Last Updated on 4 January 2026 by Vanessa
Curious about whether the Baobab Cultural Center in Kembujeh, The Gambia, is worth your time?
Last Saturday, I visited the Baobab Cultural Center in Kembujeh as a guest of the Gambia Tourism Board and SN Brussels Airlines.
In case you’re new to the area, the center is a little craft market where the locals showcase their skills and sell their art. It is also one of the rare places in The Gambia that is teeming with cats.
Most of all, though, Kembujeh serves as a gateway into the Makasutu Culture Forest, after which you can take a canoe to row along the river Mandina Bolong, surrounded by mangroves. This is the most stunning part of The Gambia and one of the absolute highlights of my trip.
Kembujeh, you gateway into Makasutu Culture Forest
Tourists usually come to Kembujeh to start their trip to the Makasutu Culture Forest with a drink, which was exactly what I did, too. But not before photographing the local cats.
Canoe trip on the Mandina Bolong
From Kembujeh, your guide will row you along the river Mandina Bolong in a dugout canoe.
Of all the excursions I’ve done in The Gambia, this boat trip was one of my favorites. Its abundant wildlife and uniquely extravagant natural surroundings took my breath away. (If this sounds like your kind of experience, this is the trip I recommend booking.)
The intricate root systems of the surrounding mangroves provide essential breeding and feeding grounds for a multitude of aquatic species. Local women come here for fishing and collecting oysters. If you look well, you can spot the oysters glued to the branches just above the water. From here, they are transported to oyster camps for processing.
Crocodiles are known to inhabit these waters, and you may spot them sunning themselves on the banks.
Also keep an eye out for playful monkeys that often swing through the trees along the creek, and for the diverse range of bird species, such as herons, kingfishers, egrets, and even the rare and elusive African Finfoot.
It’s a picturesque paradise for those intrigued by the unique ecology of these brackish water habitats.
Makasutu Culture Forest
Back ashore, it’s time for a guided walk through the Makasutu Culture Forest, which is nestled along the banks of a mangrove-lined Mandina Bolong creek.
The name “Makasutu” comes from the Mandinka language, meaning “sacred and deep forest.” The reserve spans ten square kilometers and encompasses riparian forest, savannah, and mangroves.
Within the forest, you’ll find an array of wildlife, including around 200 Guinea baboons, smaller primates, antelope, carnivores, and aquatic creatures like crocodiles and the occasional West African manatee. The avian population is diverse and captivating, both in the marine and terrestrial realms.
Makasutu Culture Forest’s significance extends beyond its biodiversity. It plays a crucial role in the local community and provides employment to over 100 residents in various capacities, including gardeners, drivers, cooks, guides, woodcarvers, musicians, and dancers. This employment has had a transformative impact on an area that previously had limited visitors.
Additionally, the forest emphasizes education, welcoming school visits to engage Gambian children with their environment in a positive manner.
This holistic approach to nature, culture, and community encapsulates authentic ecotourism and makes Makasutu a beacon of responsible travel in The Gambia.
Base Camp
At the end of your visit, your guide will take you by canoe to Base Camp, where you can have a drink near the elephant-shaped swimming pool and climb the lookout point for an impressive view over the Mandina Bolong.
Base Camp is the name of the modern lookout tower in Kembujeh village and serves as an additional tourism facility complementing Makasutu Cultural Forest and Mandina River Lodges. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the array of tourist attractions in the region.
Every Wednesday and Saturday, locals entertain the tourists with drumming and dancing.
Where to stay?
I highly recommend the Mandina River Lodges, located within the Makasutu Culture Forest itself. They are chic and architecturally innovative eco-lodges set within the natural beauty of the forest. The lodge is well-known for its sustainability efforts and offers a serene and immersive stay.
For more inspiration on hotels and other accommodations in The Gambia, read my article Best Places to Stay in The Gambia.
Final thoughts
If there’s one country that took my breath away this year, it was The Gambia. As soon as I left the airport of Banjul, my eyes were darting everywhere, from the colorfully-dressed locals selling fruit and vegetables on decrepit outdoor tables to the many goats and stray dogs that roam the Gambian streets.
My boat trip along the Mandina Bolong and my exploration of the Makasutu Cultural Forest were undoubtedly the standout moments of this already unforgettable trip to The Gambia. These experiences are etched in my memory and will likely be cherished for a lifetime.
While Kembujeh primarily serves as the starting and ending point for this remarkable adventure, it also proves to be an ideal location to unwind with a refreshing drink and share some affectionate moments with the local cats and dogs.
For a complete report of my trip to the Makasutu Cultural Forest, go to Gambia day 1: boat trips, forest walks, and eco-lodges.
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan.
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