Walking into Abuko feels like stepping into a different world. The tall trees close in overhead, and the air becomes cooler and shadier. You might hear a green monkey scolding you from a branch, or spot a monitor lizard slipping silently through the undergrowth. The reserve is threaded with clear paths so visitors can explore without disturbing the animals.
More than 270 species of bird have been recorded in Abuko. That is extraordinary for such a tiny area. Kingfishers flash like jewels over the pool, hornbills bounce noisily from tree to tree, and if you are very patient and very quiet, you might see a rare Pel's fishing owl perching near the water at dusk.
Abuko also has a small animal orphanage inside the reserve. Young animals that have lost their mothers or been hurt are brought here to be cared for before being released back into the wild. Visitors sometimes see young hyenas, servals (wild cats) or monitor lizards being looked after by the keepers.
The reserve shows how much wildlife can thrive even in a very small protected area. It also shows how close nature can be to a big city — you can visit Abuko and be back in Banjul in time for lunch.