Hello! Welcome. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Ansuman Drammeh, also known as Best Boy. I am a professional birdwatching guide. I grew up with binoculars hanging from my neck and I have been guiding birders since year 2000. I am a member of the Bird Guides Association of Gambia as well as the Gambia Birdwatching Association. You can find me at the Lemon Creek resort near Serrekunda. If you like to make a reservation you can reach me at +220 6809110 or ansudrammeh10@yahoo.com.
You may find more info about me at my website.
You may find me on facebook as well: Birding in The Gambia with Ansuman Drammeh and on TripAdvisor.

I can arrange trips to any bird site in The Gambia and help you to find all the birds you wish to see. All trips include transport, entrance fees to the protected areas and Best Boy services. I can pick you up from your hotel at any time you wish and return to the same place at the end of the day. I speak English and Mandinka, so I can help you also to discuss with local people.

But why should you travel to The Gambia for a bird watching vacation?
BIRD WATCHING IN GAMBIA
One of this most expansive and accurate testimonies on the huge variety of birds that flock to the Gambia was authored by Clive Barlow and Tim Wacher, placing the country on the world map, but also earning the author and award for "the British book of the year" from British field Guide to Birds of the numbers and types the Gambia's abundance and diversity of bird life is ranked as one of coupled with the fact the country is one of the most accessible destinations on the continent, making it favorite for bird watchers.

The Gambia provides a first class destination for any birdwatcher. From the European point of view, it has the advantage of being only a short flight away (about 5 hours). It has a very large bird list with over 550 species recorded. It is situated close to the northern limit of the tropical rain Forests and The Gambia is right in the middle of the narrow transitional zone between semi-desert and tropical rainForest. Consequently, the country's bird list includes species from both of these areas with the species to be seen varying with the onset of the rainy and dry seasons. In addition to the African endemic species, many European migrants either pass through The Gambia or spend the winter here, so it is easy to see why the bird list is so large. Because of the proximity of the rain Forest in the south and the desert in the north, there is always the chance of spotting something unusual that has overshot on migration, or on a food-finding trip.

The climate is very pleasant, although it can be perhaps a little bit hot inland in the period just before and just after the annual summer rains. However, for many, the big attraction about birding in The Gambia is the attitude of the local population that is friendly and for the most part, very helpful.

Sure, you can go birding in The Gambia on your own. But a good guide will be always a great help, especially if you are looking for a particular bird and you spend your valuable time searching for the best sites instead of birdwatching, which is after all, what you are thinking of visiting The Gambia for, isn't it?

I can offer you:

• a two days tour to the village of Tendaba,,
• a three days tour to the east coast,
• 4 seven days bird watching round tours,
• a nine days tour, a
• a ten days tour, even a
• a fourteen days tours
and, of course, the following 12 one day tours:

