Many tourists who visit Gambia are offered to visit Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Senegal as well, where, among other things, walking with lions is offered. The Gambia itself has had little wildlife left since decades. But tourists usually expect to see some wildlife when visiting an African country. That is why local tour operators offer to take a day tour from Gambia to Fatalah Wildlife Reserve in neighboring Senegal. In this article you can read why I would advise not to do so.
Fathala Wildlife Reserve is sometimes also written as Fattalah, Fatala or Fatallah.
In this article
Long day
The day trip from a resort on the Gambian west coast to Fathala Wildlife Reserve is long. And certainly not free either. So then you have to decide for yourself: is this worth my time and money? Based on my personal experience I would say no! In my case, unfortunately, this is a case of “looking back and regret I visited ignorantly”, which I would like to spare you.
In terms of travel time, you will probably have to leave before the breakfast buffet in your hotel opens in the morning. And you will only return at the end of the day, after sunset. That in itself does not have to be a problem, provided it is worth it and you are willing to do so.
In the case of the 2-day domestic trip to Gambia River National Park it was definitely worth the long travel days. But in the case of Fathala Wildlife Reserve, we have had to conclude for ourselves that it was not. Too bad! The ferry crossing between Gambia and Senegal was the highlight of the day.
This is wrong: walking with lions
Tom had never been on safari before. However, what I had not understood beforehand was that this is THE park in Senegal, where walking with lions is offered as an activity. When we saw this offered at the entrance to Fathala Wildlife Reserve, I was shocked. Shit, this is really NOT okay! But then we were already standing there… Regret!
Fathala Wildlife Reserve offers walking with lions 5 times a day. So those animals have to walk the same lap 5 times a day, 7 days a week, with a group of tourists. They pay a lot of money for this (USD 550 p.p.).
Lions that are bred to entertain tourists, often to the point of death (trophy hunting), are called blood lions. This term refers to blood diamonds, which also involves a lot of violence, suffering and other misery in Africa.
Animal welfare organizations such as WWF, WAP and SPOTS do not recommend walking with wild lions – which Fathala Wildlife Reserve offers, among others. Why? Simply because it is not animal friendly. It is unnatural for lions to walk next to humans. These lions have therefore been trained (the hard way) and/or drugged to behave this way. A tourist who really cares about animals will not participate in this, and will not want to sponsor a wildlife park that offers such activities.
Fortunately, fewer and fewer Dutch tour operators offer these types of animal-unfriendly activities. They should be deeply ashamed that Tripadvisor makes it a Traveler’s Choice! The ignorance is shocking.
Moreover, lions remain wild animals. And accidents that happen not rarely with those. That stick that you probably get with that walk is really not going to save you if that lion decides to attack you, that’s a false sense of security. They may shoot the lion dead and you may be seriously injured. Believe me; In any case, your travel insurance does not cover such a risky activity.
Go to the zoo
Should you be living in the Netherlands and want to visit a small-scale wildlife park with zebras and giraffes; then just go to Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek. You don’t need to go all the way to Senegal for that. Beekse Bergen is nicer and more beautiful than Fathala Wildlife Reserve. Moreover, much closer to home, so also a bit more sustainable. Although you may wonder whether wild animals in captivity are such at all?
The comparison between Fathala and Beekse Bergen is often made by Dutch people on social media. Fortunately, unlike Fathala, Beekse Bergen does not offer walking with lions activities. However, they are both organized parks, with fences around them, and of limited size.
Beekse Bergen, with 120 hectares, is much smaller than Fathala with approximately 6,000 hectares, but this is not large by African standards. Moreover, the circle you see during the safari in Fathala is no larger (read: disappointingly small) than what you see during a safari in Beekse Bergen.
Fathala Wildlife Reserve is home to zebras, giraffes, lions, monkeys, antelopes and a rhino – they also have them at the Beekse Bergen! Moreover, Beekse Bergen also has elephants, cheetahs and ostriches – Fathala does not. I was disappointed with the amount of animals we saw in Fathala Wildlife Reserve. If you want to go to Africa to see really special wildlife, then in my opinion it is better to go to Uganda, such as Murchison Falls and Bwindi Impenetrable NP.
Bite the dust
Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Senegal is dry and dusty. If you drive through there in the jeep for a safari, it will start collecting dust. Sunglasses protect your eyes a little against the dust, but it is certainly not pleasant. The bushes around the path were also covered in thick layers of dust. And that with about 35 degrees Celsius (95Ā°F).
Do you want to hold on to the railing of the 4×4 jeep while tearing through the arid, dusty landscape? Too bad, it’s hot and the black paint is coming off. Not nice!
The crocodile pond, which is located between the ticket counter and the restaurant of Fathala Wildlife Reserve, does not make me happy either. The crocodiles only have a shallow, dirty layer of water to swim in – with dead, floating fish in it! And the turtles in the garden at reception can be touched by anyone, no one says anything about it. Very sad!
Still want to visit Senegal?
If you still want to visit Senegal, skip Fathala Wildlife Reserve and stay longer than one day. From The Netherlands, TUI offers sun holidays from Amsterdam to Senegal. If you book a group trip, just make sure you check the program and Fathala Wilflife Reserve is not included in the program! Also check the travel advice for Senegal from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs, like UK or USA before booking and traveling. French is mainly spoken in Senegal.
In short, visiting Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Senegal from Gambia is a waste of money, time and animal welfare. The giraffes and zebras looked fine, but the fact that they offer walking with lions here is enough reason for me to boycott this park. Senegal really has better places to offer. By the way, this article contains my personal opinion, although supported by many reactions from others on social media who feel the same way.
Read more: Africa
Would you like to read more about African destinations? On this website you will find the following articles:
- Holidays to The Gambia: exciting inland trip
- Soweto, horse riding safari & cheetas Africa Dream Trip part 1
- Etosha National Park in Namibia – Africa Dream Trip part 2
- Discover Gorgeous Namibia – Africa Dream Trip part 3
- Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund and save cheetahs
- Wonderful wineries in Stellenbosch – Africa Dream Trip part 4
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Last Updated on 10/27/2024 by Elisa Flitter Fever