safari park in gambia

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Gambia Safari Tours & Holidays

The Gambia is a small West African country, bounded by Senegal, with a narrow Atlantic coastline. It’s known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River.  Abundant wildlife in its Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve includes monkeys, leopards, hippos, hyenas and rare birds, the main capital Banjul and nearby Serrekunda offer access to beach holidays.

The wildlife of The Gambia forms one of the most memorable elements of any trip to the country, offering endless unforgettable encounter opportunities, whether in the grounds of your hotel or in the realms of a sprawling nature reserve.

One of the best ways to spot some of The Gambia’s most famous species is to embark on one of our specialists’ guided safaris though others may prefer to go DIY and plan their own wildlife trips. Whichever way you choose to discover the country’s beautiful and intriguing inhabitants.

Hidden away in the beautiful African bush along a tributary of the River Gambia, Mandina lodges is set within the heart of nature, and quite often you’ll find that during a stay here, nature will in fact come to find you.

Besides the several baboons and other monkeys that roam freely around Mandina, the birdlife discovered out on the water is incredible. An early morning canoe ride is a great way of catching the area’s birdlife at its most active, and you can expect to see an abundance of kingfishers, herons and weaver birds, amongst many other species.

How to get to the Gambia

Titan Airways and Small Planet Airlines offer twice-weekly flights from Birmingham (BHX) and Manchester (MAN) to Banjul during the winter months. Air Brussels also flies from Birmingham to Banjul with a stopover in Brussels, while Royal Air Morac flies from Manchester with a layover in Casablanca.

Passport, Visa and Entry requirements for The Gambia

The Government of The Gambia requires visitors to obtain a visa upon entering the country. You must have at least one blank page in your passport for the stamp. Tourist travellers are typically granted a 30-day stay in The Gambia upon arrival.

The health sector of Gambia

Gambia’s health sector has over the years been under great pressure due to a number of factors: the high population growth rate, inadequate financial and logistic support, shortage of adequately and appropriately trained health staff, high attrition rate and lack of efficient and effective referral system. so travellers can access private hospitals but you will need a travel insurance

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination for the Gambia

Some vaccines are recommended or required for the Gambia. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for the Gambia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis and tetanus.

Malaria is a risk in The Gambia. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Currency of  Gambia

The Gambian Dalasi is the official currency for the Gambia, a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country in Africa, surrounded by Senegal, except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia River, the nation’s namesake, flows through the country’s centre and before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

Official Language of   Gambia

The Gambia is a former British Colony and the official language is English but there are also several tribal languages including Mandinka and Wolof. Educated in English, most Gambians are at least bilingual.

Best time to travel to the Gambia

The weather is always warm, thanks to its position of the equator, but the best time to visit the Gambia is the long dry season of mid-October to early June when the roads will be passable, and the weather is good for wildlife visits and beaches.

What to wear in the Gambia

Both The Gambia and Senegal are conservative, predominantly Muslim countries. Away from beaches and pools, backpackers should always dress modestly. Cotton or natural fibres are always preferable in the heat and do not bring anything white if you want it to stay that way.

What to bring while travelling to The Gambia

Casual, comfortable clothes are the key when travelling in The Gambia. The local way of life is very laid back and relaxed.

• During the day it’s hot, so our advice is to pack lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics such as linen, bamboo and cotton that will keep you cool and are easy to wash and dry.
• The local dress is bright and colourful.
• But do avoid blue or black clothing – the tsetse flies are drawn to these colours, and their bite can give you African sleeping sickness.
• Mosquitoes are most active around late afternoon and through the evening. We strongly recommend you take a good insect repellent with you. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers will also help.
• Wear plenty of sunscreen protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.
• It would be wise to bring along a versatile travel jacket. We like the SCOTe VEST travel jacket because it has excellent storage (specifically tailored for travelling), can convert into a vest during warmer months and includes RFID security features.

Car hire and driving in the  Gambia

Self-drive hire is expensive in The Gambia and often not worth the effort if you don’t really know your way around. Then you will need to consider if you need a 4×4. Otherwise, highway taxi transport is very cheap in European terms. By December the sand roads will be dry again, but this is very SOFT sand in parts and rocks and rubble gets dumped in the puddles during the rains so we all have to work out where the new ones are and/or follow a local. If you do hire wait to get here, a few companies advertise along the main highway and face to face you pay in cash, see the car and the documents and can get a better deal. Even then they may offer you a driver door to door! Save your arms and your nerves.