One Day Tour #1: FARABA-BANTA BUSH TRACK
The 10 km long sandy bush track, which connects the Banjul Bassett road at Faraba Banta with Madina Ba-Seleti road at Faraba Banta, runs through wide variety of habitats including cultivated parkland savannah wood-look of the Finto Manereg Forest Park . The track is used only by the occasional Ox-cart and passes through an impressive peaceful and unspoiled area country side. It is also a marvelous place to see raptor a martial Eagle and perhaps a Brown snake eagle or Gabar goshawk like Kabafita. The Finto Manereg Forest Park is not officially open to visitors, but the bush track runs along the very edge for some distance. We have some chances of seeing a few scarce residents such as yellow white eye and black-faced Firefinch especially from November onwards. The whole stretch between here and the beginning of the Forest park is especially good for raptors. There are shady intervals along the track where stops can be made.
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One Day Tour #2: KARTONG SAD MINE
The Kartong Sad Mine is located just to the south of Boboi Beach Lodge. The sand mines have great future potential to attract birdwatchers from all over the world. After the sand is excavated holes are left which are filled-up naturally with rain and ground water. Over time vegetation has established itself around the edges of these huge artificially formed pools. As they are some of the only fresh water pools in the area a very rich avi-fauna has grown up around them. Along with the coastal scrub, which is also very rich in bird life, this area is rapidly becoming important for birdwatchers who wish to add new species to their life lists. The growing bird lists for this area include Greater painted-snipe, Black-tailed godwit, Black-winged stilt, Purple swamp hen, Black crake, Super-winged goose, Eurasian spoonbill, Sacred ibis, Tree pipit, and the Northern carmine bee-eater.
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One Day Tour #3: PIRANG FOREST NATIONAL PARK
The main claim to fame of Pirang Forest National Park must be its flock of black crowned-cranes which regularly rest in mangroves beyond the village. Brown-necked parrots nest here about the nearest point to the coast where they are likely to be seen. The area also attracts a good variety of raptors. The scan-Gambia shrimp-farm occupies large area to the north-east the of the village. Up until now it has attracted a good number of birds. Apart from the extensive area of mangroves bordering the creek, there are rice fields, oil palms, and open areas with scattered acacias and other trees.
The variety of habitats makes as extended visit worthwhile. This are is especially good for Hirundines, with Red-remped swallow, Pied-winged swallow, Red-chested swallow, Mosque swallow, Wire-tailed swallow, all being regular visitors while Gull-billed and Terns often circle over the shrimp ponds. On the skyline beyond the shrimp farm, tall trees on the edge of a wooded area provide perches for raptors such as Osprey and Palm-nut vulture, while Flocks pink-back pelicans often circle in the sky overhead. The prominent tree which often provides a good view of Black crowned-cranes should be clearly visible from here and usually provides a roost for Black-headed herons as well while the fields to the right may reveal Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Crested lark, Plain-backed pipit, Cut-throat and Quail finch, especially after the crops have been cleared in December. The surrounding trees several species of species raptor including Stort-toed eagle, Dark chanting goshawk, Long-chested eagle, Lizard, Buzzard and Shikra, and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #4: KIANG WEST NATIONAL PARK
Kiang West National Park is the foremost wildlife reserve in the Gambia. It is composed mainly of Guinea savannah and woodland and is an excellent place for hiking. The escarpment running through the park provides beautiful views. Kiang West boasts over 300 species of bird. Warthog, Bushbuck Guninea nation, Senegal bushbaby marsh mongoose roan antelope and manatees also Reid in the park. tour and available can stay at nearby. One outstanding feature is close to and overlooking the park is rich and varied but it takes some effort to see it. The most easily seen species are of course the birds.
In Total over 300 species Bird have been recorded within the area which is a pretty impressive total and Gambia Bird lest. Twenty two species of raptor here are few examples of the birds you many hope fully see Bateleur eagle, Brown snake Eagle, western banded snake, scimtabill, Red-winged pytiia, White-shouldered back tut, martial Eagle, Geen-winged pytilia, Wahiberg's eagle, Tawny eagle, and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #5: KOTU CREEK
Kotu Creek is in reality a series of open sewage pits. The pits are separated from the road by about 50 meters of open woodland and can be reached along a sandy track. The range of birds seen at the pond is amazing and they will all allow you to get fairly close to them. Some of the species that can be seen here are Ruddy turnstone, Common redshank, Common ringed plover, Senegal thick-knee, Black-winged still, Whimbrel, Common greenshank, Marsh sandpiper spotted redshank, Common sandpiper, Wood sandpiper, Wire-tailed swallow, Pied-winged swallow, and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #6: GEORGETOWN
Janjanbureh was formerly known as GeorgeTown and is located on a large island in the River Gambia. The island and surrounding area is perhaps the most popular place for birdwatchers to stay when they are travelling up country. Some of the species which may be encountered include Verreaux's eagle owl, Shining-blue kingfisher, White-faced scops owl, Spotted thick-knee, African scops owl, Western marsh harrier, African white-backed vulture, African fish eagle, Knob-billed duck, Haddada ibis, and Spur-winged goose.
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One Day Tour #7: BRUFUT WOODLAND
Brufut Woodland has long been a favorite place for birdwatchers though it does tend to be ignored in a lot of birding literature. It is quite an open area of woodland where it is easy to observe birds and holds a good selection of birds including Verreaux' s eagle owl, African golden Oriole, Fanti saw-wing swallow, Cardinal woodpecker, Bearded barbet, Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Violet turaco, Klaas's cuckoo, Northern white-faced owl, Long-tailed nightjar, Yellow-throated leaflove, Yellow white-eye, Copper sunbird and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #8: BOA BOLONG Wetland RESERVE
Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve is the largest of the six protected areas in The Gambia covering approximately 220 square kilometres. Just west of Illiasa the Bao Bolong itself passes under the road. Here you can see a vast valley filled with salt marsh which is a haven for water and other birds. In Boa Bolong Wetland birds can see including Egyptian goose, African spoobill, Glossy ibis, Yellow-billed stork, Super-winged goose, Sacred ibis, African pygmy goose, African fish eagle, White-headed vulture, Mottled spinetail and Sahel paradise whydah and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #9: FAJARA GOLF COURSE
The Fajara golf course occupies an elevated position with a steep bank on the Bungalow Beat hotel. It is an area of well-established Gingered plums and taller trees which are particularly good for birds, including Pearl-spotted owlet, Green wood-hoopoe, Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Northern black flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher, Scarlet-chested sunbird, Yellow-crowned gonolek, Variable sunbird, Tawny-flanked prinia, Splendid sunbird as well as a variety of bee-eaters, Cattle egrets and Black-headed plovers as common on the fairways, and there are clumps and Rews of mixture of trees including palms which attract Hornbill, Woodpecker, Purple glossy starling while Palm swifts and Swallow-tailed bee-eaters many often be see circling above. There are good views of Kotu Creek from the South side, and the two areas can be combined in one birdwatching TOUR.
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One Day Tour #10: ABUKO NATURE RESERVE
The Abuko Nature Reserve was established in 1968 as the Gambia first protected area to the country's plants and animals. The pools in the reserve hold a substantial population of Nile crocodiles and attract a wide variety of birds mammals and reptiles. The education center overlooks the pool and gives an interpretation of the ecology and natural history of the park.
Abuko is home to more than 270 species of birds, including the Green turaco, Kingfisher, Little greenbul and Red-belled paradise flycatcher. Mammals in the reserve include bushbuck Maxwells duiker, Gambian red legged sun squirrel and Crested porcupine. The park and sever species of snakes and visitors will also encounter colorful Butterflies and Dragonflies. The animal orphanage hosts spotted Hyenas, Baboons, Parrots turtles and three species of Monkeys.
There are also several photo hides along the trail which provide excellent conditions for spotting wildlife. However not all of the Reserve is gallery Forest and as you travel away from the banks of the stream the Forest gradually thins out as the ground becomes much drier eventually changing into Guinea savannah. Changing this habitat is not as rare as the gallery Forest it is still and excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife. Birds to be found here include Western bluebill, Giant kingfisher, Blue-spotted wood dove, Pygmy kingfisher, Yellowbill, Violet turaco, Green turaco, Ahanta francolin, Green hylia, Yellow breasted apalis, Green combec, Collared sunbird, Green-headed sunbird, Bristlebill, Buff-spotted woodpecker, Kaas's cuckoo, African cuckoo, African Goshawk and many more to see.
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One Day Tour #11: CYCLE TRACK
This is another famous birding site which has an amazing array of birds along its length and has provided many thousands of birders with new species for their life lest. These include African silverbill, Woodland kingfisher, Northern puffback, Northern black flycatcher, and Copper sunbird. Round to the left and soon joins another track which runs alongside a wet depression fringed by swamp date Palms and couple of fair-sized Acacias. A narrow path leads to the other side where an area of raised ground provides a convenient viewpoint. The depression and the scrub around provide an interesting and productive birding area with regular appearances of Bearded barbet, Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Grey woodpecker, Nightingale, Singing cisticola, Oriole warbler, Orange cheeked waxbill and Black-necked weaver. The site borders are an extensive area of Gingerbread Plum which lies between the cycle track and the sea and which is crossed by a network of paths which eventually lead to the back of the Palma Rima. The Woodland kingfisher and Little bee-eat Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Yellow-crowned gonolek, Black-crowned tchagra, Northern crombec, Northern black flycatcher and African silverbill are all commonly seen here while African Harrier-hawk and Lizard buzzard are the most likely raptors. Dusk brings a good chance of both especially near the dunes which fringe the shore.
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One Day Tour #12: TANJI BIRD RESERVE
The Tanji Bird Reserve is made up of the Tanji rivers tarry and the Bijilo islands. It is located a short dive away from the tourist development area making it a perfect day TOUR for nature important bird esting site for terns and gulls amd is home to more 250 species of birds including several European migrants and 34 types of raprors. Vistors to Tanji may also see the Western red colobus callithrix and Patas monkeys as well as Budhbuck porcupines and the rare Mediterranean monk seal.
On moonless nights from May to July Green sea turtles come to the island to dig nests for their eggs. The Tanji bird reserve established by professional ornithologist Clive Barlow consists largely of fairly open areas with stands of Gingerbread plum and other small trees and a wide variety of other habitats including Acacia, an area of young Rhun palms a shallow laker (which dries up rapidly after the end of the rainy season) and a sizable wooded area containing mature trees which harbor Violet turacos and other species. The Green Crombec is a species only recently added the to the Gambia list. At the main access point ignore the wide track off the right and follow a narrower path which leads down a steep slope between dense bushes and trees where African pygmg kingfisher, Sulphur- breasted bush shrikes and African, Golden oriole many sometimes be seen.
The path leads down to an area dotted with widely separated clumps of Ginger bresd plums and other small trees, where Swallow-tailed bee-eaters, Northern black-flycatchers and several species of Sunbird occur with the Kingfisher or a Black scimitarbill. A well-defined track edge of the mature wooded area which occupies a low ridge and is a haunt of Osprey and palm-nut vulture as well the magnificent Violet turaco with the bushes below may provide a Northern puffback or in the track continues through a small group of oil palms and winds its way toward a large and pictures qure boobob tree from which point it runs downhill towards sizeable opern.
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Two Days Tour: BIRD WATCHING TENDABA
The village of Tendaba lies just about the border between the lower middle River regions. The surrounding area offers opportunity to see several species not found near to the coastal. The rice fields bordering the Gambia River west of the village usually have a good variety of water birds particularly early in the season while the area around the airfield holds Bruce's Green pigeon, Abyssionian Ground Hornbill and Yellow crowned bishop with African fish eagle possible anywhere in the area. The creeks on the opposite bank of the river are particularly interesting. Goiliath heroin is common and there are regular sightings of Blue flycatcher mouse, Brown sunbird and the Skulking and elusive African finfoot , while African swallow-tailed kit may sometimes be seen. The village is styled on the South bank of the river Gambia about 135 km from Serekunda, it lies at the end of a laterite road about 6km from the junction with the main highway at Kwinella.
This tour takes two days staying overnight at the Tendaba Bush Camp. If this is all the time you want to spend there, such trips are a convenient alternative to independent travel although several good birding sites on the way will be missed in places and restricts visibility, but after December the grass has open. At a fork in the path bear right towards the mangroves to reach the edge of the mud, which is much more open. At a fork in the mangroves, to reach the edge of mud, which is dry and firm even in October. There are good views across the river field to the high mangroves Forest beyond with good of Wolly-necked stork, Sacred ibis and Blue-breasted kingfisher as well as the Commoner and usually has several species of Sunbird, Warblers and Estrildine weavers, including Black-rumped waxbill, Bateleur eagle, Red-winged pytilia, Long-crested eagle, western marsh Harrier, Yellow-billed stork, Sarcred ibis, and many to more to see.
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Three Days tour: EAST COAST, BIRDING OR PHOTOGRAPHING TOUR
This 3 days itinerary focuses on the Gambia's east coast where some of the best forest birding await us. The tour will take in Abuko Nature Reserve , Bonto, and Farasutu Forest . Together these remnant coastal patches are home to Gambia's rarest and highly desired forest specialities such as the shy and secretive White Spotted Fluff Tail. African Wood Owl, Yellow bill, alongside Verreaux's Eagle Owl. Western Bluebill, African Goshawk, Spotted Honey Guide, Buff Spotted Woodpecker Green Crombec, and Green Headed Sunbird. We will also visit hotspot including Marakissa Woods and Lamin Rice Fields, these sites are excellent for a variety of water birds, waders and Raptors.

