River Gambia National Park

River Gambia National Park is a protected area in The Gambia located along stretches of the Gambia River in the Central River Division. It conserves riverine forest and island habitats and is known for primate conservation work.

Visitors go for wildlife viewing along the river and to see conservation projects on the park’s islands, especially programmes for rescued chimpanzees. Boat-based safaris and guided walks are the usual ways to view birds, monkeys and river wildlife.

The protected area was established to conserve riverine habitats and species associated with the middle reaches of the Gambia River; it has hosted conservation and rehabilitation activities for primates. Management has emphasized protecting island forests and providing sites for rescue and long-term care of orphaned animals.

The park occupies riverine and island units on the Gambia River within the Central River Division of The Gambia, upriver from the coastal capital region; primary access is by road to river embarkation points and then by boat into the park.

• Chimpanzee conservation: Hosts a long-running chimpanzee rehabilitation and conservation programme that operates on the park's islands and focuses on rescued and orphaned West African chimpanzees.
• Habitat and access: Habitat type is primarily riverine forests and seasonally flooded floodplain, important for birds, primates and aquatic species; access is by boat from river towns.

What to See #

• Islands and riverine zones: Group of river islands (including those used for chimpanzee rehabilitation) are the primary protected zones within the park, featuring gallery forest and riverine habitats for primates, birds and other wildlife.