Bijilo Forest Park

Bijilo, also called the Monkey Park, is a small block of coastal woodland and palm scrub right beside the Kololi hotel strip, with a few kilometres of looped trails through it. Green vervet and red colobus monkeys live in it and come close on the paths, and the bird list is long for such a small area. The Atlantic is a short distance beyond the trees on one side.

What you actually see

• The red colobus - the monkeys the park is best known for.
• The vervets - the troop that comes closest to walkers on the trails.
• The looped trails - a few kilometres of path through the woodland.
• The birding - a long list for a small coastal patch.

When to go

November to February is the cool dry season. Early morning is best for both birds and monkeys. The rains from June bring the forest up.

Honest expectations

Feeding the monkeys is discouraged but happens, and some have become aggressive around bags. The park is small and two hours covers it. Guides at the gate expect a fee.

Nearby

Kololi is beside it, and Serekunda is inland.