Itinerary

• Day 1
  This morning, after an early pick up from your Hotel, we'll heading to Farasutu Forest Reserve where we'll begin the day around the farmland, scrub and forest margins. we'll look for Four Banded Sand Grouse, Rufous Crowned Roller, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Shouldered Kite, Black Rumped Waxbill, Variable Sunbird, Woodchat Shrike, Bearded Barbet, Grayish Eagle Owl, Both Long Tailed and Standard Winged Nightjar, and Western Bonelli Warbler, we'll go inside the forest in search of several species including Grey headed Bristle bill, African Wood Owl, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Violet Turaco, African Goshawk and Little Greybull, as the day warms up we'll stay by pool, where we may see Western Bluebill, Orange Checked Waxbill, Spotted and Lesser Honey Guides, Green Headed Sunbird and many more.
  We'll enjoy lunch at SitaJoy Lodge and later explore the Creek and Mudflat for Yellow Billed Stork, Goliath Heron, and Pink Backed Pelican before heading to Pirang-Bonto Forest National Park , where we may spot several savannah and forest species such as the very elusive White spotted Fluff tail, Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Green Crombec, Yellow breasted Apalis, collared sunbird, along with African Golden Oriole, African Hobby, Klaa's Cuckoo among others.
• Day 2
  An early start will see us heading to Marakissa Woodland where we'll explore the scrub, Woodland Rice and River Allahein in search of African Pied Hornbill, African Green Pigeon, White Crested Helmet Shrike, Oriole Warbler, African Scops Owl, White Breasted Cuckoo Shrike, Yellow Throated Leaf love, Lanner Falcon, Long Crested Eagle Black Crake, Giant Kingfisher, and Western Reef Heron, After eating, we'll visit the Dasilami Wetland and look for wader such as Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Redshank, as well as Gull bill Tern and Sandwich Tern, African Harrier Hawk, Shikra, and Dark Chanting Goshawk are also regularly seen.


• Day 3
  Today, we'll be birding at the famous Abuko Nature Reserve
  and Lamin Rice Fields. The day will start at the Abuko Nature Reserve where we'll enjoy a full morning seeking out for both forest , savannah and Wetland species and our long day list may include, Snowy Crowned Robin Chat, Grey Backed Camaroptera, Grey Headed Bristle bill, Western Bluebill, Violet and Green Crested Turaco, Palm nut Vulture, Fanti Saw wing Swallow, Broad Billed Roller, Red Bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Pygmy Kingfisher, and many more.
  After Lunch at Lamin Lodge , we'll visit the Lamin Rice fields, and search for long Tailed Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Black Crake, Blue Bellied Roller, Common Redstart, Green Sandpiper, Greater Painted Snipe, White Crowned Robin Chat, Green Wood Hoopoe, Grey Woodpecker, and Western Grey Plantain Eater: it's sure to be an exciting three days birding.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions
Transport, guide, Park fees, lunch, and free bottled water.

Exclusions
Hotel and soft drinks.

Tour availability
All year round.

Group size

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SEVEN DAYS BIRD WATCHING ROUND TOURS
I can offer you several seven days bird watching round trip as well. Here are the programs:

Seven Days Tour #1: A seven days tour

• Day 1
  I will pick you up from the Airport and bring you to the Lemon Creek hotel.
• Day 2
  I will pick you up at 6:30 at your hotel and we leave for GeorgeTown. On the way we stop for a bird watch at Boa Bolong Camp where we also stay for the night.
• Day 3
  We have breakfast at 7:00 and then do a birding boat trip. Thereafter we drive to Tendaba Bush Camp. On the way we have different stops at birding areas.
  We stay overnight in the Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 4
  We have breakfast at 7:00 and leave for Kiang West National park. From there we drive back to the Lemon Creek hotel. On the way back we have several stops at birding areas.
  We stay overnight in the Lemon Creek hotel.
• Day 5
  I will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 for a visit to the Brufut Woodland and Tanji Bird Reserve.
• Day 6
  I will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 for a visit to the Pirang Shrimp Farm, Mandinba Wetland and Farasutu Forest .
• Day 7
  Our last day. I will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the Airport.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions

Exclusions

Tour availability

Group size

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Seven Days Tour #2: A seven days itinerary for inland The Gambia
This itinerary has been designed to visit most of the key sites in Gambia with 3 overnights in coastal hotels and 3 overnights at inland lodges.

• Day 1
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel. We will visit Kotu sewage ponds and have lunch at Sailors restaurant. In the afternoon we do birding and visit the Cape Point area. We may find the White-faced Whistling Duck, African Jacana, Black-winged stilt, Blue-bellied and Abyssinian Roller, Greater Painted-snipe, Sacred Ibis, Giant, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers.
  We stay overnight in a coastal hotel.
• Day 2
  After breakfast we will visit the Abuko Nature Reserve and have lunch at Lamin Lodge .
  In the afternoon we will do birding in the Lamin Rice Field where we may find Ahanta Francolin, Western Bluebill, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Green Hylia, Collared Sunbird, flycatchers and apalis.
  We stay overnight in a coastal hotel.


