Chimp rehabilitation project and safari camp
| country: | Gambia |
| location: | River Gambia National Park, 25km from Georgetown |
| price: | From £100 per person per night |
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description
A rare opportunity to stay in a degree of comfort next to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Association’s (CRA) working camp - Africa’s longest running and perhaps most successful, chimp rehabilitation project - and to see first hand Stella Brewer’s pioneering, holistic approach to wildlife conservation. There are currently 79 chimps, well protected in their national park home which comprises three islands in the River Gambia some 270 km inland. Here you will have the chance to observe, with a very small group, from a boat and at close range this fascinating close relative of ours.
Stella is almost always on hand to guide you through the nuances of chimp behaviour and language and to explain the hierarchies and family relationships. This way of observation is not intrusive, allows the chimps to maintain their dignity and almost totally eliminates the potential for disease transfer (human to chimp). As well as the chimps there are hippos, Western Red Colobus, Green vervet, Guinea baboons, warthog, manatee, otters, hyena and, of course, The Gambia’s famous bird life.
If you have an interest in people, development or poverty alleviation you will be able to see for yourself that it is possible for the local people to benefit directly from the conservation of their country’s wildlife. Under Stella’s guidance the existence of the chimps has already brought real, tangible benefits to the villagers near the national park. But for some people this is an area of amazing riveraine tranquillity where neither the wildlife nor the people are focal points to the visit but serve as a visual and aural backdrop to a few days that are truly 'away from it all' at this chimp rehabilitation project and safari camp.Chimpanzee boat safari Bush trails horse cart Guided walking trails (up to 6km) through the bush Bird watching from boat or on land Gambia Horse& Donkey HQ (equine welfare & poverty alleviation programmes Visit the village school where, through the chimp rehab project, we sponsor around 300 children Alexander Edwards Village Clinic managed by the chimp rehab project
Stella is almost always on hand to guide you through the nuances of chimp behaviour and language and to explain the hierarchies and family relationships. This way of observation is not intrusive, allows the chimps to maintain their dignity and almost totally eliminates the potential for disease transfer (human to chimp). As well as the chimps there are hippos, Western Red Colobus, Green vervet, Guinea baboons, warthog, manatee, otters, hyena and, of course, The Gambia’s famous bird life.
If you have an interest in people, development or poverty alleviation you will be able to see for yourself that it is possible for the local people to benefit directly from the conservation of their country’s wildlife. Under Stella’s guidance the existence of the chimps has already brought real, tangible benefits to the villagers near the national park. But for some people this is an area of amazing riveraine tranquillity where neither the wildlife nor the people are focal points to the visit but serve as a visual and aural backdrop to a few days that are truly 'away from it all' at this chimp rehabilitation project and safari camp.
special things to do and see here
travellers' tales
Seeing the chimps at close range was an incredible experience. It was so moving and fascinating to look into their eyes, and watch them eat, play and groom each other. (more)
rooms, food and facilities
Four, 2-bedded en suite Safari tents each set on a platform located just below the lip of the mainland cliffs that overlook the River Gambia and the islands of the national park. The Safari tents are set some 50-80 metres apart with the neighbouring tents just visible giving a sense of privacy without a feeling of isolation. Taking a shower beneath the full moon with the River Gambia shimmering below is described by some visitors as an ‘ethereal experience’. Set on stilts over the River Gambia the waterhouse provides a cooler, screened relaxation area where drinks and meals are served. Food is basic - a mixture of local and European. Beer and soft drinks are available for purchase but spirits and wine should be brought along as required. 
The partly shaded veranda faces the river and Island 2 (home to alpha-male chimp Hesus and his group) from where the boat will collect you for river trips. A small, elevated, open terrace is ideal for moon and star gazing. From the waterhouse you can frequently hear the chimps and sometimes see them. Hippos are sighted from the waterhouse as are, occasionally, the rare West African manatee. Access and age restrictions: For safety reasons children below the age of 12 cannot be accepted and older children are not encouraged. Unfortunately we don't have disabled access; you need to be reasonably physically active to maximise your enjoyment of the experience (and to manage the winding stairway).
It is hot during the days (with coolish nights) from late November through to early March, and hot and humid (day and night) for most of the remainder of the year.
how to find us
We are in the River Gambia National Park, 270km inland, and around 25 km from Georgetown.how this holiday makes a difference
 This chimp rehabilitation and safari camp is a not for profit organisation and all net income goes to supporting the chimps and protecting their island home. Only the local staff are salaried. We employ over 30 salaried plus ad hoc contractors, inlcuding a mechanic from a a nearby village who was persuaded to come back upriver – rural drift. We buy products locally, e.g. raffia mats & timber, clay pots, nuts & fruit, sugar cane, maize, bread, etc to support the local community. We have been de facto managers of the National Park since 1979, financing the park's protection & protecting the third largest community of rehab chimps in Africa. As a result of employing hippo watchmen the hippo population has risen from near extinction to 40-50. The very rare West African manatee also seems to be making a come back. In all work we try for a low impact approach. We have very strict rules when it comes to interaction with wildlife (e.g. not eating in front of chimps). All main power is solar, we are frugal with water and compost what we can. We have an ongoing poultry project. We realise that those people not directly employed by us should also benefit form wildlife conservation. To this end we have organised sponsorship of 300 children in the nearby village school, set up a village clinic and run the Horse & Donkey project that aims to increase farmer income whilst improving equine welfare. We also have 2 education officers that visit schools to teach about wildlife conservation & sustainability. There is always ongoing informal education of staff, contractors and our neighbours and of course visitors. Anyone who wishes to give anything to the village children should pass their gift to the headmaster who will then distribute; the children of Sambel do not beg for pens, sweets, etc and we do not want to encourage them to do so. |
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