Accommodation in the Gambia

Banjul is the capital and the largest city in The Gambia. Has decent accommodation but outside of Gambian capital Banjul this start getting remote and clients planning a safari to the Gambia should ensure they pre-book accommodation in Advance.

Local food of  Gambia

Domoda is the national dish of Gambia. It is a delicious “groundnut stew” (peanuts) consisting of whatever vegetable happens to be available, typically pumpkin or sweet potatoes, and a saucy base.

Tipping while Travelling in the Gambia

When you are staying in the major hotels it is expected that you are going to give a tip. Room service personnel also expect tips, but it is wiser to give them a small gratuity of about £1-2 a couple of times a week, than waiting until your departure.

Further information for The Gambia

The Gambia is a West African county that is mainland Africa’s smallest. The borders generally follow the Gambia River, which flows through the middle of the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The estimated 2019 population is 2.23 million, which ranks 146th in the world and the area is 10,500 sq.

Safety of Gambia

The Gambia is reasonably safe as long as you take sensible precautions to safeguard your personal possessions. There are a number of checkpoints operating in and around the capital Banjul. Expect your vehicle to be searched if you’re stopped by security forces.

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Ten Things to Do in The Gambia Zoo Jarreng Gambia

1. Explore the Park on Foot or by Bicycle

2. visit the animal exhibits, 3. take a safari, 4. participate in educational programs, 5. enjoy the park’s nature trails, 6. take a boat ride, 7. visit the reptile house, 8. take a night tour, 9. visit the bird aviary, 10. participate in conservation programs.

•  Arch 22
•  Banjul Arch 22
•  Bijilo Forest Park
•  Kachikally Crocodile Pool
•  Kunta Kinteh Island
•  Makasutu Culture Forest
•  Tanji Bird Reserve
•  The Gambia Bird Sanctuary
•  The Gambia Craft Market
•  The Gambia National Museum
•  The Gambia National Park
•  The Gambia Reptile Park
•  The Gambia River
•  The Gambia Safari Adventure
•  The Gambia Safari Park
•  The Gambia Safari Tours
•  The Gambia Wildlife Reserve
•  The Gambia Zoo
•  Abuko Nature Reserve
•  Albert Market

Plan an unguided wildlife safari in The Gambia

The Gambia, a tiny country on the West Coast of Africa that remains something of an undiscovered destination.

The smallest country in Africa is full of surprises and has so much more than its magnificent coastline.

The Gambia is primarily considered a beach holiday destination . Just six hours by flight from the UK or elsewhere in Western Europe, it is becoming a place for adventurous sun seekers . And while it does have some stunning beaches, there is a good deal more to this country than just lying in the sun.

This effervescent little nation is also home to wonderful African wildlife . Best of all, you don’t need a guided safari to explore it all. In The Gambia you can make your own safari.

Essential Information About The Gambia

Before entering the world of hippos and colobus monkeys, here is some important information to help you plan a holiday.

Where is The Gambia and how do you get there?

The Gambia is completely surrounded by Senegal on Africa’s western coast. It’s increasingly an exotic holiday destination for people escaping the cold European winter months.

A seasonal climate dictates when people visit. November to April is cool and dry, especially along the coast. July to September is the rainy season and while the rain isn’t too bad, the humidity can be a challenge.

There are direct flights to The Gambia from London Gatwick, along with seasonal winter flights from Manchester and Birmingham in the UK. Frankfurt and other European cities also offer direct flights.

Country highlights

The country’s coastline is only 80 km long but wow it is magnificent!

Swaying palms cast their shadows across golden beaches. Little lagoons are sprinkled with small fishing villages and incredibly biodiverse coastal reserves.

There is surf on some of the beaches and the resorts are of an excellent standard, especially in comparison to people’s negative preconceptions of West Africa.

The greatest highlights are the people and wildlife you can meet. Gambian people are warm of heart and eager to converse. From fishermen to farmers, bracelet sellers to customs officials, the people will always make you smile.

While the country is home to ten different languages, English is the national language. So you can easily communicate with the friendly Gambian people.

Then there is wildlife. And what wildlife you can find when going off the beaten track!

