Kachikally at a glance
Kachikally is a crocodile pool in Bakau, on the coast. Its operator describes it as a sacred place and part of the culture and history of Bakau, and names the protection of crocodiles and sharing of that culture as its tasks. Treat it first as a place of local tradition, and only second as an attraction.
There is also a museum. The National Centre for Arts and Culture lists the Katchikally Museum in Bakau as a private, community museum, and says it took part in setting it up. That listing is from 2019, so ask on the day what is open. This is an independent guide, not run by Kachikally, the museum or any authority.
What visitors paid
Single visitor reports, not a published tariff. Use them as a rough guide only.
| Visit | Reported price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| February 2025 | GMD 100 per person | – |
| November 2025 | GMD 200 per person | Visit to the museum and the pool |
| January 2026 | GMD 200 per person | – |
| April 2026 | GMD 2,500 for two people | What it covered may differ from the others |
The amounts differ, and what each covered may differ too, so these figures show a range, not a rise in the fee. Ask at the entrance for the current price and what it includes. Bring cash, because many places in The Gambia do not take cards.
Our picks: tours with a crocodile park
Two day tours from Banjul that include a crocodile park, so check the itinerary for which one.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Banjul day tour with Monkey Park and boat trip
Pick-up, return, entry to the Monkey Park and the Crocodile Park and a boat trip are included. Food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Banjul city tour with wildlife parks
Pick-up, return and entry to the wildlife parks are included. Monkey food, meals and drinks are not.
Check availability →Tours and day trips from the coast
City tours, river trips, birdwatching and wildlife excursions, with live prices and availability.
Around the pool
Staff look after the crocodiles, including feeding them, and they also watch over the safety of visitors. Do not take it for granted that touching a crocodile is allowed or safe. The operator does not give a full visitor code on its main page. So ask a staff member what is allowed, follow what they say and keep your distance until they tell you otherwise.
Keep children close and make sure nobody leans over the edge. Ask before you take photographs of people.
A sacred place
For many local people the pool is a sacred site. Behave as you would at a place of worship: speak quietly and follow the guidance of the people who work there. Some stories link the pool with fertility or healing. That is a local tradition, and nothing shows a medical effect, so please do not treat it as a health treatment.
Planning a visit
Kachikally is in Bakau, the same area as Cape Point and its beach. You can combine the pool with a beach day at Cape Point or a day tour from the coast. Some listed day tours include a crocodile park, so check the itinerary to see which one. Take water and a hat.
Opening hours and rest days can change, so check the current position with your hotel before you go. Agree the taxi fare before you get in. In the dry season, from November to May, the roads are easiest. From June to October floods can close roads for a time.
Before you go
Four things to settle first.
Cash
The Gambia runs mostly on cash. Bring dalasi for the entrance, because the price is not fixed and a card may not work.
Ask first
Ask staff before you touch, feed or photograph anything. Stay back from the water's edge unless staff say it is fine.
Check the hours
Opening hours and rest days can change. Check with your hotel or your tour operator on the day.
Show respect
The pool is a sacred place, so keep your voice down and follow the guidance you are given.
More near the coast
Pages that fit around a visit to Kachikally.
Beaches
Kotu, Kololi, Cape Point and the others, with a note on currents.
Abuko and Bijilo
Forest walks, birds and monkeys, with the rule not to feed them.
Banjul
Albert Market, Arch 22 and the National Museum.
Where to stay
Kololi, Kotu, Cape Point or Bijilo: which area suits which trip.
Kachikally: frequently asked questions
Can I touch the crocodiles?
Do not assume you can. Staff handle feeding and visitor safety, and the operator does not publish a full visitor code on its main page. Ask staff what is allowed and follow their instructions.
How much does it cost to enter?
Visitors reported GMD 200 per person in November 2025 and January 2026, GMD 100 per person in February 2025 and GMD 2,500 for two people in April 2026. There is no published tariff, so ask at the entrance for the current price.
Is Kachikally just a tourist attraction?
No. The operator describes it as a sacred place and part of the culture and history of Bakau. Behave respectfully and follow the guidance of staff.
Is there a museum?
Yes. A 2019 listing by the National Centre for Arts and Culture names the Katchikally Museum in Bakau as a private, community museum. Ask on the day what is open.
Does the pool cure anything?
Some stories link it with fertility or healing, but that is a local tradition and no medical effect is shown. Do not rely on it for health.