[4] The park lies in an upland region through which the upper stretch of the Gambia River flows, towards the northwestern border of Guinea.

In valleys and belt-shaped forests, the species reflects the climate of southern Guinea, and tropical woody lianas are abundant.

At the edge of the pond, dry forests and herbaceous savanna develop depending on the degree of humidity or soil compaction.

These include (as of 2005) an estimated 11,000 buffalo, 6,000 hippopotamuses, 400 western giant eland, 50 elephants, 120 lions, 150 chimpanzees, 3,000 waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), 2,000 common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia), an unknown number of Western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius), and a few rare African leopards and West African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus manguensis), although this canid was thought to be wiped out throughout the rest of the country.

Around 330 species of birds have been sighted in the park, notably the Arabian bustard, black crowned crane, Abyssinian ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus), martial eagle, bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus), and white-faced duck (Dendrocygna viduata).