Create Your Own Wildlife Safari in The Gambia

Due to its size and population density, the Gambia doesn’t have the ecosystem to support sweeping herds of wildebeest, or roaming packs of hyenas.

However, what The Gambia does have is an astonishing array of bird life , with some 560 species recorded in the country. From rainforest to woodland, estuary life to open pastures, the country has a haven of habitats for contrasting species.

Then there are monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and a handful of other wildlife secrets just waiting to be discovered.

And the best thing? How accessible it all is. You can create your own self-guided wildlife safari in The Gambia by traveling to these four superb destinations .

Location 1: Bakotu Hotel Gardens

Mentioning a hotel garden with regards to wildlife might seem an odd thing, but in many ways Bakotu is like a microcosm of The Gambia.

Sit awhile in the shaded spot at the back of the hotel grounds, or simply sit outside your room and the wildlife will come to you: buzzards, African vultures , whistling ducks in the sky overhead, bee eaters , gonoleks and red-cheeked cordon-bleus flitting through the trees.

Then there will be baboons and green monkeys foraging for food in the dense foliage. Plus huge monitor lizards padding noisily through the leaf litter shed by the huge fig trees.

Location 2: Brufut Woods

The woods at Brufut are something of a local secret and a great place to go off the beaten track in The Gambia.

They can be reached by first passing through the labyrinthine backstreets of Serrekunda , then crossing the scrub-land that characterises the Gambian hinterland.

Here you’ll find an active community project and some of The Gambia’s rarer bird species, from the white-faced scops owl to the unbelievable long-tailed nightjar .

Location 3: Gambia River tributaries

If you travel anywhere in The Gambia you’ll invariably come across either the main body of the River Gambia, or one of the many hundred of tributaries that fan across the country. A boat trip on these mangrove-lined waterways is a quintessential part of any trip to the country.

From one of the larger boats or hand-carved pirogues you’ll see all manner of sea birds, including ospreys , giant storks and pelicans . And if you’re lucky you may just see one of the saltwater crocodiles that populate the area.

Location 4: Upriver in The Gambia

The Gambia River is over 700 miles long and descends from the Fouta Djallon plateau in northern Guinea. Various settlements dot its banks, from the rudimentary to the more populous, including the old capital of Janjanbureh.

Hippos bathe in the upriver waters, grunting and guffawing through the day. Crocodiles can also be spotted and upriver is renowned for some excellent freshwater fishing .

One of the most interesting places is Chimp Island – a chimpanzee rehabilitation project set up by Stella Marsden in 1979. It is 300 km inland and can be quite a trek to reach, but the eye to eye encounters are wonderful.

The rehabilitation center has a great set up, with excellent accommodation and a genuinely caring environment for the animals , all of whom have been rescued from appalling circumstances.

As well as the resident chimpanzees , you can also see plenty of other wildlife including resident hippos and noisy red colobus monkeys .

Discover More of The Gambia

At Africa Freak we like to celebrate all of Africa. While many of our articles focus on the wildlife-rich areas of East and Southern Africa, we also love to venture off the standard trail into countries like The Gambia.

This Gambia website is an excellent resource to help you discover more about Africa’s smallest country. You can explore things to do , wildlife to see , cultures , traditions and more.

Have you been to Gambia? We’d love to get your thoughts as well.

About The Author

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What is the smallest country in Africa?

2 thoughts on “plan an unguided wildlife safari in the gambia”.

Thanks for your feedback, it is always nice to get some insights from people who’ve actually been there… 🙂

Have a great week and all the best…

What a beautiful little film, I have visited the Gambia twice and love this place the people and all it involves, hope to visit again soon, thank you for this reminder of what a wonderful place it is

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Conservation close up: visiting The Gambia's Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre

Oct 15, 2019 • 7 min read

A young chimpazee calls out from the forest within River Gambia National Park © Trevorplatt / Getty Images

In the heart of The Gambia , on a bend in the country’s eponymous river, lies the River Gambia National Park. This vast area of protected forest is home to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project , a conservation organisation – founded 40 years ago this year – which protects more than 100 chimps living wild on three islands. Follow Joseph Reaney as he visits the project and has unforgettable encounters with our species' closest relative.

