Kachikally Crocodile Pool

Officially known as Kachikally the crocodile  pool at Bakau, Gambia,  the local unofficial  and even the official guides and taxi drivers almost always use the anglicised name "Kara Charlie" or "Kachi Charlie" and, with the intention of attracting  customers, refer to the largest of the reptiles as "Charlie". At one time they would try to tell you that "Charlie" was the crocodile  printed on one of the local banknotes but that has now been withdrawn. Also untrue amongst the stories is that these crocodiles are Nile Crocodiles  but they're actually the, smaller, West African Crocodiles.

However, for all its concessions  to tourism, this place remains the site of local fertility rites and the nearby associated museum (a relatively recent addition) holds a range of costumes and artifacts relating to that function. There are two other sacred crocodile pools in this small country but this is closest to the tourist hotels area.

At the crocodile  pool there are a large number of medium to large crocodiles, many basking out of the water and all seemingly so well fed that they are not interested in tourists. You will be walking in the midst of them. Guides will tell visitors which reptiles  are safe to touch whilst the ineviable photos are taken but be warned that all the time  the visitor is holding onto his or her stomach contents whilst being assaulted by the strong stench of rotting fish.

However , if you can face the smell this is a  unusual opportunity  to interact with crocodiles.