The Farasuto Forest Community Nature Reserve is a relict patch of what might best be described as ‘wet evergreen forest’ though the place is only really wet during the rains – broadly from June to October. About a century ago most of the Gambia … was reported to be covered by dense and almost impenetrable forest even after large areas had been cleared for groundnut cultivation. At that time the forests were rich in wildlife … [and] habitat for a variety of large mammals which are nowadays rare (such as hippopotamus, waterbuck, roan) or extinct (such as buffalo, giraffe, elephant, lion etc.)
For those unfamiliar with true forest then ‘jungle’ might conjure up the right image; magnificent tall trees with buttress roots, darkness, heat, humidity, dense greenery and the inability to see more than a few metres down the track and often much less into the vegetation at your side. And silence but for strange sounds – songs, cries and calls emanating from things unseen even when you search for them. That is during the wet season – access is easier in the dry season.
It is a great place to visit and experience at first hand the Gambia’s rich biodiversity – we have identified over 150 species of trees and shrubs, 300 flowering plants, 170 birds and 90 butterflies! There are animals too including 40 species of mammal, 100 species of reptile and 30 species of amphibian.
Farasuto Forest was established in 1995 with the aim of protecting the area’s biodiversity. The reserve is managed by a local community who are committed to sustainable tourism practices. Visitors can explore the forest on foot, by bike or by boat. There are also a number of guided tours available.
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