Images from Ginak Island…

Ryan and I went to Ginak Island to distribute 100 mosquito nets. What a unique place to say the least. There were so many photo stories there and just want to share some images that I took on the trip. The environment was your typical “up country” feel but most residents spoke exceptional English. Friendly people living a simple life, that’s what its about. More images to come!

From the web about Ginak:
Jinack Island (also spelt Jenack, Ginak & sometimes known as Paradise Island) is located off the north bank of the estuary of The Gambia River, separated from the mainland by the Niji Bolon and is part of the National Park of Niumi which is a marine protected delta area and is aiming to be an eco-tourist holiday destination. The park was established in 1986 and has an area of just over 4,900 hectares (49 sq. km) with (geographical coordinates: 13.30°N 16.30°W) and its boundaries start from Barra Point right up to the Senegalese border at the National Park of Saloum in Senegal then east to the tributary of Masarinko Bolon. The island itself has over 11 kilometres of unspoilt, fairly shallow beaches which are often visited by dolphins.

To get to the island you take a ferry from the port of Banjul to Barra which costs less than 50 pence. From Barra you then take a local taxi heading towards Fass then go left at Kanuma into the park. There are a couple of villages in the area: Jinack Kajata and Niji. It is possible to make a day-trip excursion there from Kololi resort if you set out fairly early in the morning.

A major part of the park encompasses several habitat types such as dry savannahgrasslands, coastal scrub, and woodland which is on an elevated rocky plateau which has the Masarinko . Bolon tributary dividing it. The park itself is riddled with wetlands, thick vegetation, fresh-water marshland, tidal mud flats, mangrove swamps, farmland and lagoons.