River Gambia National Park, National park with five islands in Central River Division, The Gambia
River Gambia National Park spreads across five islands and displays a mix of river-side forests, marshes, and open land. The landscape shifts between thick tree growth along the water and more open areas that support different animal populations.
The protected area was established in 1978 to safeguard the river and its islands from overuse. A year later, a program began to bring back chimpanzees that had disappeared from the region roughly a century before.
The river and its islands have long provided food and resources for local people, and this connection remains visible in how residents interact with the waterway today. The way people use the space reflects both respect for conservation and their historical ties to this landscape.
The best way to explore the area is by boat from the riverbank, since visitors cannot land on the islands themselves. Before coming, it helps to check what boat options are available and what gear you should bring for sun and water conditions.
The islands are home to one of the largest chimpanzee groups in West Africa, reintroduced after the animals vanished from the area. Watching these primates is a rare experience because such wild populations are now uncommon across the region.
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