12 day Tours
12 Day Photography & Birding Expedition
Tour Statistics
Expected Species : 200+
Habitats Visited : 14 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
Golden Hour Focus
Scheduled around optimal lighting conditions for bird photography
Tour Overview
Daily Itinerary
1
Coastal Birding at Lemon Creek Hotel
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Lemon Creek Hotel on the coast. Along the way, we will begin birding familiarization, observing common coastal and woodland species to get your first taste of The Gambia’s rich avifauna. Depending on your arrival time, we will also explore the hotel’s immediate surroundings, including its gardens, which are home to species such as Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Pygmy Kingfishers, Woodland Kingfishers, Broad-billed Rollers, Pearl-spotted Owlets, and various Bee-eaters.
- Hotel check-in
- Afternoon at Kotu Bridge
- Welcome dinner
Key Species:
2
Kotu Creek, Rice Fields & Gunjur-Kartong Wetlands
Today’s birding adventure begins with a short drive to Kotu Creek, where we will spend a couple of hours exploring the Nature Trail, rice paddies, cycle track, and nearby golf course. A one-hour boat trip along the creek provides excellent opportunities for observing waterbirds and kingfishers up close. Later, we continue along the South Gambia Road toward Gunjur Forest and Kartong Wetlands, approximately 47 km from the coast. Along the way, the diverse habitats offer chances to spot species such as Lizard Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, African Golden Oriole, Osprey, Palm-nut Vulture, Capuchin Babbler, Green Hylia, Greater Painted Snipe, Grey-headed Kingfisher, and White-fronted Plover. Waders and waterbirds are plentiful along the beaches, waterholes, scrubs, and reedbeds, making this a rich day for both birding and photography.
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3
Upcountry Journey to Morgan Kunda Lodge
After breakfast, we begin an early morning journey upcountry from the South, driving approximately 160 km toward the North Bank via Soma and Farafenyi Town, crossing the Senegambia Bridge to reach our overnight stop at Morgan Kunda Lodge. Although it will be a long day of travel, frequent stops along the route allow for excellent birding opportunities. Key stops include Mandinaba Rice Fields, Farasutu and Pirang Forest, Kampanti Rice Fields, Bamakuno Forest, and Kiang West Lower River Region. These diverse habitats are ideal for spotting raptors, owls, forest specialists, and savannah species. Expected sightings along the way include Long-crested Eagle, Greyish Eagle-Owl, African Goshawk, Pygmy Kingfisher, African Scops Owl, Northern White-faced Scops Owl, White-spotted Flufftail, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Bateleur Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bronze-winged Courser, Yellow Penduline Tit, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and many more.
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4
Crossing into Senegal & Koalack Birding
After an early breakfast, we begin the day with a short drive to the Senegal border, where the visa process typically takes about 30 minutes. From there, we continue approximately 95 km to Koalack for our overnight stay. Along the way, we will make several strategic birding stops, including a visit to the Island of Kausemar, famous for its spectacular roosting site of Swallow-tailed Kites, often seen in tens of thousands. This area also hosts a variety of other remarkable species, including Black-bellied, White-bellied, and Savel’s Bustards, Sudan Golden Sparrow, Little Green Bee-eater, and occasionally, a surprise sighting of Jackal-spotting Hyena. This day offers a combination of dramatic landscapes, large raptor congregations, and unique West African bird species, making it one of the most memorable highlights of the expedition.
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5
Senegal Adventure – Saint-Louis & Parc de Djoud
Senegal, 18 times larger than The Gambia, offers vast and diverse habitats, requiring longer drives between key birding sites to reach the most rewarding locations. Today, we travel further north, first heading to Saint-Louis, a sprawling historic city, before continuing to Parc de Djoud for our overnight stay. Along the way, we will make strategic stops at Richard Toll, Tip, Touba, Gosas, Roso, and other important birding locations. These habitats range from savannah and wetlands to floodplains and riverine forests, offering sightings of both rare and widespread West African species. Expected birds include Black Scrub Robin, Green-winged Pytilia, Cricket Warbler, Stone Curlew, Sennar Penduline Tit, Cream-colored Courser, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, River Prinia, Arabian Bustard, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Black-crowned Crane, and Zebra Waxbill.