• Day 3
  We take the ferry to cross the Gambia River from Banjul to Barra. With a packed lunch and drive towards GeorgeTown (also known as Janjanbureh). We make stops at the Berending Forest for the Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike; peanut fields for Coursers, Bustards and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse; Kaur Wetland for Egyptian, White- crowned and Kittlitz’s Plover and the Panchchang Wetland for snipes and the Pygmy Goose.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Annex/ Boa Bolong Camp (hotel review) at GeorgeTown.
• Day 4
  After breakfast we make a boat trip around the island for Western Banded and Brown Snake Eagles, African Finfoot, Turtle Dove and Shining-blue Kingfisher. Thereafter we drive via the south bank road to Tendaba, with stops at Fula Bantang for Marabou Stork; Jahally Rice Fields for Black Coucal, Pygmy Goose and snipes.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 5
  After breakfast we make another boat trip in the species rich Tendaba creek for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron, African Scops Owl and many more.
  Thereafter we drive through the Kiang West National park with a packed lunch on board, looking for the Bataleur, Brown Snake Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard and the Brown-rumped Bunting.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Berefet Lodge.
• Day 6
  We have an early morning boat trip for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-crested Tiger Heron and return back to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we drive back towards the coast stopping at key sites on the route. We take a packed lunch on board.
  We will overnight in a coastal hotel.


• Day 7
  We will visit the Brufut Woodland followed by a lunch at Paradise Beach bar. In the afternoon we do birding in the Tanji Bird Reserve. There we may find Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, White-faced Scops Owl, Yellowbill Coucal.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions

Exclusions

Tour availability

Group size

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Seven Days Tour #3: Staying in coastal hotels with one day trips
This itinerary has been designed for those who wish primarily to stay in coastal hotels and travel to sites that are accessible in a day trip. I have identified a number of well known birding locations which will give you access to a large species list. In addition we will visit other sites, that I have not named , which I have identified through my own research where birds more commonly seen farther inland may often be found.

• Day 1
  We start at the Kotu Sewage Ponds and have lunch at Sailors restaurant. In the afternoon we do birding in the Cape Point area where we may find the Greater Painted Snipe, African Spoonbill, Lizard Buzzard, White-faced Whistling Duck, Sacred Ibis and Sunbirds.
• Day 2
  We start at the Abuko Nature Reserve and have lunch at Lamin Lodge.
  In the afternoon we do birding in Lamin Rice Fieldand may find the Ahanta Francolin, Western Bluebill, Green and Violet Turaco, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Green Hylia, Red-bellied, African and Hybrid Flycatchers, Giant Kingfisher.
• Day 3
  We drive via the South bank to Tendaba with pack lunch on board. We make stops at Farasutu Community Reserve, Bulock Forest, Kampant raptor bridge and Tendaba Airfield. We may find the African Hawk Eagle, Black-faced Firefinch, Long-crested Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, Senegal Batis, Green Pigeon, orioles and warblers.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 4
  After breakfast we make a boat trip in the species rich Tendaba creek for birds like the Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron, Goliath Heron and African Scops Owl. Thereafter we drive through the Kiang West National park with a packed lunch on board towards the coast with stops on the way for raptors such as Bataleur, Martial Eagle and Grasshopper Buzzard.


• Day 5
  We start with a visit to the Brufut Woodland and will have lunch at Paradise Beach bar. In the afternoon we do birding in the Tanji Bird Reserve where we may observe the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, White-faced Scops Owl, Yellowbill Coucal, Long-tailed Nightjar.
• Day 6
  We drive to the Pirang Shrimp Farm with a packed lunch on board. Here we may find the Black Crowned Crane, White and Pink-backed Pelican, African and Eurasian Spoonbill and storks.
  In the afternoon we do birding in Pirang Forest and Woods for the Wood Owl, African Goshawk, Brown-necked Parrot and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
• Day 7
  This last day we drive to the Sallah Forest . We will have lunch at The Marakissa River Camp .
  In the afternoon we do birding in the Karakissa area to see the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Tawny Eagle, Plain-backed Pipit, White-faced Owl, flycatchers, honeyguides, orioles and warblers.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions

Exclusions

Tour availability

Group size

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Seven Days tour #4: Best of Gambia, birdwatching and bird photographing tour guide
This 7 days comprehensive tour will cover all the best birding areas the Gambia has to offer and more than half of the 560 bird species listed for the country can be seen during this rewarding 7 days tour. The birding highlight includes many eagerly sought after birds such as the exquisitely beautiful Egyptian Plover, African Fin foot, Northern Carmine Bee Eater, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Shining Blue Kingfisher, White Backed Night Heron, alongside White Spotted Fluff Tail, Black Crowned Crane, Goliath Heron, and the huge impressive Martial Eagle.4

Itinerary

• Day 1 Tour begins at the Airport where your guide meet with you and transfer to your Hotels, and if time allows, will do a short introductory birding around the Hotels.
• Day 2
  Pick up from your coastal hotel at 7:30
  Abuko Nature Reserve
  This was the first area to be given protection in The Gambia purely to conserve its wildlife. This habitat is now one of the rarest in The Gambia and is extremely rich in biodiversity with many thousands of species of fungi, plants, trees, insects and invertebrates living in and beneath its tall leafy canopy. However, not all of the Reserve is gallery forest and as you travel away from the banks of the stream the forest gradually thins out as the ground becomes much drier eventually changing into Guinea Savannah. Although this habitat is not as rare as the gallery forest it is still and excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife. Birds to be found here include Western Bluebill, Giant Kingfisher, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellowbill Coucal, Violet Turaco, Green Turaco, Ahanta Francolin, Green Hylia, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Green Crombec, Collared Sunbird, White-crested Helmet Shrike, Grey-headed Bristlebill, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, White-crowned Robin-chat.
  Kotu Sewage Ponds
  In reality Kotu Pond is a series of open sewage pits. The pits are separated from the road by about 50 metres of open woodland and can be reached along a sandy track. The range of birds seen at the pond is amazing and they will all allow you to get fairly close to them. Some of the species that can be seen here are Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Great Painted Snipe, African Jacana, White-faced Whistling Duck, Little Grebe, Ring Plover and Curlew Sandpiper to mention but a few.
  Overnight in coastal hotel.
• Day 3
  Pick up from your coastal hotel by 6:30
  GeorgeTown or Janjangbureh
  Janjangbureh was formerly known as Georgetown and is located on a large island in the River Gambia. The island and surrounding area is perhaps the most popular place for birdwatchers to stay when they are travelling up country. Some of the species which may be encountered include Verreauxs Eagle Owl, White-faced Scops Owl, African Scops Owl, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Little Green Bee-eater, Square-tailed Drongo, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Swamp Flycatcher, Wilsons Indigobird, Spotted Thick-knee, African Finfoot, Common Snipe, African Fish Eagle, Knob-billed Duck and Garganey.
  River Gambia National Park ,
  also known as Baboon Islands, is a stunning natural reserve located in the Central River Division of Gambia. Established in 1978, the park spans an area of 585 hectares and comprises five islands featuring gallery forests, open swampy areas, and savannah landscapes.
  Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project: A conservation organization that protects and rehabilitates chimpanzees rescued from illegal trading, with around 50 chimpanzees living on three larger islands.
  Diverse Wildlife: The park is home to various species, including:
  • Primates: Western Red Colobus, Guinea Baboon, Green Monkey, and Patas Monkey
  • Mammals: Hippopotamus, West African Manatee, African Clawless Otter, and Warthog
  • Reptiles: Nile Crocodile, Monitor Lizards, Snakes, and Lizards
  • Birds: Over 300 species, including African Fish Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, Pelicans, and Herons
  