Cruising the River Gambia

From chaos into calm. My journey from the capital Banjul has been long, hot and sweaty, from the cramped gelly-gelly minibuses to the overloaded donkey carts. But now, as the motorboat pushes off from the banks of the river in Kuntaur, a sense of tranquility washes over me. For the next 48 hours, I am leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the mainland and venturing into one of West Africa ’s wildest national parks.

The River Gambia National Park is a haven for wildlife, not only chimps but also hundreds of rare, beautiful bird species. As if to prove its credentials, the ornithological encounters start almost the moment I set foot in the boat, from elegant monochrome pied kingfishers to dazzling green bee-eaters, wading pink-backed pelicans to soaring long-crested eagles. With so much to distract me during the 45-minute journey, it hardly registers when a collection of wooden structures slowly emerges at the water’s edge. I’ve arrived at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP).

I get out at the jetty of the riverside ‘water house’, the common room where guests come to dine, drink and kick back, then climb the steep forested path up to my safari tent. There are four tents altogether, each built overhanging the cliff edge. The panoramic views are extraordinary, with untouched forest on both sides and the main island – home to two of the larger chimpanzee social groups – perfectly framed in front. As I stand here, it is incredible to think that this whole project is the legacy of just one chimp: Lucy.

The origins of the project

You may not have heard of Lucy, but she was a bit of a celebrity in the 1970s. Raised as if a human child by American psychotherapists, Lucy learnt to dress herself, serve tea and use sign language. She even had a pet cat. But as she reached adulthood and grew in strength, it was no longer safe to keep her among humans, so it was decided to re-wild her in The Gambia – under the care of psychology student Janis Carter.

Forty years on, Janis remains in The Gambia. As for the habitat reserved for Lucy, well, it’s what I’m looking at now. In 1979, Janis moved onto the main island with Lucy, along with a small group of eight other chimps. But, as she recalls, the early years weren’t easy. “Once I took Lucy, I knew I wouldn’t be able to move off the island at all, as I had to be with her constantly. The first year-and-a-half was a big transition. And probably even harder for Lucy than it was for me, as at least I could comprehend what we were doing.”

Despite the difficulties, they both persevered. Janis ultimately devoted six years of her life to living on the island with Lucy and the others. But following an unexpected attack from Dash, one of the younger male chimps, she realised the power dynamics of the group had changed. It was time to leave the island for good.

Scroll forward to 2019 and the project has dramatically evolved. For one, there is no longer any physical contact between humans and chimps. “What we do now is what most conservation organisations would do to protect a wild population of chimps,” explains Janis. “We’ve got an education component, a research component and a development component, with the latter helping villagers living near to the national park. And we have an eco-tourism component, which helps us generate revenue for running the project so it is self-sustainable.”

The chimp-viewing experience

It is this eco-tourism component that allows visitors to stay in the camp and take boat trips out to view the chimps. It’s the reason I am here. So, as I step off the jetty and onto the sturdy aluminium boat, I’m excited.

We head out in the wake of the 'feeding' boat. The chimps here are provided with supplementary food because, as Janis explains, the group has reproduced over the years. “We must protect the island habitats to ensure they can support all the chimps plus other primate and mammal species,” she says. “Feeding also allows us to monitor the chimps’ physical conditions, then use this information in our project management.”

As the chimps make their way down to the water’s edge to consume the fruits and vegetables, we cruise closer to the main island, stopping around 20m from the shore so we don't disturb them. Then we sit and watch. It’s a truly magical experience. And, it occurs to me, a very rare one; how often do you get to see, from such close quarters, wild animals behaving in ways that are natural and uninhibited?

After what seems like no time at all, we sail off along the island to find another chimp group. Then another, and another. Over the course of the next two hours, as we navigate between the three islands that make up the CRP, we see dozens of chimps in various combinations. Each one is fascinating in its own way. There are the bruiser alpha males, confidently chomping on their personal stash of bananas; the fretful mothers, who clasp their young as they scoop water into their mouths; and the hyperactive adolescents, who are simply too busy swinging between the branches to think about dinner. It’s not only chimps either. We are lucky enough to see hippos on sandbanks, baboons lazing on tree branches and colourful birds flying overheard.

When we return to the camp, I also hear stories of crocodile and manatee sightings during previous boat trips. So enamoured with what I have seen – and keen to see more – I sign up to do it all again the next day.

