Visiting the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project in The Gambia

The Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project sits approximately 270 kilometers inland from the Gambian coast within the borders of River Gambia National Park. Established in 1979 by Stella Marsden, this sanctuary provides a home for over 140 chimpanzees living across five separate islands. These primates represent a population that was once extinct in the wild within the country. Most visitors arrive via the town of Kuntaur, which serves as the primary jump-off point for boat excursions. Unlike many wildlife parks, you cannot set foot on the islands themselves—a strict rule implemented to protect the chimps from human respiratory illnesses.

Getting there from the coastal resort areas takes roughly four to five hours by car. The journey along the south bank road reveals a changing terrain from the urbanized coast to the rural interior. While the park is open year-round, the project specifically welcomes visitors only from Thursday through Sunday. This schedule allows staff to focus on critical conservation work during the beginning of the week. Most observers aim for the late afternoon boat trips when the chimpanzees often congregate near the water edge for supplemental feeding.

Wildlife Conservation on the Baboon Islands

The Origins of the 1979 Primate Sanctuary

Stella Marsden founded the project after years of working with orphaned chimpanzees at the Abuko Nature Reserve. By 1979, the growing population required a more natural and expansive environment, leading to the selection of the Baboon Islands. The initial group of chimps had been confiscated from the illegal pet trade or rescued from laboratory settings. Today, the project is under the direction of American primatologist Janis Carter, who famously lived on the islands for several years to facilitate the transition of the chimps back to a semi-wild state.

This sanctuary is recognized as one of the longest-running chimpanzee rehabilitation efforts in Africa. The resident chimps have now formed stable social groups and have successfully raised multiple generations of wild-born offspring. Observing these family units from a distance provides a window into complex primate social structures. You might see mothers teaching young chimps how to forage or dominant males patrolling the riverbanks. The project remains a strictly non-contact environment—a policy essential for preventing human-borne pathogens from decimating the resident population.

Navigating the 585-Hectare River Gambia National Park

The park encompasses about 585 hectares of lush gallery forest and swampy savannah. This protected area is much more than just a home for chimpanzees; it serves as a critical refuge for the threatened hippopotamus population in the Gambia. While cruising the river, sightings of these massive mammals are frequent, though they often remain submerged with only their eyes and ears visible. The riverine environment also supports diverse primate species including the Western Red Colobus and Guinea Baboons.

Ornithologists find the park particularly rewarding because more than 240 bird species inhabit the area. African Fish Eagles are common sights on the high branches overlooking the water. In the evenings, the atmosphere changes as nocturnal creatures begin to stir. If you stay overnight at the project camp, you can join a guided bushbaby walk to spot these small primates with a flashlight. The silence of the river is often broken by the deep grunts of hippos or the distant hooting of chimpanzees settled in their nests for the night.

Practical Logistics for Visitors and Researchers

Booking Boat Tours and Riverside Stays

There are two main ways to experience the project. Travelers can organize a private boat trip from the Kuntaur wharf, which typically takes about 45 minutes to reach the island vicinity. Alternatively, staying at the project's own Badi Mayo eco-camp offers a more immersive experience. The camp is situated on a high cliff overlooking the river and consists of four large safari tents on raised platforms. This location provides an excellent vantage point for sunrise—a sight that makes the long journey from Banjul worthwhile.

Reservations for the camp must be made well in advance because space is extremely limited. Prices for an overnight stay generally hover around £125 per person, including meals and two daily boat trips. Children under 13 are not permitted to stay at the camp due to safety and health regulations. If you choose to drive yourself, be prepared for the final 14-kilometer stretch of dirt road from the village of Kudang, which passes through several small settlements like Sambel Kunda before reaching the project headquarters.

Critical Safety and Health Protocols for Primate Viewing

Conservation at the project relies on strict adherence to distance rules. Boats typically maintain a gap of at least 20 meters from the island shores. This distance prevents the chimps from feeling threatened and significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission. Humans and chimpanzees share nearly 98 percent of their DNA, making the primates susceptible to common human colds and flu which can be fatal to them. If you are feeling unwell or have a persistent cough, it is ethically responsible to postpone your visit.

Staff members provide detailed briefings before every boat trip to ensure everyone understands the rules. You should avoid making loud noises or using flash photography, as these can disturb the animals. The project is funded largely by tourism revenue, with profits supporting local community development like the construction of boreholes for clean water. By visiting, you are directly contributing to the survival of these great apes and the well-being of the surrounding Gambian villages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors walk on the islands to see the chimps?

No, visitors are strictly prohibited from landing on any of the five islands within the park. This rule is in place to prevent the transmission of human diseases to the chimpanzees and to ensure the safety of both humans and primates.

What is the best time of day to see the chimpanzees?

Late afternoon boat trips, starting around 4:00 PM, offer the highest probability of sightings. This is the time when the chimpanzees often come down to the water's edge for their supplemental daily feedings provided by the project staff.

How far is the project from the main tourist area of Banjul?

The project is located about 270 kilometers inland from the coastal resort areas. It takes roughly four to five hours to drive there along the south bank road, so most people choose to stay overnight in the area.

Are there any age restrictions for visiting the project?

While anyone can take a boat tour from Kuntaur, the official Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project eco-camp has a minimum age requirement of 13 years for overnight guests. This policy helps maintain the quiet, low-impact environment necessary for the chimps' welfare.

Is the park open to the public every day of the week?

The project is only open to visitors from Thursday through Sunday. It remains closed from Monday to Wednesday to allow the conservation team to focus on research, monitoring, and habitat maintenance without the presence of tourists.