11 day Tours
11 Day Gambia-Senegal Birding Expedition
Tour Statistics
Expected Species : 200+
Habitats Visited :8 Different
Accommodation Level : Mid-range
Physical Difficulty : Easy-Moderate
What's Included
- Expert guide Karanta Camara
- Airport transfers
- All transportation
- 6 nights accommodation
- All meals and beverages
- Park entrance fees
- Boat trip expenses
- Binoculars and field guides
Tour Overview
Daily Itinerary
1
Arrival & Welcome to Lemon Creek Hotel
Pick from the airport to Lemon Creek Hotel ideal place for birders and bird photographers because its garden harbours beautiful birds like Blue Breasted, Pygmy, Woodland Kingfishers, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Blue Bellied and Broad Billed Rollers plus Bee Eaters and many more spotted around. We take you on a neighbourhood walk if your arrival time allows during the day.
- Hotel check-in
- Afternoon at Kotu Bridge
- Welcome dinner
Key Species:
2
Kotu Creek & Brufut Woods Exploration
We start the day at 7:30 am with a visit to the famous Kotu Creek, one of The Gambia’s richest birding hotspots. Here we’ll spend half a day searching for an array of Kingfishers—including Giant, Malachite, Pied, and Blue-breasted—as well as Oriole Warblers, Black Egrets, Robin-Chats, and many more. Kotu Creek can easily provide sightings of up to 80 species in a single day. A boat trip offers the perfect opportunity to get close views and capture excellent photographs.
Key Species:
3
Kiang West National Park
An early departure takes us to Kiang West, one of the largest and most diverse reserves in the country. Here we discover savannahs and woodlands, while also enjoying breathtaking views of giant baobab trees. Key Species: Violet Turaco, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Red-necked Falcon
Target Birds:
4
Gunjur Forest & Kartong Wetlands
We begin the day with a 7:30 am pick-up for a drive to Gunjur Forest, an excellent site for forest birding. Here we will be searching for specialties such as Capuchin Babblers, Green Hylia, Collared Sunbird, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, African Goshawk, Grey-headed Bristlebills, Western Bluebills, and many more. The forest is alive with both resident and seasonal species, making it a rewarding start to the day. After a lunch break, we continue south to the beautiful Kartong Wetlands, a diverse habitat where forest, wetland, and the sea converge. This area is especially rich in waterbirds and raptors. Among the highlights are resident White-fronted Plovers, flocks of Ospreys, Snake Eagles, Kingfishers, African Spoonbills, Bee-eaters, Gulls, Terns, and a wide variety of other wetland and coastal birds that round out an exciting day of birding.
Key Species:
5
Upcountry Journey to Tendaba Camp
Pick-up time is 7:30 am as we begin our journey upcountry along the South Bank of The Gambia, heading toward Tendaba Camp for our first overnight stop. Along the way, we will make several birding and photography stops at carefully chosen sites, each offering opportunities to spot new species and enjoy the changing landscapes. This stretch of the journey is particularly rewarding for raptors and large savannah species. We will be on the lookout for Martial Eagles, Long-crested Eagles, Brown Snake Eagles, Wahlberg’s Eagles, African Hawk-Eagles, as well as the impressive Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. With luck, we may also encounter Bronze-winged Coursers and a wide range of other birdlife before arriving at Tendaba Camp in the late afternoon.
Key Species:
6
North Bank Adventure & Morgan Kunda Lodge
We depart early in the morning to cross to the North Bank of The Gambia via Farafenyi, using the bridge to reach this less-visited region. Our overnight stay will be at the scenic Morgan Kunda Lodge, perfectly situated for birding and wildlife observation. The North Bank offers a rich mix of savannah and woodland species. Expected sightings include White-crested Helmet Shrike, Temminck’s Courser, Abyssinian Roller, White-rumped Seed-Eater, Brown-rumped Bunting, White-headed Vultures, Northern Anteater-Chat, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bateleur Eagle, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Yellow Penduline Tit, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Spotted Thick-knee, and many more. The area provides excellent opportunities for photography and close observation of both common and rare species.
Key Species:
7
North Bank Wetlands & River Gambia National Park
After breakfast, we depart early from Morgan Kunda Lodge, heading toward Georgetown with stops at the Kaur Wetlands and Njaw Waterholes. Along the way, we will explore several key birding sites, including a breeding colony of Red-throated Bee-eaters, providing excellent opportunities for photography and observation. Our overnight stay will be at Bansang Riverside Lodge, where we also take a boat trip to River Gambia National Park. Here, we search for hippos, chimpanzees, and a wide variety of birds, including eagles and other water and forest species. At a convenient time, we will continue our journey to Kunkilling Forest, where a boat excursion offers the chance to spot African Finfoot, Adamawa Turtle Dove, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Marabou Storks, African Fish Eagles, and many more. This day combines forest, river, and wetland habitats, making it a highlight for both birders and wildlife enthusiasts.
Key Species:
8
Ferry to Georgetown & Kunkilling Forest Exploration
We continue our journey by crossing to Georgetown via ferry, entering the island for our overnight stay at Bansang Riverside Lodge. At a convenient time during the day, we will take a boat trip to Kunkilling Forest, a prime spot for forest and riverine birds. Here, we will search for species such as African Finfoot, Adamawa Turtle Dove, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Marabou Stork, African Fish Eagle, and many more. The combination of boat and forest excursions makes this day a highlight for both birdwatching and wildlife photography.
Key Species:
9
Return South & Baobolong Wetland Excursion
We begin our journey back south, heading toward Tendaba Camp for an overnight stop. Along the way, we will conduct a boat trip through the two tributaries of the Baobolong Wetland Reserve at Kisi Tunku Bolong, providing excellent opportunities to observe waterbirds, raptors, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. After returning to the camp for a relaxing lunch break, we will continue visiting additional birding sites en route, making the journey itself an enriching experience for both birders and photographers.
Key Species:
10
Return to the Coast & Woodland Birding
After breakfast at Tendaba Camp, we depart for the coast, birding along the way and exploring a series of diverse sites. Our journey will take us through the interior of Kiang West, from Sankandi northwards to Keneba, and across additional woodland habitats. Each stop provides opportunities to observe both common and rare species, making the day a rewarding finale to our birding adventure. By evening, we will arrive back at your hotel for a comfortable rest and reflection on the week’s sightings.
Key Species:
11
Marakissa River Camp & Penyem Woods
On the final day of our tour, we will explore the important birding sites of Marakissa River Camp and Penyem Woods, as well as the surrounding habitats. These areas offer excellent opportunities to spot forest and riverine species that may have been missed earlier in the tour. In the evening, we will return to your hotel on the coast, bringing our 11-day Gambia Birding Tour to a satisfying and memorable conclusion.
Key Species:
Everything You Need for a Perfect Tour
What is included?
Airport Transfer
Double or twin accommodation
Food, Water Bottle
Park Fee
Transportation
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