Photo Essay: A Source-to-Sea Canoe Journey Along River Gambia

A woman checks her traps on the River Gambia, Senegal, in the early hours of the morning, West Africa. Image ©Jason Florio
A migrant fisherwoman checks her traps on the River Gambia, The Gambia, West Africa. Image ©Jason Florio

From December 2012 to January 2013, Jason Florio and Helen Jones-Florio co-led the first recorded source-to-sea expedition by canoe along the 1130 km length of River Gambia. The two traced the river from its humble source in the remote highlands of Guinea through Senegal and into The Gambia, where it widens to nearly 14 km and exits into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Jason and Helen teamed up two old Gambian friends — Abdou Ndong, a fisherman, and Ebou Jarju, a school teacher — as our river guides and translators. Their photography offers a rare insight into the unique journey... read more Resonate Travel Magazine

All images from the river journey are available to purchase from Jason Florio’s online gallery.

Expedition Stories: A man's hands scoop up water from the source of the River Gambia, Fouta Djallon Highlands, Guinea. Image © Jason Florio
The source of the River Gambia emerging from under a rock in the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea. From this point the river meanders for 1130km through Guinea, Senegal and The Republic of The Gambia. Just before entering the Atlantic Ocean this small pool has grown to over 14km wide. Image © Jason Florio

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9/11 New York City – Images © Jason Florio

From Sept. 6-11, Projections directed by Frank Meo, will present 6 nights of presentations via zoom of the photographs of a highly acclaimed group of photographers that were present at that time.

I will be presenting at 7pm ET on Sept 7, 2026. I will be my sharing my work and experience, along with many other photographers.

Please rsvp to watch the presentations : Projections 9.11 25th Anniversary

9/11 – Jason Florio

Florio Studio – Purveyor of Fine Art Photography Prints

Check out new work by Jason Florio on the website gallery Follow on Instagram for regular updates on documentary work, and fine art photography @jasonfloriophoto

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Jason Florio: From Gambia to War Zones – A Photographer’s Journey into Risk and Resilience. Part One with Robert Young Pelton


Jason Florio: From Gambia to War Zones – A Photographer’s Journey into Risk and Resilience. Part One with Robert Young Pelton’s The World’s Most Dangerous Places Podcast

“Jason Florio grew up in London with a fascination for skateboarding and being a rebel. Early exposure to photojournalism and adventurous literature shaped his worldview, leading him to see photography not just as art, but as a tool for truth-telling in places where truth is hidden….” listen to the podcast.

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For assignment queries – Contact photography prints, and image licensing