National park · The Gambia
Kiang West National Park
Visit Kiang West National Park as a day trip from Tendaba or a longer stay from the Atlantic Coast: the park is best for birdwatching and wildlife drives in November–April, with a guide from Tendaba Camp or a Banjul operator; skip the self-drive unless you have a 4×4 and know the tracks.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- The Gambia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Gambian government sources before booking.
- The Gambia ↗Dress modestly away from the beach: shoulders and knees covered in towns and villages.
- The Gambia ↗Keep about US$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
At a glance
- Country
- The Gambia
- Area
- 115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²)
- Approximate; official figures vary (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Kiang West National Park, declared in 1987, is one of The Gambia's largest protected areas, covering Guinea savanna, dry woodland, tidal flats and mangrove creeks. It holds more than 300 bird species and mammals including leopard, spotted hyena, serval, sitatunga and West African manatee. The park receives few tourists, so wildlife viewing is quiet and uncrowded, but infrastructure is minimal: you need a guide and a vehicle. Most visitors base themselves at Tendaba Camp, 15 km east of the park boundary, or come on a day trip from the Atlantic Coast resorts.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
115 km² (44 sq mi)44 sq mi (115 km²) · national park since 1987
Approximate; official figures vary (check).
Why go
- One of The Gambia's largest and least-visited national parks, with quiet wildlife viewing.
- Over 300 bird species, including many that are rare or absent elsewhere in the country.
- Mammals such as leopard, spotted hyena, serval, sitatunga and West African manatee.
- Guinea savanna, dry woodland and mangrove creeks in a compact area.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; peak birding
- FebDry, warm; good wildlife
- MarDry, hot; birds still abundant
- AprDry, hot; last good month before rains
- MayRains start; trails muddy
- JunWet; leeches and mosquitoes
- JulHeavy rain; park may be inaccessible
- AugPeak wet; roads poor
- SepWet; wildlife dispersed
- OctRains tail off; green season
- NovDry and mild; best time
- DecDry and cool; excellent birding
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (over 300 species)Nov–Apr · Peak for migrants and resident species. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Mammals (leopard, hyena, serval, sitatunga, bushbuck, warthog)Nov–Apr · Best seen in the dry season when they gather near water. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| West African manatee and humpback dolphinNov–Apr · Occasional sightings from boats. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Snakes (puff adder, python)All year · Watch your step on trails. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Atlantic Coast (Kololi, Kotu, Cape Point)
Taxi or tour vehicle east on the South Bank Road to Tendaba (about 2 h), then 15 km (9.3 mi) north to the park gate.Taxi or tour vehicle east on the South Bank Road to Tendaba (about 2 h), then 9.3 mi (15 km) north to the park gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Banjul
Taxi or tour vehicle via the South Bank Road to Tendaba, then north to the park.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Tendaba
Tendaba Camp arranges vehicles and guides; the park gate is a 20–30 min drive north.
20–30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main park area (savanna and woodland) | Open Guinea savanna and dry deciduous woodland with game-viewing tracks. | Open with a guide and vehicle. |
| Mangrove creeks and tidal flats | Mangrove-lined creeks along the Gambia River, good for birds and manatees. | Accessible by boat from Tendaba or the park's river edge. |
| Tubabkollon Point | A sandy beach on the Gambia River in the northeast of the park, good for wildlife watching. | Open; reachable by vehicle track. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate (main entrance) · Gate≈13.383, -15.917Approximate location; the gate is on the road north from Tendaba.Map ↗
- 2Tubabkollon Point · Viewpoint≈13.417, -15.883Approximate; a sandy beach on the Gambia River in the northeast of the park.Map ↗
- 3Tendaba Camp · Sleep≈13.350, -15.800Approximate; the main base for park visits.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park has no official published point locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | GMD 200–500 | person | Check current fee at the gate or with a guide. |
| Vehicle entry | GMD 500–1,000 | vehicle | Check. |
| Guide fee (half day) | GMD 500–1,000 | group | Check; often included in tour packages. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- GMD 200–500
- GMD 500–1,000
- GMD 500–1,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all park visits; self-driving without a guide is not recommended due to poor tracks and lack of signage.
- Vehicles
- Only 4×4 vehicles are suitable for the park tracks; standard cars may get stuck.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins in the park.
- Fires
- No fires in the park.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach or feed animals; stay in your vehicle during drives.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tendaba Camp
Chalets and a restaurant in Tendaba village, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the park gate; the most established base.Chalets and a restaurant in Tendaba village, 9.3 mi (15 km) from the park gate; the most established base.
Near the park
Atlantic Coast resorts
Hotels in Kololi, Kotu and Cape Point, 2–2.5 h drive from the park.
Safety
Snakes medium
Getting lost high
Heat and dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park has no paved paths or facilities for limited mobility; a 4×4 vehicle is needed for game drives.
- Tendaba Camp has basic chalets with steps; check with the camp for accessible rooms.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a local guide from Tendaba or a Banjul operator to support the community.
- Stay on designated tracks to avoid damaging the savanna and woodland.
- Do not buy bushmeat or wildlife products.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kiang West National Park?
Entry fees are about 200–500 GMD per person and 500–1000 GMD per vehicle (check). Guide fees are extra, about 500–1000 GMD for a half-day. Fees may change; confirm with your guide or at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Kiang West National Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The main activity is a wildlife drive in a 4×4 with a guide. You can also walk near Tubabkollon Point with a guide for birdwatching.
When is the best time to visit Kiang West National Park?
November to April is the dry season and the best time for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. The park is difficult to access in the wet season (July–October).
Can I visit Kiang West National Park without a guide?
No. A guide is required for all visits. The park tracks are unmarked and easy to get lost on; a guide also knows where to find wildlife.
What animals can I see in Kiang West National Park?
Mammals include leopard, spotted hyena, serval, sitatunga, bushbuck, warthog and West African manatee. Over 300 bird species have been recorded.
Where should I stay to visit Kiang West National Park?
Tendaba Camp, 15 km east of the park, is the closest accommodation. You can also visit as a day trip from the Atlantic Coast resorts (about 2 h drive).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Ask about Kiang West National Park
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