The pools
Colourful birds.
Theinfamousfinatic — CC BY-SA 3.0 · gisela gerson lohman-braun — CC BY-SA 2.0 · tjabeljan — CC BY 2.0 · Ikiwaner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ikiwaner — CC BY-SA 3.0
Abuko Nature Reserve is a protected forest south of the town of Abuko in western Gambia, and the country's first wildlife reserve. It combines savanna with gallery forest along the Lamin Stream. It is close to the coastal towns, so it is easy to visit in half a day to see monkeys and birds. Protection began in 1916, when the Lamin Stream was fenced as a water collection point, and wildlife and plants in the forest increased. In 1967 wildlife officer Eddie Brewer and his daughter Stella Marsden visited and asked the government to protect it. In 1968 the wildlife department was set up at the reserve itself. You walk paths between tall oil palms, mahogany and iroko trees, past pools covered in plants where colourful birds wade. Three monkey species live here, vervet, red colobus and patas, along with antelope, squirrels and mongooses. There are wooden hides for birdwatching. It is about 7 km from Serrekunda in a straight line and about 10 km from Banjul. Do not feed the monkeys, and keep your food packed away. Early morning is the best time to go.
Colourful birds.
Three species.
Palms and mahogany.
South of Abuko town, The Gambia
Early morning, when animals are most active.
About two hours for the main trails.