  Conservation Efforts
  The park plays a crucial role in preserving Gambia's natural heritage and protecting endangered species.
  The Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project works tirelessly to monitor and study the flora and fauna within the park, identifying rare and endangered species. Community involvement and education programs promote sustainable practices and eco-tourism.
  Overnight in Georgetown.
• Day 4
  The following morning, after breakfast, we have a second boat trip expect to see Spur-winged Goose, African Finfoot, White-Backed Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Western Banded Snake Eagle.
  Tendaba Bush Camp
  After the boat trip, we drive back to Tendaba Bush Camp .
  Tendaba is probably the best known and mostly frequently visited Camp in The Gambia. It is often used as a stop over point on a visit further up the country. The Camp is situated in the heart of the small village of Tendaba which is located right on the banks of the River Gambia. The accommodation at the Camp is basic but you may be lucky enough to be able to book a VIP room which has its own toilet, shower and ceiling fan. The area around the Camp is excellent for birdwatching and it is well worth a 2 or 3 day stay if you wish to take full advantage of the area. Within easy walking distance of the Camp you will find Tendaba Airfield, Tendaba Rice Fields, Tendaba-Kwinella Back Way, Bateling Bush Track and Kiang West National Park. If you wish to visit Tanku or Kissi Creek you will need to hire a boat from Tendaba to get there. It is a very prolific area for birds and some of the species you may see include Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Abyssinian Roller, Black Crowned Crane, Great Honey Guide, European Bee-eater, Brown-necked Parrot, Brubru Shrike, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Palm-nut Vulture, Pallid Harrier, African Scops Owl, Black-headed Plover, African Fish Eagle, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Black-rumped Waxbill, Indigo Bird, Spotted Eagle Owl, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Namaqua Dove, Goliath Heron, African Finfoot, African Blue Flycatcher, White-crested Tiger Bittern, White-backed Night Heron, Mouse-brown Sunbird and Hamerkop.
  Overnight in Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 5
  The following morning, after breakfast, we have boat trips Kissi Creek. . After boat trip we walk around including photo height, Air field and Rice Fields
  Overnight Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 6
  The following morning, after breakfast, we drive back to coastal hotel on the way we have different stops, including Kiang West National Park, Kampant Rice Fields, and Killy Woodland .
  Kiang West National Park
  The Kiang West National Park is huge being some 110 square kilometres and almost all of the animal species remaining in the country may be found within it. The Park stretches along the southern bank of the River Gambia taking in some large areas of mangrove forest, creeks, salt pans and tidal flats. The majority of the protected area consists of dry woodland savannah. One outstanding feature is a laterite escarpment running close to, and overlooking, the riverbank. The wildlife of the Park is rich and varied but it does take some effort to see it. The most easily seen species are, of course, the birds. In total over 300 species of birds have been recorded within the area which is a pretty impressive total and forms over half of the entire Gambian bird list. Twenty two species of raptor alone have been recorded here. Here are a few examples of the birds you may hopefully see Bataleur Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, White-headed Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Common Quail, Quail Plover, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Lanner Falcon, African Hobby, Bronze-winged Courser, Temmincks Courser, Black-bellied Bustard, Collared Pratincole, Brown-necked Parrot, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Wood Hoopoe, European Hoopoe, White-shouldered Black Tit, African Cuckoo, Yellow White Eye, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Senegal Batis, Bruces Green Pigeon, Broad-billed Roller, Plain-backed Pipit, Red-chested Swallow, Mosque Swallow, Pygmy Sunbird, Splendid Glossy Starling, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Violet-backed Starling.
  Overnight in coastal hotel.
• Day 7
  Our final morning will be spent at Brufut Woodland , we’ll enjoy couple of hours birding before departing to the Airport and staying by for the height area we may see African Pygmy Kingfisher, Green Turaco, Greater Honeyguide, Lavender Waxbill, Red-Cheeked Cordon-blue.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions
Six night accommodation in a mid-range Coastal hotel/ inland lodges, Transport (AC Vehicle) airport transfers, guide, all meals,( picnic lunches) park fees, boat trips and free bottled water during the day tour.

Exclusions
Flight, Soft, and alcoholic drinks, as well as items of personal nature.

Tour availability
All year round. Small group/private tour options are available on request for your preferred travel dates. Please contact us for schedule dates and availability if you are interested in joining any of our group

Group size

[Back to above]

NINE DAYS BIRD WATCHING ROUND TOUR

• Day 1
  I will pick you up from your costal hotel by 7:00.
  Abuko Nature Reserve and Lamin Rice Field.
  This was the first area to be given protection in The Gambia purely to conserve its wildlife. This habitat is now one of the rarest in The Gambia and is extremely rich in biodiversity with many thousands of species of fungi, plants, trees, insects and invertebrates living in and beneath its tall leafy canopy. However, not all of the Reserve is gallery Forest and as you travel away from the banks of the stream the Forest gradually thins out as the ground becomes much drier eventually changing into Guinea Savannah. Although this habitat is not as rare as the gallery Forest it is still and excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife. Birds to be found here include Western Bluebill, Giant Kingfisher, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellowbill Coucal, Violet Turaco, Green Turaco, Ahanta Francolin, Green Hylia, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Green Crombec, Collared Sunbird, White-crested Helmet Shrike, Grey-headed Bristlebill, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, White-crowned.
• Day 2
  I will pick you up from your costal hotel by 7:00.
  Kartong Wetlands
  The Kartong Wetlands are located just to the south of Boboi Beach Lodge. The sand mines have great future potential to attract birdwatchers from all over the world. After the sand is excavated holes are left which are allowed to fill up naturally with rain and ground water. Over time vegetation has established itself around the edges of these huge artificially formed pools. As they are some of the only fresh water pools in the area a very rich avi-fauna has grown up around them. Along with the coastal scrub, which is also very rich in bird life, this area is rapidly becoming important for birdwatchers who wish to add new species to their life lists. The growing bird lists for this area include European Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Great Snipe, African Painted Snipe, Wryneck, Western Bluebill, Baillons Crake and Little Crake. This list is not exhaustive!.
  Tanji Bird Reserve
  This is in an area known locally as Karinti. It is an officially protected area of The Gambia and is only about 5 minutes drive from the Kotu Bridge area. The reserve is just over 6 square kilometres and encompasses a wide range of different habitat types from beach, tidal lagoons, mangrove swamp, Coastal scrub and dry Savannah woodland. The Reserve also protects Bijilo Island which is The Gambia's only offshore island lying about 1.5 kilometres from the coast. Some of the species that you may encounter here include White-fronted Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Kelp Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Four-banded Sandgrouse, African Green Pigeon, Osprey, Oriole Warbler, Pomarine Skua, Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike and Giant Kingfisher amongst others.
• Day 3
  Early day! I will picked you up from your coastal hotel by 6:30.
  GeorgeTown in the morning
  We cross the Gambia River with the ferry from Banjul to Barra with a packed lunch and drive towards GeorgeTown. We make stops at the Berending Forest for the Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike; peanut fields for coursers, Bustards and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse; Kaur Wetland for Egyptian, White- crowned and Kittlitz’s Plover and Panchchang Wetland for snipes and Pygmy Goose.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Annex/ Boa Bolong Camp (hotel review) at GeorgeTown.


• Day 4
  After breakfast ...
  Boat trip around the island
  After breakfast we make a boat trip around the island for the Western Banded and Brown Snake Eagles, African Finfoot, Turtle Dove and Shining-blue Kingfisher. Thereafter we drive via the south bank road to Tendaba, with stops at Fula Bantang for Marabou Stork; Jahally Rice Fields for the Black Coucal, Pygmy Goose and snipes.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight in the Tendaba Bush Camp.


