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Introduction:
Bijilo Forest Park ,
in Gambia, is a
small rainforest nature reserve which is
located on a cliff edge on the beach right next to the
Kololi, Senegambia strip about 11 kilometres
from Banjul in the Western division of Kombo North (Latitude
13.42861 Longitude -16.73139). It is an ideal place for
eco-tourists & birdwatchers staying in the nearby
Kairaba &
Senegambia
hotels as it is just 10 minutes walk away.
The nature park is an old forest which
covers an area of 126 acres and was open to tourists and the public in
1991. Today the park received around 23,000 visitors a year. Prior to
this there was heavy de-forestation for valuable rhun palms and its
resident green monkeys were persecuted by youngsters and stray
canines.
A foot path with seating areas places occasionally
along its length, meanders its way through varied woodland forest,
shrub and tree savannah as well as sand dunes.
Wildlife:
Bijilo Forest is host to
over 133 species of birds such as the Red-necked Falcon, Grey
Hornbill, Prinia and various types of Bee-eaters.
There are
also 4 primate species that inhabit the park which are the patas
monkey, green vervet monkeys, red colobus and the galagos or
bushbabies. There are signs asking visitors not to feed the monkeys as
this will interfere with their natural behaviour and reduce their fear
of humans and puts them in danger of being harmed or stolen.
Flora:
Among the flora are lilies, wild orchids, salt-tolerant vines,
magnificent silk cotton trees, palms and the odd looking baobab trees
(sometimes called the upside down tree).
Travel Directions:
To get to Bijilo
Forest either walk directly from the Senegambia beach area
or use the road from the strip and walk straight down southwards where
you will see guides at the front entrance.
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Attractions / Excursions
Nature Reserves
Resorts
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