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Gambia River National Park: Chimps, Hippos & River Life

The River Gambia National Park protects island habitats in the Gambia River — its chimpanzee rehabilitation programme, hippo pods, and river wildlife make it the country's most rewarding nature destination

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1
Babian Island Chimpanzee Reserve
The five baboon islands in the river are home to rehabilitated chimpanzees from all over West Africa – boat trips around the islands allow close observation of wild chimpanzee groups
2
Hippo Pod River Viewing
Large pods of hippos occupy the deeper river channels in and around the national park — morning boat trips encounter them yawning, submerged and fighting up close
3
Western Red Colobus Forest
The forest along the river banks is home to the western red colobus - an endangered primate with a distinctive rust colored back; troops of 50 or more move through the canopy
4
Manatee Spotting at Dawn
West African manatees live in the freshwater of the Gambia River – patient dawn vigils on the water sometimes reveal these air-breathing aquatic mammals coming up to breathe
5
Night Sounds River Camping
Camping on the river bank of the national park — hippos calling through the night, ospreys at dawn and the reflected stars in the still black waters of the Gambia River
6
Traditional fishing community
The riparian communities inside the park maintain traditional fishing practices — a visit with a guide reveals how riverine communities and wildlife have coexisted for generations