Abuko is a town in the West Coast Division of the Gambia, five miles southwest of the capital Banjul. It is located in the district of Kombo North/Saint Mary to the north of Banjul International Airport and Abuko Nature Reserve.

Location

Abuko is in the West Coast Division, in the western part of the country, 10 km south-west of the capital city Banjul. It had 6,572 inhabitants as of 2012. The area around Abuko is well-populated, with 1,056 people per square kilometer. The nearest larger city is Serekunda, 4.5 km north-west of Abuko. The town is home to the Abuko United FC. The 259 acre Abuko Nature Reserve, created in 1968, lies to the south of the town. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Gambia, with over 30,000 visitors annually. It contains tropical canopy forest near the Lamin Stream, giving way to Guinean savanna further from the water. The reserve is home to many species of bird, four primates and a variety of reptiles.

Terrain

Abuko is 15 m above sea level. The surrounding land is mainly flat. The highest point nearby has an elevation of 26 m, 1 km south of Abuko. The vegetation around Abuko is almost all fields. Peninsulas and islands are common in the region.

Climate

Abuko has a savanna climate. The average temperature is 24 C. The hottest month is April, with 27 C and the coldest month is July, with 22 C. Average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. The wettest month is August, with 449 mm of rain, and the driest month is February, with 1 mm of rain.