Three forests near the coast
Abuko is a reserve of gallery forest and wetland beside the Lamin Stream. Bijilo Forest Park, often called the Monkey Park, is a small forest next to the Kololi resort area. Makasutu is a forest and mangrove area visited on organised day trips.
The prices below are published figures from visitor guides and operators and may differ at the gate. Ask before you pay, and bring cash.
Abuko, Bijilo and Makasutu compared
What each visit involves.
| Abuko | Bijilo Forest Park | Makasutu | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Gallery forest, wetland, water holes | Forest paths near Kololi | Forest, mangrove, canoe trips |
| Best for | Birds and quiet walks | Monkeys and an easy walk | A full day with a guide |
| Access | Brikama Highway, parking before the entrance | Entrance behind the conference centre, walkable from many hotels | Hotel transfer on a tour |
| Published price | GMD 35 (2025 price) | GMD 300 (early 2025) | €65 per person, or from €95 on the same page |
| Hours | 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. | – | – |
Check prices and opening hours again before you go. Published fees can change, and guide fees or other charges may apply on the day.
Our picks: birdwatching with a guide
A guide who knows the birds is the quickest way into the forest and wetland habitats described here.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Nature and wildlife tours in The Gambia
Guided walks, river wildlife and forest day trips, with live prices and availability.
Abuko Nature Reserve
Gallery forest on the Lamin Stream.
What you see
Gallery forest and wetland habitats, with water holes that draw birds. A birding guide lists Abuko as suitable all year, and it is a good first stop if you have only a morning.
Getting there
The entrance is on the Brikama Highway, south of the village of Abuko. A visitor guide mentions parking in front of the gate.
Fee and hours
The same guide, published in January 2026, gives GMD 35 as a 2025 price and opening hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It does not say which age or nationality group that price applies to, so treat it as a guide rather than a confirmed 2026 adult fee.
Guided visit
One operator lists a three-hour birding walk at €15 per person or €30 per couple, with pickup, guide and water. It is a guided product, not the cost of entry alone.
Bijilo Forest Park
Bijilo lies just south of the Kololi resort area. The entrance is behind the conference centre, and many hotels are within walking distance. One visitor describes a self-guided walk without a guide, and the same writer paid GMD 300 in early 2025. That is a dated observation, not a confirmed price for 2026.
The monkeys are the attraction. Food for the monkeys is sold, but the writer advises against feeding them, because it makes them used to people, pushy for food and more likely to bite. Treat that as sensible behaviour: keep your distance.
For the resort area around the forest, see the Senegambia Strip page.
Makasutu
Makasutu is usually visited as a day trip. One operator describes a forest walk, a trip in a pirogue (a dugout canoe), hotel transfer, a guide, lunch and refreshments over 6 to 8 hours.
The same page lists €65 per person in the price block and "from €95" in its questions, so ask which price applies. It also lists children under 5 free, half price for ages 6 to 10 and full price above 10, 10 percent off for groups of 6 or more, and free cancellation up to 48 hours before. Ask the operator how an exact age of 5 is treated.
Some visitors stay in the forest instead of on the coast. Mandina Lodges is sold with a minimum age of 15 years, which is a condition of that booking, not a rule for day visitors.
Birdwatching in The Gambia
Guides usually start at sunrise. One operator recommends November to April, because European migrants are present and conditions are dry. Abuko is described as suitable for birding all year, so the two statements do not conflict.
Sites in operator programmes include Kotu Creek, Abuko, Brufut Woods, Lamin Creek, Marakissa and Tendaba. Half-day and full-day guiding can be arranged before your trip or on the spot, subject to availability, and the named guide may be replaced. A two-night Tendaba trip is listed from £325 per person. No species can be promised.
Malaria occurs throughout the country, and the US CDC recommends prescription prophylaxis. Talk to a travel-medicine doctor before you go.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other places to combine with a forest visit.
Gambia nature reserves: frequently asked questions
How much does Abuko cost?
A visitor guide gives GMD 35 as a 2025 price, with opening hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It does not state who that price covers, so confirm the fee at the gate.
Can I feed the monkeys in Bijilo?
Food is sold, but feeding is not recommended. It makes monkeys pushy and raises the risk of bites. Keep your distance.
Do I need a guide in Bijilo Forest Park?
One report describes a self-guided walk. No rule is confirmed either way, so ask at the entrance.
When is the best time for birds?
One operator recommends November to April, when migrants are present and it is dry. Abuko is described as good all year.
Is Makasutu worth a full day?
It suits visitors who want a guided forest and canoe day with lunch included. Listed durations run from 6 to 8 hours, including the transfer.