The Kanifing Municipality is the economic citadel and the commercial capital of The Gambia. The municipality is home to the majority of financial institutions and international bodies in the country. There are several monuments and statues in the municipality, including the Peace Dove in Bakau and the Youth Monument and Palm Wine Taper on top of a palm tree at Westfield.
The eastern boundary of Kanifing municipality towards Banjul city is formed by a swampy, winding water creek which is used by bird watchers and marine ecologists to cruise through. Several motorised or paddled canoes are available to take visitors through the thick meandering mangroves.
There are cultural shrines and small islands, at Abuko and Tallinding off shores. There is the Abuko Nature Reserve, which is a national park, has many animals, trees, reptiles, climbing mammals, tigers and lions in it. The Tanbi Wetland is a beautiful natural area running from Bakau to Abuko.
Of most significant attractions is the Katchikally Sacred Crocodile Pool located in Bakau. This culturally sacred pool is over 100 years old. It has over 100 crocodiles, which are tame. Thousands of tourists visit the pool yearly to take photos with the crocodiles which are held by their tails or other body parts. It is traditionally believed that women who cannot conceive can go to bath on the side of the pool, in order to be able to give birth to children. The grave of Imam Sait Matty Bah, a religious conqueror from Senegal, is located nearby and is visited by religious scholars across the sub region to earn prayers.
There is a botanical Garden in Bakau with many plant species. One can visit a variety of art galleries and see the dying of beautiful cloth by Sarahuleh women. Craft markets in the municipality are home to talented wood carvers, weavers, and artists, so you will be sure to find a souvenir for your time in Kanifing.
Most of the main roads are tarred, while the secondary and tertiary roads are graveled. Most transportation options include minibuses and taxis. Motorcycles and bicycles are used particularly by youths. There are some horse and donkey carts, which are used to transport goods, especially in the periphery of the municipality.
The Banjul International Airport is 16 km from the municipality and taxis are available 24 hours/day. The municipality hosts the only National Stadium where many national and all international matches are held. The National Stadium has a capacity of 35,000 seats with VIP capacity of 120 seats. The Stadium has a football field, volleyball court, tennis lawn, basketball court, athletic field track, a swimming pool, and flood lighting system. There is a hostel in the stadium which has a capacity of over 450 beds. There are four other mini stadiums in the municipality and several local football fields. There are many gyms centers operated by private individuals.
No matter what you are interested in, there is plenty to see and do in Kanifing municipality.