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6
Extended Exploration at Parc de Djoud
We spend a second night at Parc de Djoud, allowing us a full day to explore more of the park’s key birding hotspots. This extended stay provides the opportunity to access remote areas that are often overlooked, increasing the likelihood of spotting rare and localized species. Throughout the day, we will visit various habitats within the park, from wetlands and floodplains to savannah and woodland edges. The combination of diverse environments ensures a rich and productive birding experience, while also offering chances to observe other wildlife such as monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, and small mammals. This extra day maximizes both bird sightings and photographic opportunities in one of Senegal’s premier birding destinations.
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7
Northern Senegal – Podor Birding Expedition
After an early breakfast, we set out for Podor, located in northern Senegal near the Mauritania border, a region renowned for its specialist and localized bird species. This area has long been known to host birds such as the Golden Nightjar, Cream-colored Courser, and several other rare species that are difficult to find elsewhere. The journey will be a long drive, but it will be broken up by strategic stops at key birding sites along the route, giving ample opportunities to observe and photograph a variety of species in their natural habitats. We will conclude the day with an overnight stay at a comfortable lodge near Podor, allowing for rest and preparation for the following day’s birding adventures.
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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
Saint-Louis to Kaolack – Additional Birding En Route
We begin the day with an early start from Saint-Louis, driving slowly toward Kaolack for an overnight stop. Along the way, we will focus on birding at sites that were not visited earlier, maximizing the chance to add new species to our list. Given the vast size of Senegal, it is not possible to cover every site on the first pass, so this return journey provides an excellent opportunity to access additional habitats and observe species that may have been missed. This day combines travel with productive birding, ensuring that our checklist continues to grow as we head toward Kaolack for the night.
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10
The Gambia – Farafenyi & North Bank Birding
On our final morning in Senegal, we depart after breakfast, heading for the border at Farafenyi and continuing into the North Bank region of The Gambia, with an overnight stay at Bansang Riverside Lodge on the South Bank. It will be another long day of travel, but with frequent birding stops along the way. Highlights include the Farafenyi Wetlands and surrounding rice fields, where we hope to spot Black Crown Cranes, Red-necked Falcon, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Spotted Thick-knee, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Sahel and Exclamatory Paradise Whydahs, African Hawk Eagle, and many more.
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11
Kunkilling Forest & Tendaba Camp Excursion
After breakfast at Bansang Riverside Lodge, we embark on a boat trip along the River Gambia, followed by a forest walk in Kunkilling Forest before leaving the island. This lush forest is home to a variety of species, including Adamawa Turtle Dove, Martial Eagle, Stone Partridge, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, White-crested Helmet Shrike, African Paradise Flycatcher, as well as mammals like baboons, Red Colobus Monkeys, and Green Velvet Monkeys. On the journey to Tendaba Camp for our overnight stay, we will make several stops at Kundang Wetlands and rice fields. These habitats provide excellent opportunities to spot species such as Black Coucal, African Pygmy Goose, Sacred and Glossy Ibis, Carmine Bee-eater, Sedge Warbler, Aquatic Warbler, Red-throated Bee-eater, and many more. This combination of river, forest, and wetland birding ensures a productive and diverse day of wildlife observation.
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12
River Gambia Boat Trip & Return to the Coast
On our final day, after an early breakfast, we will embark on a rewarding boat trip along the River Gambia’s creeks at Kissi and Tunku Belongs. This peaceful ride offers close encounters with water-associated species and rare forest-edge birds. Key sightings may include the White-backed Night Heron, Pel’s Fishing Owl, and the elusive African Finfoot. After our successful boat excursion, we will check out and begin our journey back to the coast. Along the way, we’ll bird through Kiang West National Park, Bateling Track, and Lower Kiang Interior Road, where dry woodland, scrub, and open savannah provide opportunities to see a completely different suite of species. This final stretch allows us to add more raptors, woodpeckers, and savannah specialists to our trip list. By evening, we will arrive back at the hotel on the coast, marking the conclusion of our 12-day birding expedition through The Gambia and Senegal—a journey filled with unforgettable sightings, diverse habitats, and lasting memories.
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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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