River Gambia National Park Hippos Chimpanzees

It's worth it if you're lucky enough to spot chimpanzees - hippos and crocodiles - on the shore.

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TLDR: Great two days, very hot, Didn't see hippos but great chimp sightings. Good food. Amazing swim in River Gambia by hotel. Senna was a great guild. I was picked up by my guide, Senna in the mourning and we drove inland in the car. Senna was very accommodating so I could ask him to make stops on the way for pictures and buy from stalls. There were pretty mosques and markets and views of the country. We had a wee picnic by the roadside then crossed the trans Gambia bridge. The stone circles were really cool. Unfortunately we didn't see any hippos on the boat trip (I got the impression that they are seen far more often than not) but I understand these are wild animals and can't be garunteed. The boat trip didn't take us to the Chimp rehabilitation centre itself but along the south side of the largest 'Baboon island'. We saw several chimpanzees, including a young one playing and then being held by its mother and a large male on a submerged branch waste deep in the river. They were incredible sightings, so human like. We proceeded to Janjanbureh, taking a short ferry onto the island, a great way to arrive. You have some free time in the evening so you can explore the town. The accommodation was on the riverbank so I chose to swim instead, with some local kids. It's much hotter inland so I spent about 90 minutes in the tepid water, floating, swimming and jumping off the dock. Don't let the muddy colour put you off. It was very special and a highlight of my whole trip. (There is a current that gets stronger further from the bank so use your judgement). There was no AC in the room (or in the car) but there is a fan and cold drinks from the bar. The chicken and rice with onion/herb mix was delicious and the breakfast spread was good too. After a stop at the freedom tree, we drove West, I slept for most of the journey so we didn't make many stops (besides the police/army checkpoints which we were typically waved through). All of the meals/drinks and tickets/tips were included and sorted by Senna from the price of the tour, however Senna was a volunteer and great guild so be prepared to tip him for his service. He was kind enough to invite me to his house in West Gambia for an amazing meal and to meet his family. He dropped me off at my guesthouse and I had great two days. (When I had finished in Gambia he also picked me up and drove me to Seleti bus station. This wasn't included in the tour but very much appreciated)

The trip involves a lot of travel, which can be tiring but also allows a good look at the 'out of the tourist' areas of The Gambia. A huge surprise was the amount of plastic rubbish littering all areas that we passed through. Arriving at the accommodation during the evening was a disadvantage and the 'local dance' was a bit of a joke. I would recommend you take lamps / torches, plenty of water, toilet rolls and hand sanitizer (no electricity or water).

Boat trip, two monkeys seen, paid extra park guide for 'entrance (150 dalasi), no hippopotamus, no alligators, nothing. Only the words of the boatmen who always offer you the best time according to your needs: therefore, any time is great. Low tide, high, morning or afternoon.

Through the organization gambianexcursions led by the local guide Suwaibou we visited this park. The advantage of a local guide is that he can tell you much more. This was a restful expedition. Searching by boat behind the hippos and the chimpanzees, but also the local birds can be spotted here everywhere. It was a very long drive from our Hotel on the coast but combined with other visits in this part of the country well worth it.

I had a very enjoyable day travelling through the countryside to Kuntaur where I got on a motor boat and went on the River Gambia where a guide have a talk about the Chimpanzees and the rehabilitation centre. We saw 2 hippos and many different birds. It was a very relaxing peaceful trip. Very enjoyable experience