Expeditions

‘River Gambia Expedition – 1044km source-sea African odyssey’

November 2012 – January 2013 – after 400km overland in the Fouta Djallon Highlands of Guinea-Conakry into Senegal we then put our two canoes into the river in Kedougou – we paddled (no engine – just paddle power) over 700km of the River Gambia to its end, at the Atlantic Ocean in Banjul, The Gambia. Jason Florio & Helen Jones-Florio

The River Gambia Expedition team at the end of the journey at Denton Bridge, The Gambia — We made it! 1044km later – the River Gambia Expedition team at the end of the journey at Denton Bridge, and the Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia, West Africa.

Young men on a float taking a generator to a banana plantation on the River Gambia, Senegal, West Africa © Jason Florio

During our travels, we bounced and rattled down the mountains of the Fouta Djallon on the back of motorcycle taxis; hung out with gold miners in Senegal; drank attayah tea with village chiefs and elders; dodged very angry hippos on the River Gambia; and, as we paddled on the increasingly widening ocean-like river, we battled the wind and waves, as we neared the Atlantic, in The Gambia, and the end of our journey.

Helen & ‘mototaxi’ rider, Ebu, and River Gambia Expedition team member, Ebou with his rider – leaving Mali Ville, Guinea-Conakry © Jason Florio

All in all, it was a phenomenal journey. To see more, please visit the expedition page on Jason Florio’s website

@floriophotos @jasonflorio – Instagram

'Silfando' Village chief, Herouna Tunkara and his horse ©Jason Florio — Village chief, Herouna Tunkara and his horse. Image © Jason Florio ‘Silafando’

‘A Short Walk in the Gambian Bush – 930km African odyssey’

In October-December, 2009, we made the first recorded circumnavigation of The Republic of The Gambia, West Africa, completely on foot – along with two donkeys and cart, to carry our camera and camping equipment.

'Silafando' - gambian village chiefs and elders. Portraits ©Jason Florio — ‘Silafando’ – Gambian village chiefs (Alkalo/Alkali), and elders. Portraits ©Jason Florio

‘Silafando – ‘a gift to you on behalf of my journey‘

Jason’s portraits of village chiefs (Alkalo’s) and elders, which he took whilst we were on the 930km walk, have since become an award-winning body of work – ‘Silafando’ , a local Mandinka word which translates as: ‘a gift to you on behalf of my journey‘

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