Makasutu Culture Forest, Nature reserve in Bafuloto, Gambia.
Makasutu Culture Forest is a protected reserve of around 1000 hectares that includes palm groves, mangrove swamps, wetlands, and savannah areas along the Mandina Bolong tributary. The different landscape zones create distinct environments you can explore as you move through the reserve.
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.
Local artisans work here to share their traditional skills with visitors, while Mandinka communities gather to perform music and tell stories around the Baobab Cultural Centre. These activities give you a direct sense of how the forest remains connected to the daily cultural life of the surrounding communities.
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.
Monitor lizards, baboons, and numerous bird species live here, supported by reforestation work that has planted around 15,000 trees in the area. This replanting effort has helped animals reclaim natural habitats in the forest.
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