Kiang West National Park

Kiang West National Park

Kiang West National Park is Gambia's largest and most important game reserve. It became a national park in 1987. The area of the park is 11 526 hectares and is found on the south bank of the Gambia River, in the Lower River Division of Kiang West District. The park headquarters is located in the village of Dumbuto, and the northern boundary of the park is marked by the Gambia River. Three creeks - the Jarin, the Jali and the Nganingkoi - split the park into three parts. The area is uninhabited, the villages are just outside its boundaries. The park's flora comprises Guinean savannah and dry deciduous woodland. The park is home to most of the country's remaining mammal species. Among these mammals are the African Clawless Otter, bushbuck, caracal, Common Duiker, leopard, Marsh Mongoose, serval, sitatunga, Spotted Hyena and warthogs. The West African Manatee and Humpback Dolphins are occasionally observed in the Jarin bolon. Reptile species in the park consist of the African Python, Bell’s Hinged Tortoise, West African Crocodile, Nile Monitor, Puff Adder, Royal Python and Spitting Cobra. The park is home to more than 300 species of birds, which is more than half of the total recorded in The Gambia. Certain bird species in the park are quite local and are rarely seen elsewhere in the country. The area is home to 21 species of birds of prey, among them eagles, falcons, harriers, hawks and vultures. The other bird species in the park are ten species of kingfisher, the Ground-Hornbill, the threatened Brown-Necked Parrot and many more.