• Day 5After breakfast ...
  Boat trip in the Tendaba creek
  After breakfast we make another boat trip in the species rich Tendaba creek for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron, African Scops Owl and many more. Thereafter we drive through the Kiang West National park back to your coastal hotel. On the way we have different stop like Bintang Bolong, Kampanit Rice Field and the Bullock community.
  You will have a overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 6
  I will pick you up from your costal hotel by 7:00.
  Marakissa
  This is a small village located just 5 kilometres south of Brikama and 6 kilometres from the border with Senegal.
  The Marakissa River Camp is equipped with round huts with toilets, comfortable beds and a small restaurant and is a good place to "chill out" and see birds in comfort. You can also hire canoes to go on trips up the river from the Camp. There are a number of different habitats nearby such as woodlands, rice fields, swamp, scrub and ponds and so some of the birds which may be seen here include Spotted Honeyguide, Greater Honeyguide, Cardinal Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Long Claw, African Golden Oriole, Square-tailed Drongo, White-breasted Cuckoo Shrike, Leaflove, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Oriole Warbler, Green Crombec, Blackcap Babbler, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Black-winged Red Bishop, White-rumped Seedeater, Whistling Cisticola, Windling Cisticola, Martial Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hobby, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, Grey Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon and Grasshopper Buzzard.
• Day 7
  Again a early day! I will pick you up from your costal hotel by 6:30.
  Fathala Game Park
  The Fathala Game Park is situated on the northern coastal line, right on the edge of the Gambia and Senegal. It covers 200 hectares of land area, the habitats being coastal maritime Forest, part of which is woodland and gallery Forest. Early in the morning, many animals can be seen in this area: giraffes, five different kinds of monkeys (including the rare Mourner Monkey), giant antelopes, zebras, rhinos, buffaloes, as well as some rare birds species like the Chestnut Billied Starlings, the Western Blue Throat, the giant Bira, the Ostrich, and others.
• Day 8
  I will pick you up from your costal hotel by 7:00.
  Pirang Shrimp Farm and Farmutut Community Reserve
  The Scan-Gambia shrimp pools are located about half a kilometre to the north-east of the village of Pirang. We take the left hand fork out of the village. It is still the best, if not the only, place to see the Black-crowned Crane which roosts in the nearby mangroves. As well as the mangroves there are also rice fields, oil palms and open areas with a variety of trees. This diverse habitat makes it a worthwhile place to visit. As well as the Black-crowned Cranes there are also good numbers of spoonbills, egrets, kingfishers, waders and other water birds including Spur-winged Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Plain-backed Pipit, Osprey, Crested Lark, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, European Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Little Stint, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Sandpiper and Quail-finch. During the wet season it is also possible to see Yellow-crowned Bishops.
• Day 9
  A busy day! I will pick you up from costal hotel by 7:00.
  Brufut Woodland
  The Brufut Woodland has long been a favourite place for birwatchers though it does tend to be ignored in a lot of birding literature. It is quite an open area of woodland where it is easy to observe birds and holds a good selection of birds including Verreaux's Eagle Owl, African Golden Oriole, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Blackcap Babbler, Greater Honeyguide, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Violet Barbet, Violet Turaco, Fanti Saw-wing, Klaas's Cuckoo and many more.
  Kotu Pond
  In reality Kotu Sewage Ponds is a series of open sewage pits. The pits are separated from the road by about 50 metres of open woodland and can be reached along a sandy track. The range of birds seen at the pond is amazing and they will all allow you to get fairly close to them. Some of the species that can be seen here are Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Great Painted Snipe, African Jacana, White-faced Whistling Duck, Little Grebe, Ring Plover and Curlew Sandpiper to mention but a few.
  Fajara Golf Course
  The Faraja Golf Course is also renowned as a very good birding spot. There is a range of habitats from open area to coastal scrub and a few tangled patches of woodland. The Course also lies alongside part of the Kotu Stream which passes beneath the road at Kotu Bridge before it empties into the sea. Kotu Stream is nearly always one of the first places that birders visit in The Gambia. Birds include Blue-bellied Roller, Black-headed Plover, Greenshank, Redshank, Blue-breasted Kingfisher. Pearl-spotted Owlet, Red-billed Firefinch, Variable Sunbird, Beautiful Sunbird, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Wattled Plover, Senegal Thick-knee, Black-crowned Night Heron and many more.
  Cycle Track
  This is another famous birding site which has an amazing array of birds along its length and has provided many thousands of birders with new species for their life list. These include Standard-winged Nightjar, Long-tailed Nightjar, Pied Flycatcher, Village Indigobird, Great-spotted Cuckoo, African Silverbill, Woodland Kingfisher, Northern Black Flycatcher and Copper Sunbird.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions

Exclusions

Tour availability

Group size

[Back to above]

Ten Days tour: Best of Gambia, birdwatching and bird photographing tour guide
This 10 days comprehensive tour will cover all the best birding areas the Gambia has to offer and more than half of the 560 bird species listed for the country can be seen during this rewarding 10 days tour. The birding highlight includes many eagerly sought after birds such as the exquisitely beautiful Egyptian Plover, African Fin foot, Northern Carmine Bee Eater, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Shining Blue Kingfisher, White Backed Night Heron, alongside White Spotted Fluff Tail, Black Crowned Crane, Goliath Heron, and the huge impressive Martial Eagle.

