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Badi Mayo (Accomodation)
there is nowhere else in The Gambia like it
The visitor facility allows you to experience, in a degree of comfort, just how the
chimp project operates. There are only 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'.
The Red Colobus and Green Vervet monkeys pass by the platforms daily, the former
giving magnificent displays of their agility as they leap from tree to tree. A troop
of Western baboons moves along the edge of the cliff and you may be the object of
their alarm 'barks' from time to time. Your dreams might be disrupted by the 'whoops'
of prowling hyena or by the cries of chimps also disturbed in their sleep. The
elevated platforms allow observation of the tree tops below an unusual position
from which to view some of The Gambia's abundant bird life.
A winding stairway takes you from the cliff top down to the narrow strip of
riverain forest and the river's edge where a short wooden walkway leads to the
waterhouse. 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 endangered West African manatee. (On 6th
February 2006 manatee were sighted nine times over a period of one and a half
hours.). Again you will be well positioned to view the bird life from Vs of
Spurwing geese to flights of White Cattle Egret with their plumage tinged a rosy
pink with the rays of the setting sun.
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