Gambia

Up Close and Personal with The Gang: A Wild West African Encounter

There’s something captivating about photographing wildlife, those fleeting moments of connection that remind us how alike we are. This shot of vervet monkeys was one such moment. Taken in Bijilo Forest Park, Serrekunda, The Gambia, West Africa, it captures the curiosity and charisma of these playful creatures. I spent hours getting lost in the Park and took lots of photos of the monkeys that live there. This shot was a firm favourite, aided with the help of some peanuts to entice the monkeys and get them to pause for a spilt second for this image.

Four Monkeys line up for a photo in The Gambia.

Four Monkeys line up for a photo in The Gambia.

Using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II paired with an EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, I opted for a wide-angle approach to get up close and personal. I lay on my stomach on one of the trials for this low angle perspective, I put out some peanut bait and waited… The settings used were f/7.1, 16mm, 1/125, and ISO 400, which allowed me to balance depth of field and sharpness while keeping the scene vibrant. The tree cover in the forest dulled a lot of the light entering the frame. In hindsight I would have opened the aperture a little more to provide a faster shutter speed. The wide angle brought me right into their world, creating an intimate perspective that places the viewer eye-to-eye with the troop.

The experience gave me an increased respect for nature photographers. It’s no easy feat, patience, timing, and a deep respect for the animals are essential. Staying still, letting the monkeys come closer, and waiting for that perfect moment when their expressions aligned as if posing for the camera was key to capturing this shot. As well as getting lost several times in the large forest, I also almost last my camera bag to another monkey in search for some peanuts.

What makes this image stand out is the sense of personality each monkey brings to the frame. From the cautious glance of the one on the left to the bold confidence of the one extending its hand, it’s a dynamic snapshot of their social world. The lush greenery of Bijilo Forest Park adds a vibrant backdrop, contrasting with their earthy tones.

Photographing wildlife isn’t just about the technicalities, it’s about telling a story. This image, for me, tells a story of connection, curiosity, and the shared experience of existence on this planet. I hear rumours of the forest being used for residential properties, I hope this isn’t the case and the monkeys still have a home.

For more wildlife stories and images, visit my Flickr account. Follow me on Instagram and X for regular updates. Who knows what encounters lie ahead, Mother Africa is calling!

Keywords: #BijiloForestPark #TheGambia #WildlifePhotography #CanonPhotography #WideAngle #VervetMonkeys #WestAfrica #TravelPhotography #NaturalLight #GeraintRowlandPhotography

Black and White Portraits in The Gambia

I recently spent two months in Senegal, during that time I travelled south to the Cassamance area staying in Ziguinchor.  From Ziguinchor I travelled north to spend a couple of weeks in The Gambia.  I spent a couple of weeks living in the Serekunda area some 11 km's west of Banjul, the capital of The Gambia.  This set of black and white photographs were taken outside a traditional Gambian home.  Click through the slideshow below for some black and white portraits I took of the local Gambian children there:

All of the above photos were taken with a Canon 5D2 and a 50mm 1.4 prime lens.  Some of the images were taken candidly whilst others were obviously posed.  I converted the images to black and white using Lightroom as I preferred the overall mood of the resulting series.  

The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa that is completely surrounded by Senegal except for it's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.  Despite a third of Gambians living under the poverty line, the people there are extremely friendly and welcoming.  In fact The Gambia is often referred to as the 'Smiling Coast of West Africa'.  I hope to return soon to explore more of the country and take more photos.

More of my travel photography from West Africa can be found on my website, my Facebook and my Flickr account.  If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.  

Monkey Love, Bijilo Forest Park, The Gambia

I recently spent two months in West Africa visiting Senegal.  I have a Senegal album on my Flickr account with photos from Dakar, Lompoul, and Ziguinchor.  Whilst visiting the Casamance area in the south of the country I decided to take a trip to The Gambia.  The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa and is completely surrounded by Senegal except for its coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.  It is home to the Bijilo Forest Park (aka Monkey Forest).  Click through the slideshow below for some images I took of the monkeys there:

The Bijilo Forest Park, or Monkey Forest is situated next to the coast in the Serekunda area some 11 km's west of Banjul, the capital of The Gambia.  There are various trails through the park that take you through the forest and coastal scrubland.  Many local people told me that there are no longer any monkeys left in the park but there were plenty on the day I visited.  I think the diversity of the monkey population has diminished over recent years with the Western Red Colobus monkey being pushed out of the area.  This has been blamed upon deforestation of the area as well as the practices of the park itself:  By encouraging tourists to buy nuts and feed the green monkeys, their numbers have risen massively pushing out the red monkeys.  I didn't see any red monkeys in the park whilst I was there but did see some along the main road in the mornings.  The green monkeys however are in an abundance (click through the carousel below for more monkey love):

Some major construction was taking place close to the entrance of the park when I visited with more of the park area being cleared for commercial development.  Hopefully enough forest survives for the existing monkeys but their future looks fragile. 

More of my travel photography can be found on my website, my Instagram and my Facebook page.  If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.