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Tour begins at the Airport where your guide meet with you and transfer to your Hotels, and if time allows, will do a short introductory birding around the Hotels
• Day 2
  This Morning, after an early pick up from your hotel, we’ll either walk or drive to the Kotu Creek, the day will start at Kotu Bridge area where we confidently expect to see Great White Egret, Western Reef Heron, Senegal Thick Knee, and Migrant waders such as Common Redshank, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, along with Oriole Warbler, Red Cheeked Cordon Bleu, Wire Tailed Swallow, White Crowned Robin Chat and at least four Kingfisher’s species, in the Ricefields We’ll look out for Zitting Cistiola, Little Bee Eater, Spur Winged Plover, Sacred Ibis, Long Tailed Starling and flock of Village Weavers, After lunch We’ll visit the Tanji Bird Reserve where we’ll target many Seabirds and Migrant Waders including Caspian, Royal and Lesser Crested Terns as well as Kelp Gulls and Slender Gull, in the evening we explore the Scrub and woodland in search of Orange Breasted Bush Shrike, Yellow Fronted Tinker bird, Violet Turaco, Pied Winged Swallow, Tree Pipit, Yellow Crowned Gonolek, Swallow Tailed Bee Eater and many more.
• Day 3
  Today, We’ll spent a full day at the fabulous Kartong Wetlands , we’ll enjoy a full morning searching for Purple Swamphen, Comb Duck, White Faced Whistling Duck, African Crake, Black Crake, Yellow Crowned Bishop, Malachite Kingfisher, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Yellow Blacked Weaver, Senegal Batis, Namaqua Dove, Mosque Swallow, Black Winged Stilt, Palm nut Vulture, Red Necked Falcon , Osprey and much more. After lunch, we’ll take a walk along the beach area and adjacent Scrub looking for Grey Headed Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Blue Cheeked Bee eater, Great White Pelican, Beaudouin Snake Eagle, White Fronted Plover, Yellow Billed Oxpecker and a myriad of Seabirds.
• Day 4
  This Morning, we’ll leave for the Upcountry en route we’ll visit a number of birding locations including Farasutu Forest and Pirang Shrimp Farm where we hope to see Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Quail Finch, European Spoonbill, Northern Red Bishop, Black Tern, Pink Backed Pelican, Subalpine Warbler, Short Toed Eagle, Walberg’s Eagle, White Spotted Fluff Tailed, Grayish Eagle Owl, Black Crowned Tchagra, Spotted Honey Guide, Western Bluebill, Common Wattle Eye among many others, we’ll arrive at Abcas Creek Lodge in time for lunch and in the afternoon, we’ll explore the vicinity of the lodge for White Crested Helmet Shrike, Woodland Kingfisher, Senegal Eremomela, Yellow Billed Shrike, African Golden Oriole, Black Scimitar Bill, Bateleur Eagle, Black Shouldered Kite, Lizard Buzzard and many more.
  We’ll return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
• Day 5
  Today, we’ll head further east birding en route at Kampant Rice Fields and other hotspots, where we may encounter raptors such as Bateleur Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Long Crested Eagle Grasshopper Buzzard, and many more, break for lunch and in the afternoon we’ll visit the Tendaba Airfield and possible species include Grey Headed Bush Shrike, Pearl Spotted Owlet, Red Billed Quellea, Vieillot’s Barbet, Pied Avocet, Gull Bill Tern, Bar Tailed Godwit and many more.
  Dinner and Overnight in Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 6
  An early start will see us heading to Yelli Tenda Ferry Crossing point for short ferry ride to the North Bank where well search the harvested Peanut farms for Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Both White Bellied , Black Bellied and Savile Bustards, Temminck’s Courser, we’ll also spend some time at waterholes, which are often crowded with small savanna birds such as Cut Throat Finch, Bush Petronia, Sahel Paradise Whydah, Black Rumped Waxbill, Cinnamon Breasted Bunting, among many others , at Kaur Wetland, we’ll have a lunch break and continue birding, possible species for the rest of the day may include the Highly prized Egyptian Plover, Collared Prantincole, White Crowned Lapwing, Chestnut Backed Sparrow lark, Northern Ant eater Chat, Gabar Goshawk, and more.
  Dinner and Night in Georgetown.
• Day 7
  Today, we’ll spend the morning exploring the Kunkilling Forest Park , where we may see Little Green Bee Eater, Green Hylia, White Backed Vulture, Spotted Thick Knee, Klaa’s Cuckoo, and Adamawa Turtle Dove, which is reserve’s specialist, a visit to Bansang Quarry will be one of the highlights on this day to see the impressive colony of the Red Throated Bee Eater, other possible species include Mottle spine tail, Exclamatory Paradise Whydah, Village Indigo bird, Didric Cuckoo and raptors such as Tawny Eagle, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture and African Hawk Eagle, we’ll heading back to our base for lunch, in the afternoon, we’ll take a boat ride along the Gambia River, African Fin foot, Shining Blue Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle and Hadada Ibis will be high on our wanted list, but we’ll also look for Swamp Flycatcher, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Yellow Backed Weaver, and many more.
  Dinner and Overnight in Georgetown.
• Day 8
  After Breakfast, we’ll visit the North Bank to see another Red Throated Bee Eater Colony, and also our best chance to find the much desired Northern Carmine Bee Eater, along with White Throated Bee Eater, European Bee Eater, Hammerhop, Martial Eagle, Beaudouin Snake Eagle and many more. We’ll return via the south bank , making several stops along the way including Fulla Bantang, Jahally rice fields, Dalaba Lake and Pakaliba wetland, at these sites we may encounter Marabou Stork, Ruff, Winding Cisticola, African Pygmy Goose, Spur winged Goose, Black Coucal, Woolly Necked Stork among others.
  Dinner and Night in Tendaba.
• Day 9
  An early morning boat ride to take in the Tunku and Kisi inlets could reveal hard to find species such as Fairy Blue Flycatcher, White Backed Night Heron and Pel’s Fishing Owl, other desirable possibilities include Goliath Heron, and African Fin foot, Mouse Brown Sunbird, Yellow billed Stork, Woolly Necked Stork among many others, after the boat trip, we’ll move to Bateling Bush Track looking for White Shouldered Black Chat, Brown Backed Woodpecker, Pygmy Sunbird, Scarlet Sunbird, Striped Kingfisher, White Rumped See Eater, Long Crested Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, Dark Chanting Goshawk among many others.
  We’ll finally say goodbye to inland and bird our way back to coast.
• Day 10
  Our final morning will be spent at Abuko Nature Reserve , here, we’ll enjoy couple of hours birding before departing to the Airport and staying by the pool area, we may see Fanti Saw wing, Little Swift, Broad Billed Roller, Black Headed Heron, Malachite, Pygmy Kingfishers and many more.

Price
Price per person

Inclusions
Nine night accommodation in a mid-range Coastal hotel/ inland lodges, Transport ( AC Vehicle) airport transfers, guide, all meals,( picnic lunches) park fees, boat trips and free bottled water during the day tour.

Exclusions
Flight, Soft, and alcoholic drinks, as well as items of personal nature.

Tour availability
All year round. Small group/private tour options are available on request for your preferred travel dates. Please contact us for schedule dates and availability if you are interested in joining any of our group tours

Group size
Minimal 2 persons, max 6 persons
Single room supplement
[Back to above]

