Bijilo Forest Park

The Bijilo Forest Park with approximately 51.3 hectares is an area of ​​forest in the West African nation of Gambia. Today, it serves as a nature reserve, forestry, the area is no longer used.

Topography

Located directly on the Atlantic Ocean, 1.2 km north of the city Bijilo and 2.2 kilometers south of Kololi in the West Coast region, district, Kombo North. The park entrance is located on the northern side, the tourist center Kololi Beach or colloquial name Senegambia Area, facing. The park, which is to be accessed only on foot, has an approximately 4.5 -mile trail.

History

The area was established in 1950 and should first serve the forestry use. There was a lack of profitability, since the area of the forest is too small. The Gambian - German Forestry Project ( GGFP ), which is a collaboration with the German Forestry Service ( DFS) and the Society for Technical Cooperation ( GTZ) with the Gambian responsible, successful numerous forests has among other things, the Bijilo Forest Park in 1982 under provided protection. For visitors, the park is open since 1991 and offers a marked forest trail a tour.

Flora

Bijilo regarded as the last natural westatlantischer coastal forest with a variety of plant species. Among other things, can be found here Ethiopian Palmyra palm ( Borassus aethiopum ), it is the last major holdings in the Gambia. Baobabs ( German: baobab tree), cinnamon apple - custard apples ( Annona squamosa ), kapok ( Ceiba pentandra ), figs (Ficus vogelii, F. gnaphalocarpa, F. exasperata, F. capensis ) and giant oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) can be found here.

Fauna

In addition to numerous species of birds live here the Western Vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus sabaeus ), the West African red colobus ( Procolobus badius ) and the hussar monkeys ( Erythrocebus patas ) as well as numerous species of reptiles.

Baobab the same from the other side

Vervet Monkey ( Chlorocebus sabaeus )