Bijilo Forest Park, Banjul: Address, Bijilo Forest Park Reviews: 4/5
Bijilo Forest Park
Bijilo Forest Park
4
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This park contains a wide variety of birds.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
140 within 3 miles

Sea Shells Bar & Restaurant
411
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • European

El Sol Steakhouse & Mexican Gambia
404
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly

GTS Bar & Restaurant
462
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Bar • European

Scala Restaurant
1,306
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Musa's Bendulla
203
0.5 mi$ • African • Bar • European

Swiss Tavern Beach Bar and Restaurant
45
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • International • European

Gusto Italian Resto & Bar
133
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • International

Darboe's Restaurant
915
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • African • European • Vegetarian Friendly

kaj's Cave
16
0.3 mi$

Paradiso Bar & Restaurant
771
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • African • Pizza
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
440 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
180
Average
67
Poor
18
Terrible
14
Graeme W
London, UK161 contributions
Couples
My worry was that this would feel like visiting a zoo, however I soon realised these were wild monkeys who have been habitualised as opposed to tame monkeys . Having paid 150 at the gate you simplify take some peanuts, bananas or oranges and the monkeys will find you. The Green Vervets will sit on your head given the chance and are very gentle which means lots of photo opportunities. The reserve is being walled in to stop any encroachment which means that a wide range of other wildlife is also protected. A good value couple of hours.
Written January 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lemonjess
Chesterfield, UK5 contributions
We were staying in Kololi/Senegambia and this is really close so we just walked there (along the road then back along the beach), rather than going on an excursion. The entrance was affordable (I think 100D each) and you can then buy peanuts and bananas (100D each) to feed the monkeys. They will tell you one type of monkey will only eat bananas and the other type will only each peanuts so that you buy both, but we bought only peanuts and both monkeys loved them. We took up the offer of a guide for 300D and he was really good at finding the monkeys. Then we paid him and spent some more time walking around the park/reserve. It's not huge so we probably spent 1.5 hours there altogether. The monkeys seemed healthy and definitely well fed!
Written January 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nothangingabout
Dublin, Ireland108 contributions
When we paid for our tickets in the office we were offered plastic bags with peanuts to feed the monkeys for 200 (about 4 euro) we said no thanks. As we walked through the park we saw these same plastic bags and a lot of other plastic littering the ground and even in the bushes. It is very sad that they do not protect this beautiful environment and actually add to the problem themselves.As I left, I suggested using paper bags which would at least degrade quickly into the earth.
Also, it seems that development of a conference centre on the park has reduced its size and destroyed the water supply for the creatures. Gambia is beautiful, but we left this park just wishing that more was done to preserve it for the future.
Also, it seems that development of a conference centre on the park has reduced its size and destroyed the water supply for the creatures. Gambia is beautiful, but we left this park just wishing that more was done to preserve it for the future.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nieske Halim
The Netherlands112 contributions
Lots of green velvet and colobus monkeys. Nice piece of nature. We went in with a guide which is offered at the entrance. But you can easily save the money and insist on going in alone. They will try to convince you to pay for a guide so he can find the monkeys for you. But they are impossible to miss
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Badskittler
1 contribution
Friends
Great trip but buy peanuts/bananas before you get there and you do not have to have a guide. We fell for the fake manager trick (read other reviews) he asked for D1300 for 2 of us; gave him D100 and walked quickly away. Don't be put off as the monkeys are lovely.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scott G
Washington DC, DC266 contributions
When in the Gambia, this is a great opportunity to see some wildlife (though the monkeys are habituated to human visitors). Grown ups and kids alike will be delighted to see the animals at close range, feed them peanuts and take their pictures. I went around lunch time and got great photographs of plenty of monkeys. There may be more monkeys earlier in the day, and they may be hungier and more eager for hand outs of good, however, there may be more people, too.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leanne O
Birmingham, UK208 contributions
Family
You really have seen them all. Walking in the forest for 30 - an hr is quite enough Plenty of shady parts The monkeys are lovely, luv the peanuts. Cost is very reasonable & great knowledge shared
Written January 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
leciel83
Toronto, Canada257 contributions
Solo
This is a forest right beside the ocean and there are loads of monkeys in the forest. There are two types of monkeys, green tail monkey and red monkey (sounds simple eh, that’s what the locals call them). Overall it’s a good walk under the shade and able to feed the monkeys, but that’s about it… so if you have time to kill, it’s a good place to spend for an hour or so, if not, yo can spend it elsewhere !
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Deborah M
Warrington, UK153 contributions
Friends
You can buy nuts a bananas on site but seemed expensive. We were there early, at 9ish but not a monkey to be seen. We sat and rested for awhile after walking the perimeter (it's a wooded area so trainers are best) then suddenly there were lots and lots of monkeys. They are very tame and will eat out of your hand.
Definitely worth a visit.
Definitely worth a visit.
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marstonbirder
Norwich, UK213 contributions
Bijilo and excellant place to visit,in the area known as kololi.a short walk from some of the well known hotels,the senegambia and kairaba to name but two.for just a few dalasis entrance can be obtained.to quite a large forest,with excellant well marked out footpaths.(a map of paths is shown on the back of your ticket)
peanuts can be used to feed the monkeys,for a smll price,this is one of the best areas too see red-colobus monkey,and the green vervet monkey.as well as ground squirrel,nile monitor,snakes and dozens of bird species.
an exciting trip can be had.take a drink as it can get very humid even under the shade of all the trees .sit at one of the many benchs,relax and watch every thing in its own habitat.
well worth a visit.
peanuts can be used to feed the monkeys,for a smll price,this is one of the best areas too see red-colobus monkey,and the green vervet monkey.as well as ground squirrel,nile monitor,snakes and dozens of bird species.
an exciting trip can be had.take a drink as it can get very humid even under the shade of all the trees .sit at one of the many benchs,relax and watch every thing in its own habitat.
well worth a visit.
Written September 22, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HatshepsutBabita
Huddersfield, UK1 contribution
What's the entrance fee?
Mgclough
York, United Kingdom1 contribution
Was 30 dalasi in Dec. 2018 that's about 50p each well worth it.
Jason
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
hoe laat sluit het park?
Anneke19531
Winsum, The Netherlands6 contributions
Om 17.00 uur.
Patricia P
Brussels, Belgium27 contributions
Bonjour
Pouvez-vous me dire quel est le prix d'entrée du parc svp
Merci et bonne journée
Love to travel the world
Leiden, The Netherlands85 contributions
If you take the 'back entrance', an open sandpath across Baobab hotel at the end of the park, you don't have to pay and don't have to use a guide. It's easy to find and to walk through alone. I don't know the price at the main entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bijilo Forest Park
- We recommend booking Bijilo Forest Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Bijilo Forest Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Bijilo Forest Park:
- (0.11 mi) Keapar Mariam Lodge
- (0.43 mi) Kololi Beach Resort
- (0.68 mi) Kingfishers Apartments
- (0.52 mi) Holiday Beach Club Hotel
- (0.61 mi) The Kairaba Beach Hotel
- Restaurants near Bijilo Forest Park:
- (0.40 mi) Sea Shells Bar & Restaurant
- (0.43 mi) El Sol Steakhouse & Mexican Gambia
- (0.53 mi) Scala Restaurant
- (0.48 mi) GTS Bar & Restaurant
- (0.49 mi) Musa's Bendulla