Traditional cooking

Learn how to cook tradtional food

Kanen Nature and Botanical Gene Bank

A Sanctuary Where Nature Speaks and Culture Heals

Kanen Nature and Botanical Gene Bank

Preserving Biodiversity, Wellness & Indigenous Wisdom

Experience Kanen Nature Center

Rest Easy, Breathe Deep, and Reconnect with Nature

🌿 About Us

At KANEN Nature and Botanical Gene Bank, we are committed to protecting The Gambia’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our work combines conservation, education, and cultural preservation to ensure that future generations inherit a land rich in life, nature, and tradition.

🌱 Conservation & Habitat Protection

We conserve native trees and wild species, ensuring they have food, water, and shelter, especially during the harsh dry season. Our site has become a refuge for birds, monkeys, and many other animals who can no longer find water elsewhere.

🌿 Medicinal & Educational Garden

We maintain a living garden where visitors can learn about Gambian trees, their names in English and local languages, and their medicinal benefits.

🏡 Cultural Heritage Preservation

Beyond nature, we preserve traditions by teaching children how traditional Gambian houses, kitchens, toilets, and animal shelters are built — keeping cultural knowledge alive.

🍲 Eco-Cultural Experiences

To sustain our work, we welcome visitors to experience authentic Gambian culture, including traditional dishes such as Findi.

💧 Challenges, Mission & Vision

At KANEN Nature and Botanical Gene Bank, our journey is filled with both struggles and hope. Despite the obstacles, our commitment to protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage remains unshakable.

💧 Our Challenges

One of our greatest struggles is water access. During the dry season, our wells dry up, forcing us to connect pipes over 100 meters to draw water from a neighboring garden. This lifeline is essential for wildlife survival and sustaining our conservation work. Additionally, feeding the wild animals is hard and expensive, and collecting leftovers from the garden and market requires extra mobility and effort.

🌍 Our Mission

  • To raise awareness on traditional medicines
  • Protect and promote nature
  • Preserve biodiversity
  • Safeguard the environment against the threat of climate change

✨ Our Vision

We envision a future where The Gambia’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage are not only protected but celebrated. With more support, we can expand our impact and ensure that future generations inherit a Gambia full of life, nature, and culture.

Tree Planting at Kanen

Roots of Hope

Join hands in restoring balance and fighting climate change through tree planting.

Planting Trees to Combat Climate Change

At Kanen, we believe that every tree planted is a step towards a healthier planet. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, and create shelter for countless species, making them vital allies in the fight against climate change.

Through our tree-planting initiatives, we work with communities, schools, and visitors to restore degraded lands, protect biodiversity, and ensure that future generations inherit a greener Gambia.

Learn to Cook Gambian Style

Step into our traditional outdoor kitchen and explore the rich culinary heritage of The Gambia. From hand-pounded domoda to slow-cooked benachin, experience cooking that nourishes the body and celebrates the culture.

Under the guidance of local women chefs, you'll learn ancestral recipes, discover indigenous ingredients, and connect with a community that keeps these timeless flavors alive.

Traditional Cooking at Kanen

Taste the Tradition

Cook, share, and savor the heart of Gambian cuisine.

Experience Kanen Nature Center

Nature Lounge

🪵 Relax in Our Nature Lounge

After your exploration, unwind in our traditional Bantaba, a communal resting place shaded under trees. Relax on comfortable sun beds, read a book, meditate, or simply breathe in the fresh, unpolluted air. The natural soundscape of birds, rustling leaves, and flowing breeze is the therapy you didn’t know you needed.

Birdwatching

🐦 Birdwatching & Wildlife Photography

Calling all bird lovers and photographers! Kanen is home to dozens of native bird species, making it a premier birdwatching spot in The Gambia. Our camouflaged hideout by the pool allows you to:

  • Observe birds without disturbing their behavior
  • Capture National Geographic–worthy photos

Come early for the sunrise views or stay late for the golden hour. It’s magical.

Gambian Food

🍽 A Culinary Experience Like No Other

Our onsite kitchen offers authentic Gambian cuisine, with Findi — a local delicacy made from fonio grains — as our signature dish. Served with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, this dish reflects the soul of Gambian cooking. We also offer:

  • Refreshing herbal teas made from our own plants
  • Cooking demos for curious foodies
Eco Lodge

🏡 Rest Easy in Nature’s Embrace

Make your visit memorable at our welcoming and eco-friendly space, just a 6-minute walk from the nature center. Whether you're here to learn, explore, or simply enjoy the peace of nature, our center offers a refreshing experience for everyone.

  • Clean, comfortable rooms with nature views
  • Solar-powered amenities
  • Wi-Fi, mosquito nets, and serene silence
  • Optional guided night walks or fireside storytelling

Kanen Nature and Botanical Gene Bank

A Sanctuary of Nature, Culture & Healing nestled in the heart of The Gambia. Explore sacred plants, cultural heritage, and the wisdom of indigenous traditions.

Discover Our Services
Bakery

🍞 Local Bakery & Community Empowerment

We provide local bakery training and also supply the community with freshly baked bread. Our bakery not only delivers delicious products but also creates job opportunities for young people, empowering them with skills and a sustainable livelihood.

Testimonials

📺 Our YouTube Video

We collected mangoes from village , distributing at Kanen Nature wild feed ground

Visit Our YouTube Channel

📍 Contact Us

Email: kanenature@gmail.com
  • +2202102357
  • +2205844903
  • +2206713740
  • +2207537060