Bijilo Forest Park Gambia

Bijilo Forest Park charges GMD 300 per adult entry (approximately £3) and offers a 4.5-kilometre walking trail through coastal woodland that can be completed in 90 minutes to two hours. The park is one of the few places in The Gambia where western red colobus monkeys and green vervet monkeys are reliably seen at close range, making it a practical half-day activity from the nearby Kololi resort strip. Bijilo Forest Park is a 50-hectare protected coastal woodland in Kololi, managed by the Gambia Department of Parks and Wildlife Management.

The park sits immediately behind the beach in Kololi, less than a five-minute walk from most of the main resort hotels on the Atlantic strip. This proximity makes it the most accessible wildlife area in The Gambia and a common first stop for visitors who arrive on the Atlantic coast. Entry fees support the park’s maintenance and wildlife monitoring.

Entry Fees, Opening Hours and Visitor Information for Bijilo Forest Park

Entry to Bijilo Forest Park costs GMD 300 per adult (approximately £3 or $4). Children under 12 pay a reduced rate of GMD 150. Payment is made at the gate in Gambian dalasi; no card payment is available. The park is open daily from approximately 08:00 to 18:00 throughout the year, though opening times may vary slightly between the dry and wet seasons.

A guide can be hired at the entrance gate for an additional GMD 200 to 300, which is worthwhile for birdwatchers as guides are able to identify the 130-plus bird species recorded in the park and locate the colobus troops within the tree canopy. The park is managed on a no-vehicle basis; all visits are on foot using the marked trail network. Facilities at the entrance include a small information board and basic toilet facilities.

Photography is permitted throughout the park, including close-range shots of the monkeys, which are habituated to visitors. Feeding the monkeys is discouraged by staff as it alters natural foraging behaviour, though some beach vendors near the park sell fruit and the monkeys have learned to approach visitors regardless.

Western Red Colobus Monkeys at Bijilo Forest Park

Western red colobus monkeys are the flagship species at Bijilo Forest Park and one of the main reasons visitors choose to visit. The Gambia holds one of the largest remaining populations of western red colobus in West Africa, and the Bijilo troop is among the most accessible of these populations. Colobus monkeys are arboreal, spending most of their time in the upper canopy, and the tall coastal woodland at Bijilo provides suitable habitat along the main trail.

The colobus at Bijilo are accustomed to people and descend to lower branches or enter cleared sections when foraging. The best chance of seeing them at close range is in the morning when the troops are active and feeding. By midday, colobus monkeys typically rest higher in the canopy and become harder to locate without a guide’s help.

Green vervet monkeys are also present throughout the park in higher numbers than the colobus and are more ground-level in behaviour. Vervets are frequently encountered along the path edges and near the park entrance. Both species are wild animals despite their familiarity with people, and maintaining a respectful distance ensures natural behaviour is preserved.

Birdwatching at Bijilo Forest Park

Bijilo Forest Park records over 130 bird species within its 50 hectares, making it one of the most productive birdwatching sites on the Atlantic coast. The coastal woodland and forest edge habitat attracts a mix of resident species and seasonal migrants. Common species visible from the main trail include the yellow-crowned gonolek, long-tailed glossy starling, western reef heron, and multiple sunbird and weaver species.

The oriole warbler (also known as the moho) is found at Bijilo and regarded as a target species for visiting birders. Kingfishers are regularly seen along the wetter sections of the trail during the wet season and in the early dry season months. The park’s proximity to the beach means coastal species, including terns and waders, are occasionally seen from the forest edge.

Hiring a guide for birdwatching significantly increases the species count achievable in a single visit. Guides at Bijilo are knowledgeable about the park’s resident species and can identify calls as well as visual sightings. Early morning sessions from 07:30 to 10:00 yield the highest bird activity before temperatures rise.

The Trail Network at Bijilo Forest Park

The trail network at Bijilo Forest Park covers approximately 4.5 kilometres and includes three signed routes of different lengths: a short loop of around 1 kilometre, a medium route of approximately 2.5 kilometres, and the full outer trail covering the complete 4.5-kilometre perimeter. The trails are clearly marked and maintained by park staff, making independent navigation straightforward without a guide.

The path surfaces vary between firm sand, compacted laterite, and some sections of soft forest floor. Closed-toe shoes are advisable over sandals as the trail passes through low scrub in places. A hat and water are both necessary, as the canopy provides shade along most of the route but open sections expose walkers to direct sun, particularly from 10:00 onward.

The full outer trail takes between 90 minutes and two hours at a relaxed walking pace. There are no facilities along the trails themselves. All water and snacks must be brought from the entrance or purchased from vendors outside the park gates. Mobile phones get good signal throughout, so the park is safely navigable even without a guide for those who prefer an independent visit.

Cost Breakdown for Bijilo Forest Park

Bijilo Forest Park is among the most affordable wildlife experiences in The Gambia. The full adult entry plus a guide costs under GMD 600 (approximately £6 to £7), making it an accessible half-morning activity even on a limited budget. Guides typically expect a small tip of GMD 50 to 100 at the end of a session if they performed well.

Best Time to Visit Bijilo Forest Park

Getting to Bijilo Forest Park from Kololi

Bijilo Forest Park is located in the Kololi area of the Senegambia strip, immediately behind the beach. From the main resort hotels on the coastal strip, the park entrance is a short taxi ride or a 10 to 20-minute walk. The entrance is signposted from the main road running through Kololi near the Senegambia Beach Hotel.

From Banjul International Airport (BJL), the park is approximately 25 kilometres by road, with a taxi taking around 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. For visitors arriving by air and heading directly to an activity, Bijilo Forest Park requires no prior booking and can be visited without arrangement on arrival. Taxis to the park from the Senegambia strip cost approximately GMD 100 to 200 for a return trip and are available from hotel forecourts throughout the day.