Abuko Nature Reserve Guided Walk

Abuko was gazetted in 1968, making it The Gambia's oldest protected area. A guided walk of two to three hours follows clearly marked trails past a crocodile pool and a hide over a waterhole, putting you within touching distance of red colobus, green vervets and — if you're early enough — the reserve's shy forest antelopes. It's one of the most rewarding wildlife half-days in the country, with more than 270 bird species recorded alongside the primates and reptiles. The walking is easy and suits everyone from families to first-time birders, in groups of up to ten. Your fee covers an English-speaking guide and park entry. Go early in the day, before the heat builds and the animals retreat into the shade — the first couple of hours after opening are by far the most productive.