Makasutu Culture Forest, Nature reserve in Bafuloto, Gambia.

Makasutu Culture Forest covers about 1,000 hectares along the Mandina Bolong, a tributary of the Gambia River, in Bafuloto. Its zones range from palm groves and mangrove swamps to wetlands and open savannah, and the reserve is crossed by sandy tracks and canoe channels. The name Makasutu comes from Mandinka words for the forest.

The name comes from the Mandinka language and means "holy forest," reflecting the area's spiritual importance dating back to the 12th century. The region continues to carry this long-standing connection between the land and the beliefs of its people.

The forest takes its name from the Mandinka words for "holy forest", and the Baobab Cultural Centre is the base for craft demonstrations by local artisans. Mandinka communities gather there for music and storytelling sessions, so the reserve is also a working venue for the traditions of the villages around Bafuloto.

The forest welcomes visitors from November through April, with guided tours, canoe trips through the mangroves, and eco-lodges available for overnight stays. Guided tours are the best way to explore the different areas and learn about the wildlife you'll encounter.

Makasutu was created in 1994 by Lawrence Williams and James English, who turned a former palm-wine tapping area into a reserve. The name Makasutu comes from the Mandinka words for the sacred forest of the Mandina Bolong, the tributary that borders the site.