River Gambia National Park
Central Island
River Gambia National Park, established in 1978, is located on the left bank of the Gambia River within the Central River Division of The Gambia. It comprises the Baboon Islands archipelago, consisting of one large and four smaller islands, covering approximately 585 hectares. The park is renowned for its tropical riparian rainforest vegetation and serves as a critical habitat for various species, notably the common chimpanzee, which was reintroduced here after becoming extinct in the region in the early 20th century. The chimpanzee reintroduction project, initiated in 1979 by the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project under Stella Marsden's leadership, has successfully established several chimpanzee groups living free from human interference. The park also shelters other primates such as Guinea baboons, green monkeys, and western red colobus, along with mammals like warthogs, hippopotamuses, aardvarks, and the West African manatee. Reptiles including Nile crocodiles and a rich avian population further add to the park's biodiversity. Due to the aggressive nature of chimpanzees and conservation efforts, public access to the islands is restricted and requires governmental approval.
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Tip: Visitors should note that River Gambia National Park is not open to the public to protect the wildlife, especially the chimpanzees. Travel by boat around the islands is limited, and any visitation requires official permission. The best time to appreciate the park's surroundings is during the dry season when wildlife activity is more observable from a distance. Advance arrangements and permissions are essential for any authorized visits.
Interesting facts
- •The park includes the Baboon Islands archipelago, consisting of one large and four smaller islands totaling 585 hectares.
- •Chimpanzees were extinct in The Gambia by the early 20th century and have been successfully reintroduced here since 1979.
- •Stella Marsden, who directed the chimpanzee rehabilitation project, was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her conservation work.
- •The park is home to rare species such as the West African manatee and hippopotamuses, which are scarce in The Gambia.
- •Entry to the islands is generally prohibited to protect both humans and the aggressive chimpanzees, with exceptions only by government approval.
History
River Gambia National Park was established in 1978 in the Central River Division of The Gambia.
Since 1979, it has been the site of a pioneering chimpanzee reintroduction program led by Stella Marsden, aiming to restore chimpanzee populations wiped out in the early 20th century.
The park's islands have served as a sanctuary for confiscated chimpanzees from illegal trade, transitioning them from captivity to wild living.
Over the decades, the park has expanded its role in conserving various species and protecting the unique riparian rainforest ecosystem of the Baboon Islands.
