physically demanding stages of the journey. As throughout the expedition, Chris’s calm experience of river travel helped them manage the situation and continue safely.

Will documented the entire journey in film and sound, later producing a detailed account of the expedition. The recordings include the sounds of the river, the wildlife and even Will’s own drumming, capturing the atmosphere of travelling through the heart of The Gambia by water.

The journey also strengthened Chris’s reputation as someone who truly understands the river.

Not long afterwards Chris was approached again — this time directly — by a fireman  from Spain,  who had been planning a similar journey for several years. With only a limited holiday time available before his return flight, the expedition had to move faster.

Thanks to Chris’s experience from the earlier journey, the route could be planned more efficiently. Certain difficult stretches were avoided and the team travelled with greater speed.

This second expedition completed the river journey in 17 days.

Throughout the trip the visitor covered the costs of travel, accommodation and food along the route, as well as paying Chris for his time guiding the expedition. Unlike the first journey, this adventure was undertaken purely for the experience rather than for filming or documentation.

For Chris Gomez, these two journeys represent something larger than adventure alone. They show how deep knowledge of the river — built through years of local life and transport work — can connect with visitors seeking to experience The Gambia in a very different way.

Today Chris continues to live and work beside the river in Janjanbureh,  where local kayaking training has taken place. His story is a reminder that the River Gambia is not only a landscape to admire, but a living route that has shaped the lives of people along its banks for generations.

And sometimes, with the right guide, it can still carry travellers all the way from the eastern border of the country to the sea.

Story prepared from conversations with Chris Gomez