Villa Garden
Garden Information
All you might want to know about our Garden
One of the main features of our Compound – apart from the nice veranda and the big pool – is the Garden. It is a space of flowers, bushes and trees as well as a habitat for a Myriade of little animals and insects. Many of them can be observed or heard, especially the birds. So, if you don’t feel like beach or hiring a guide for the day, just relax there. The birds will entertain you through the day. Find a spot and relax and watch as the day’s transitions. Natures coming and going is much set by the Birds. We like to think of this as their “daily work routine”. Notably, they will greet you at the windows and they will say hello, letting you know it may be time to start the day.
There are several rare and exotic birds. The Yellow Crowned Gonolek (Laniarius barbarus), the Red-Billed Hornbill (Tockus kempi), the Blue-Breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) to name just a few which I have been able to identify myself. If you are into bird watching, you will love it.
Once, a bird put up its nest in one of the veranda lights. We decided to let it there until breeding was finished. Thereafter, we installed a fake lamp at one of the veranda walls in order to give it an alternative space.
We would also like to draw your attention to the trees. Most of them bear fruits and many of those can be eaten. There are various coconut and orange trees and, our favourites, five different types of Mango. The mango harvest is only between May and July, a time when there will be more mangos that you can ever eat.
There is also a Fire Pitt for those who decide they would like to spend a romantic evening in front of the fire and under the stars.
For those wondering “Why is there no Compost”? Open Composting in tropical areas may attract snakes and other animals and insects, some which are poisonous and thus not necessarily wanted in house gardens. However, animals like this run and hide. If you want to see and learn more about them, we would suggest a short excursion to “Snake Park”. It is one of the best ways to address questions and fears when it comes to wildlife in forests and / or Gardens in The Gambia.
Please respect the garden as a home to its living beings. We take much effort to maintain it this way. It is a retreat for us and for our guests as well as a habitat for nature.
