Bijilo Forest Park

Bijilo Forest Park is a small protected coastal forest reserve on the Atlantic coast of The Gambia, at coordinates 13.43278, -16.72639. It is a popular local nature area noted for its monkeys and birdlife.

Trails wind through a remnant patch of coastal woodland and scrub where visitors commonly see West African green monkeys and a variety of shore and woodland birds. The park is compact and typically explored on foot over 1 to a few hours using marked paths.

The area has been managed as a protected forest reserve to preserve coastal vegetation and wildlife; it functions as a managed visitor site adjacent to Gambian resort areas rather than as a large national park.

The park sits on the Atlantic shoreline near the Kololi resort area in the West Coast region, about 15 to 20 km west of the capital, Banjul, and within easy reach of coastal tourist accommodations.

• Wildlife highlights: Green monkeys and a variety of coastal bird species are commonly seen along the park trails, especially in the cooler parts of the day.
• Convenient for resort visitors: Located adjacent to the Kololi/Senegambia resort strip, the park is typically visited as a short half-day excursion from nearby hotels and lodges.

What to See #

• Forest trails: Network of forest trails and footpaths offering short loops through coastal woodland and scrub, used for birdwatching and observing monkeys.
• Coastal fringe: Coastal edge where the park meets the Atlantic, providing views over the beach and access points close to nearby resort areas.