A host of wildlife encounters

Although the chimpanzees are the undoubted stars of the River Gambia National Park, there are also plenty of other wildlife adventures to enjoy. In addition to the boat tours around the island, the CRP also offers several different excursions on the mainland, from early morning nature hikes – where you can spot warthogs, marmosets, antelopes, aardvarks and vultures – to nocturnal bush baby walks. There is also a boat trip to Sama Boi Konko, the high cliff from which it’s said the country’s last elephant fell to its death. At 53m elevation, it is the highest point in The Gambia, and offers spectacular panoramas of the three river islands.

As well as heading out to see wildlife, I soon find that wildlife comes to see me. The forested trails of the CRP’s safari camp are regularly criss-crossed by playful green monkeys and slithering puff adders. And my relaxing afternoons on the veranda are often shared with an inquisitive redshank or a scuttling monitor lizard.

Looking to the future

The future of the CRP is not certain. Tourism in The Gambia has had its ups and downs, with everything from the Ebola crisis (in nearby Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia) to political strife affecting visitor numbers, and this makes efforts to be self-sustainable a challenge. But right now, the biggest concern is the collapse of Thomas Cook. “A lot of tourists came into this country through them,” explains Janis. She’s already had cancellations for October and November.

Yet despite the setbacks, Janis continues to look to the future, with ambitious plans to expand the territory of the CRP. “There is a large population of red colobus monkeys in the area in which our camp exists, and this species is actually more endangered than the chimpanzee,” she reveals. “The government has been privatising a lot of forest parks, so I have been working with the wildlife department to get this forest under our control.”

As for the camp, Janis is adamant that it won’t be enlarged. “This is a very fragile ecosystem, and one of The Gambia’s last remaining untouched riverine gallery forests, so I don’t want to expand beyond four tents. We can control the impact this has on the chimps and the ecosystem. In all the years I have been here, the view from the water house veranda has not changed, and a lot of effort goes towards trying to sustain that. The continuity is remarkable. Besides, I think the smaller setup provides a far better experience for our guests.”

As I sit on the veranda of the water house, looking across the river to the lush forested island – the same view Janis first experienced four decades ago – I could not agree more. 

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• About this activity

Fathala wildlife safari Park

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Selective hotel pickup
• Cross the river Gambia
• Cross the border into Senegal
• See Giraffe, Rhino, Antelope, Zebra, Buffalo

Activity location

• Banjul, Banjul, The Gambia

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Thu, Apr 25 -
• Fri, Apr 26 $227
• Sat, Apr 27 $227
• Sun, Apr 28 $227
• Mon, Apr 29 $227
• Tue, Apr 30 $227
• Wed, May 1 $227
• Thu, May 2 $227
• Fri, May 3 $227
• Sat, May 4 $227
• Sun, May 5 $227
• Mon, May 6 $227
• Tue, May 7 $227
• Wed, May 8 $227
• Thu, May 9 $227
• Activity duration is 6 hours 6h 6h

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Hotel drop off and pick up
• What's included What's included Transportation to ferry crossing
• What's included What's included Cost of the ferry
• What's included What's included Jeep Transportation to and in the wildlife park
• What's included What's included Entry to wildlife park
• What's included What's included Soft drinks included

What you can expect

The tour starts early to go to Banjul to catch the ferry across the River Gambia. Where you will get in a 4x4 to travel across the border into Senegal to the wildlife park. You will need your passport to cross the border. You travel from the border a short distance to the park where a guide will help find the animals that are free roaming around. He will also give information about the animals. The tour in the park can be as long or short as you choose. After the tour of the wildlife you travel back across the border into Gambia cross on the ferry to Banjul and back to your hotel.

Papa's Tours

Gambia safari tour.

Papa’s Gambia Safari Tour is an easy one day tour. We visit several small natures areas on the west coast.

The parks are all close to the main hotel areas, so there’s no long drives. 

The Gambia Safari Tour starts at the famous Kachically crocodile pond in Bakau, home of 80 crocodiles. The crocodiles roam freely, and can be approached and touched by visitors. Childless women often visit this pond to bathe in the water, which is believed to promote fertility.

One of the most famous crocodiles here is Charlie.  Injured crocodiles found in the wild are sometimes taken to the holy pools to recover, so the pond also acts as a sanctuary. 

Afterwards we drive to Bijilo Forest Park. This small game reserve offers a safe living environment for various monkeys and birds. 

