Bijilo Forest Park, Nature reserve in West Coast Division, Gambia
Bijilo Forest Park is a 51-hectare protected woodland on the Atlantic coast with three marked trails winding through gallery forest, low bush, and grassland sections. The paths range from 900 to 1400 meters in length and pass through habitats where animals move freely year-round.
The site gained protected status in 1952 and opened to visitors in 1991. This timing allowed it to develop into an important destination for observing forest life while conservation measures remained strong.
The park serves as a learning space where visitors directly experience the importance of forest protection through the work happening on the ground. Local conservation efforts demonstrate how communities contribute to safeguarding this woodland for future generations.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as paths wind through damp forest sections that can be slippery, especially during the rainy season. Guides are available to help spot animals and explain the forest ecosystem as you walk.
The park shelters more than 130 bird species and several monkey populations including green vervet, red colobus, and patas monkeys thriving in their natural setting. This mix of species sharing the same forest makes it unusual among protected areas in the region.
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