The Gambia is a great place to visit, especially to escape Europe’s winter, if you are after sunshine and beautiful, uncrowded beaches. However, as those of you who have followed me for a while will know from my previous posts, this wonderful, West African country has so much more to offer that it would be a crime if you didn’t get out and about to explore.
In previous posts I’ve covered local cuisine, traditions and festivals, visits to schools and so much more but I don’t think I’ve done justice to the wildlife. Although there is no big game (they left many years ago following a long period of drought) there are many wonderful animals to see.
Over 560 species of birds
The Gambia is most well-known for its amazing bird life and with over 560 species of birds found in a variety of habitats including mangrove swamps, open grasslands and forests, it’s no wonder that BBC’s Springwatch presenter Chris Packham quotes The Gambia as one of the best birding destinations in the world and he’s lost count of the number of times he’s been here. This February he will be once again leading a bird-watching tour with The Gambia Experience. There are also tours available with Chris’ favourite local guide Malik Suso who I was lucky enough to meet earlier in the year for an introduction to the bird life of The Gambia. With over 20 years experience he can lead you to the rarest and most beautiful species.
Above: I didn’t feel so lucky when this cattle egret pooped on my camera while I was photographing the Kairaba hotel’s swimming pool.
If you don’t want to go on an organised tour many of the hotels in the tourist area of The Gambia have extensive grounds where numerous species can be spotted. At the luxurious Kairaba hotel there are daily feedings of hooded vultures. Peacocks, cattle egrets and vervet monkeys are also regular visitors to the hotel gardens. However, one of the best hotels from where to bird-watch is the more modest hotel, Bakotu with its tropical garden and nature walk beside the Kotu stream.
Better still hire your own guide and visit one of the many areas within easy reach of the tourist area that are perfect for bird-watching. If you are staying in a hotel they will be able to recommend a good guide.
Primates
There are six primate species found in The Gambia – the vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red patas, bush babies, baboons and chimpanzees. Bijilo Monkey Park is a good place to start to look for these, especially if you are staying in the Kololi area, but to do some more serious wildlife spotting spend sometime at Abuko Nature Reserve. It’s easy to arrange a trip there independently so don’t worry about booking it with a tour operator (which will be more expensive) but I would suggest you take a good guide with you to get the most out of it. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit. Other animals you can find here include antelopes, monitor lizards, 3 types of crocodiles, cobras, pythons and, if you are lucky, the green mamba!
Alternatively head to Makasutu Forest to visit the large troop of baboons there. The local guides will soon track them down for you.
Above: Green Vervet Monkeys, Below: Red Colobus Monkey
Chimpanzees
For a real treat venture away from the main tourist area, which only occupies a small region hugging the coastline, and journey up-country where you can spend a few nights under canvas at an eco-friendly camp at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. As well as the chimps you’ll have the chance to see hippos, crocodiles, baboons, bush babies and a great variety of birds in an unspoilt jungle setting on the banks of the River Gambia.
This is the only place in The Gambia where you can find chimpanzees. You can stay here for 2 or 3 nights but no longer as it is closed to visitors for a few days each and every week so that the staff can concentrate on looking after the chimps.
Crocodiles
Other wildlife that is easy to find include crocodiles which you can visit at the Katchikally crocodile pond, near Cape Point, which is rich in tradition and it is said that your wishes will be granted here. There’s also a nice little museum. Be warned though this is a serious tourist trap and the crocodiles are hardly what you could call ‘wild’.
In fact, they are so tame people touch them. I, of course, had absolutely no intention of touching one of them when I went but some how these things just seem to happen and before I knew it I was smiling for the camera while stroking a croc!
For really lazy wildlife spotters you could do worse than spend a few hours relaxing at the Calypso Beach Bar on Cape Point where you can spot crocodiles and many bird species from the comfort of your chair with a cool beer in hand!
Update 2015: I have recently heard that the crocdiles at Katchikally are drugged but whether or not this is true I couldn’t say. Either way, I now prefer to see my animals in the wild. For a natural and more responsible crocodile experience I urge you visit the creek by Calypso Beach Bar instead. Of course there is no gaurantee that the crocs will show but that is the nature of responsible wildife watching.
As you can see, The Gambia has something for everyone interested in wildlife, from the mildly curious to the most dedicated enthusiast!
But remember, even at Katchikally….
No, seriously! I do in no way encourage you to touch any animal in The Gambia (not even the hotel cats!)
View Wildlife in The Gambia in a larger map
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Great wildlife photos! And that first sunset one is stunning,i like adventure ,camping, wild life safari,and booked my vacations with hotel kairaba gambia
Kathryn, my dream is to go wild in West Africa and you just made one step closer to me by adding these beautiful photos. I love the crocodile picture :-), so green and wonderful x I guess I need to buy a better camera to be able to capture the colour x
Thank you Agness for the lovely comment I hope you get to go wild in West Africa soon!
I have never been to Africa but would love to go there one day. South Africa is on my list. You’ve got amazing images of the animals.
I’m sure you would find Africa fascinating but like India, it is a huge continent, and I have only ever been to West Africa. I love India by the way and hope to make it back there one day.
Wildlife in abundance – the little vervet monkeys are very cute but I bet they’ve got a bite to them. Can’t believe you got up close to a croc!!
The vervet monkeys are gorgeous and I’ve never heard of them biting anyone. On the other hand I have heard of crocs that bite! yikes!
Great wildlife photos! And that first sunset one is stunning. The Gambia’s not an area of the world I know much about and didn’t know there was so much wildlife out there.
Thanks Lucy. Not my usual subject but you can get so close to many of these animals – it really is quite an experience.
Hi Kat, wonderful travel tips and photos of Gambia wildlife. It’s sad that the big games had left but at least there’s abundance of birds and primates. I love your shot of the velvet monkeys; looks like they’re looking right through me.
Thanks Marisol. I like that shot too but I do think they loook a litle sad or bewildered. Really love your beautiful photos of Barcelona – very interesting article.
Great shots! I wouldn’t have gone near that crocodile!
That’s what I thought too, but somehow these things just seem to happen, or is it just me?!
Wonderful images Kat. I nominated you today to participate in Travel SuperMarkets Capture the Color competition. The deadline is tomorrow (sorry for the short notice I was nominated yesterday).
Thanks Edith. Only just found your comment in the spam folder! Luckily I’ve already entered the competition but appreciate you thinking of me. Your entries are stunning!
I did a photoshoot with a foot long croc many years ago, the say before he had bitten a TVAM presenter, one of them had to have treatment for potential blood poisoning!
Well I’m glad he didn’t bite you! 🙂
Kathryn, Kathryn, step away from the crocodile!!
He, he! That did make me laugh. Better not tell Mum and Dad! 😉