See monkeys during the Gambia Safari Tour

Bijilo is also known as Monkey Park. It has lots of green vervet monkeys, a very playful monkey species. They are not afraid of people, so you can observe and photograph them up close.

With a bit of luck we’ll also see Red Colobus monkeys. They are more shy.

Like all nature parks in Gambia, Monkey Park has lots of birds. We can spot species like hornbills, pheasants, cuckoos, sunbirds, starlings and weavers.

Abuko Nature Reserve

To conclude the Gambia Safari Tour, we’ll have lunch in Lamin Lodge, a lodge on the south bank of the Gambia River.

The lodge offers a beautiful view over the mangrove swamp. If you want you can also make a boat trip from here.

How to book this tour

Contact Papa’s Tours for more information for a great Gambia Safari

Or send us an email at [email protected]

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5 wildlife experiences to enjoy in The Gambia

Updated on Jun 10, 2020 by Alastair McClymont

Blog > 5 wildlife experiences to enjoy in The Gambia

Get up, close and personal with the diverse and fascinating wildlife of The Gambia.

The wildlife of The Gambia forms one of the most memorable elements of any trip to the country, offering endless unforgettable encounter opportunities, whether in the grounds of your hotel or in the realms of a sprawling nature reserve.

One of the best ways to spot some of The Gambia's most famous species is to embark on one of our specialist wildlife tours and encounters , though others may prefer to go DIY and plan their own wildlife trips. Whichever way you choose to discover the country's beautiful and intriguing inhabitants, here are five Gambian wildlife experiences to keep in mind.

Birdwatching around Mandina Lodges

Hidden away in the beautiful African bush along a tributary of the River Gambia, Mandina Lodges is set within the heart of nature, and quite often you'll find that during a stay here, nature will in fact come to find you.

Besides the several baboons and other monkeys that roam freely around Mandina, the birdlife discovered out on the water is incredible. An early morning canoe ride is a great way of catching the area's birdlife at its most active, and you can expect to see an abundance of kingfishers, herons and weaver birds, amongst many other species.

Stay at the Chimp Rehabilitation Project

A stay at or visit to the Chimp Rehabilitation Project is arguably one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in the country.

The project was established in 1979 and is discovered around four and a half hours inland within the River Gambia National Park, with lodging found in the form of comfortable safari tents.

The chimps are viewed via the regular boat trips that run around the islands that the chimps reside on, while further wildlife experiences can be enjoyed in the form of majestic birdlife and several other monkey species who find their habitat here.

Encounter crocs at Kachikally Crocodile Pool

The Kachikally Crocodile Pool is one of The Gambia's most famous tourist attractions, which comes as no surprise when you learn that the pool is home to up to 100 crocodiles, many of which are regularly on show for photography opportunities.

You can expect to encounter a number of crocs basking on the bank in the sunshine, perhaps even the famous Charlie, who measures a whopping two metres long!

Spot hippos in the River Gambia

Our Hippo Tour to Janjanbureh presents another fantastic opportunity to spot and learn about some of The Gambia's most incredible inhabitants, and what better way than on a relaxing River Gambia cruise?

During this tour, which requires a fairly long but picturesque journey inland, visitors can also expect to spot crocodiles, baboons and an endless stream of colourful birds.

Wildlife of The Gambia and Senegal tour

Booked as a stand-alone package or extended by adding a few days at either end in a beachside hotel of your choice, our Wildlife of The Gambia and Senegal tour presents an African safari adventure.

The primary focus of the tour is Senegal's Fathala Wildlife Reserve which comprises 2,000 acres of bush, punctuated by a variety of African species including giraffe, rhino, zebra, antelope and buffalo.

Posted in Alastair McClymont , Wildlife | Tagged Excursions , Travel , Wildlife

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Senegal Safari (Fathala Park)

This trip starts from your hotel with a drive to the ferry in Banjul in morning.

We cross from Banjul to Barra, in the north of the Gambia, by boat. From Barra we drive to the border for passport checking and then drive to the safari park. In the park you can spend two hours on the tour and you may see buffalo’s, giraffes, rhinos, giant eland antelopes, zebra’s etc. After the safari we drive back to Barra for lunch and return to the boat back to Banjul. In Banjul our transports will be waiting to take us back to the hotel.

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