FOURTEEN DAYS TOUR: BIRD WATCHING ROUND TOUR

• Day 1
  I will picked you up from the Airport at your arrival time and bring you to your coastal hotel.
• Day 2
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. Today we go to the Abuko Nature Reserve and Lamin Rice Field area. The lunch we will spend at Lamin Lodge . In the afternoon we do birding and nature photography at the Lamin Rice Field area.
  Birds to be found in this area are Western Bluebill, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Green Hylia, Collared Sunbird, Giant Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellow Coucal, Violet Turaco, Green Turaco, Ahanta Francolin, Yellow-breasted Apalis and many more.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 3
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30.
  We go to the Marakissa Wood and Marakissa Rice Field. We spend the lunch at the The Marakissa River Camp .
  In the afternoon we do birding and nature photography at the Marakissa Rice Field. Some of the birds which may be seen here include the Spotted Honeyguide, Greater Honeyguide, Cardinal Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Long Claw, African Golden Oriole, Square-tailed Drongo, White-breasted Cuckoo Shrike, Leaflove, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Oriole Warbler, Green Crombec, Blackcap Babbler, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Black-winged Red Bishop, White-rumped Seedeater, Whistling Cisticola, Windling Cisticola, Martial Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hobby, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, Grey Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon and Grasshopper Buzzard.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 4
  I will pick you up from your coastal by 6:30.
  In the morning we go to Georgetown. We cross the Gambia river by ferry from Banjul to Barra with a packed lunch and drive towards Georgetown while making stops at Berending Forest to find the Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike, the peanut fields for Coursers, Bustards and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, the Kaur Wetland for Egyptian White- crowned and Kittlitz’s Plover and the Panchchang Wetland for snipes and Pygmy Goose.
  We will have dinner and overnight at Annex/ Boa Bolong Camp (hotel review) at GeorgeTown.
• Day 5
  After breakfast we make a boat trip around the island for Western Banded and Brown Snake Eagles, African Finfoot, Turtle Dove and Shining-blue Kingfisher. Thereafter we drive via the south bank road to Tendaba, with stops at Fula Bantang for Marabou Stork; Jahally Rice Fields for Black Coucal, Pygmy Goose and snipes.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Tendaba Bush Camp.
• Day 6
  After breakfast we make another boat trip in the species rich Tendaba creek for the Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron, African Scops Owl and many more.
  Thereafter we drive through the Kiang West National park with a packed lunch on board, looking for the Bataleur, Brown Snake Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard and the Brown-rumped Bunting.
  We will have dinner and stay overnight at the Bintang Bolong Lodge.
  Bintang Bolon Lodge
  This is in a beautiful setting amongst the mangroves at the edge of Bintang Bolon. Accommodation is in six pleasant huts. Four of these are situated on the river bank and each has its own balcony overlooking the bolon. Two further huts are tucked away in the mangrove. Each hut has its own private facilities.
  Some of the birds which may be seen in this area include Great White Pelican, flamingos, Goliath Heron, Western Reef Heron, Caspian Tern, Lesser Crested Tern and Sandwich Tern.
• Day 7
  After breakfast we drive back to your coastal hotel, on the way back we have different stop including Bintang Bolong Rice Field. We bring a packed lunch fpr the way back.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 8
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:00.
  Kampant Rice Fields
  Today we go to Kampant Rice Fields and Bullock Community Forest. We will have lunch at Bullock Nature Camp. In the afternoon we do birding and nature photography at the Bullock Community Forest.
  This area is very good for birding and nature photography. It is situated on the Trans-Gambia Highway and small pools may be seen on either side. These pools may retain water all year round and is a good place to stop briefly in the hope of seeing raptors and various small birds. These may include Grasshopper Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Bataleurs Grey Kestrel, Lizard Buzzard, Wahlbergs Eagle, Ayres Hawk Eagle, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, White-crowned Robin-chat, Northern Puffback, Black Flycatcher, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Grey-backed Cameroptera, Common Moorhen, Black Crake and Black-rumped.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 9
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. With a packed lunch we go to the Pirang Forest Park and Pirang Shrimp Forest.
  Pirang Shrimp Farm
  The Scan-Gambia shrimp pools are located about half a kilometre to the north-east of the village of Pirang . Take the left hand fork out of the village. It is still the best, if not the only, place to see the Black-crowned Crane which roosts in the nearby mangroves. As well as the mangroves there are also rice fields, oil palms and open areas with a variety of trees. This diverse habitat makes it a worthwhile place to visit. As well as the Black-crowned Cranes there are also good numbers of Spoonbills, Egrets, Kingfishers, Waders and other water birds including Spur-winged Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Plain-backed Pipit, Osprey, Crested Lark, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, European Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Little Stint, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew, Sandpiper and Quail-finch. During the wet season it is also possible to see Yellow-crowned Bishops.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 10
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. We go to Tanji Bird Reserve and have lunch at Tanji Eco Camp.
  Tanji Bird Reserve.
  This is in an area known locally as Karinti. It is an officially protected area of The Gambia and is only about a 5 minutes drive from the Kotu Bridge area. The reserve is just over 6 square kilometres and encompasses a wide range of different habitat types from beach, tidal lagoons, mangrove swamp, coastal scrub and dry savannah woodland. The Reserve also protects Bijilo Island which is The Gambia's only offshore island lying about 1.5 kilometres from the coast. Some of the species that you may encounter here include White-fronted Plover, Yellow-legged Gull, Kelp Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Four-banded Sandgrouse, African Green Pigeon, Osprey, Oriole Warbler, Pomarine Skua, Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike and Giant Kingfisher amongst others.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 11
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. This day we go to the Farautu Community Reserve. We have lunch at Boaboa Island .
  Birds hat may be include Palm-nut Vulture, Long-crested Eagle, Green Turaco, Violet Turaco, Long-tailed Nightjar, Standard-winged Nightjar, White-faced Owl, African scops Owl, African pygmy Kingfisher, White-thoated bee-eater
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 12
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:00; we will drive to Kartong wetland. We use our lunch at the Kartong river area.
  Kartong Wetlands
  This is located just to the south of Boboi Beach Lodge. The sand mines have great future potential to attract birdwatchers from all over the world. After the sand is excavated holes are left which are allowed to fill up naturally with rain and ground water. Over time vegetation has established itself around the edges of these huge artificially formed pools. As they are some of the only fresh water pools in the area a very rich avi-fauna has grown up around them. Along with the coastal scrub, which is also very rich in bird life, this area is rapidly becoming important for birdwatchers who wish to add new species to their life lists. The growing bird lists for this area include European Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Great Snipe, African Painted Snipe, Wryneck, Western Bluebill, Baillons Crake and Little Crake. This list is not exhaustive!
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 13
  I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. Today we go to Burfut Woodland and Kachumeh Woodland. We have lunch at Paradise Beach Bar .
  Brufut Woodland
  Brufut Woodland has long been a favourite place for birwatchers though it does tend to be ignored in a lot of birding literature. It is quite an open area of woodland where it is easy to observe birds and holds a good selection of birds including Verreaux's Eagle Owl, African Golden Oriole, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Blackcap Babbler, Greater Honeyguide, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Violet Barbet, Violet Turaco, Fanti Saw-wing, Klaas's Cuckoo and many more.
  You will have overnight in your coastal hotel.
• Day 14
  Even at this last day I will pick you up from your coastal hotel by 7:30. We will visit Kotu creek, Cycle track and Fajara Golf Course and have lunch at Sailors Restaurant.
  Kotu Pond
  In reality Kotu Pond is a series of open sewage pits. The pits are separated from the road by about 50 metres of open woodland and can be reached along a sandy track. The range of birds seen at the pond is amazing and they will all allow you to get fairly close to them. Some of the species that can be seen here are Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Great Painted Snipe, African Jacana, White-faced Whistling Duck, Little Grebe, Ring Plover and Curlew Sandpiper to mention but a few.
  At this last day I will bring you again to your coastal hotel.

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THE CLIMATE IN THE GAMBIA
This subject may be the ignition spark for a lively debate, but let's be honest: there really is no "best season for birds", it's good throughout the year. What varies between months, is where the birds are, what they are doing and what the weather is like to be and how this may impact on your ability to see birds. Bird guide, Ansuman Drammeh, will help you to get the most of your tour, year round.
Most people come to The Gambia to see birds between November and March, which may be more comfortable but offers only some of The Gambia’s potential ornithological experiences. Imagine only knowing Europe's birds between November and March? Plenty of Waterfowl, maybe some Waxwings and Starlings roosts, but no Warblers, no Swallows, no Nightingales, nor Cuckoos, no Dawn chorus. To best experience to see The Gambia's wonderful birdlife would require a series of trips during different seasons.
Below is a rough analysis of what The Gambia is like during a year.
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January to February
In the beginning of the year it starts to get much drier and there is an influx of Raptors. It's hot around midday, but very pleasant in the mornings and evenings when the birding is at its best.

March
The dry season has started, it's hotter and the best time to see Sandgrouse and Coursers. There are still plenty of Raptors and The Gambia River keeps things fresh along its banks.

April to mid-May
It's now very hot and dry, perhaps tough for us birders, but the 'water shortage' means that the birds are easy to find as they head for the diminishing water sources.

End-of-May to September
These are the months of the rainy season which equals the breeding season for many bird species. So they are singing, displaying in their full finery but it can be a bit tricky to find them. But don't worry, Ansuman Drammeh will show them to you!

October
This is already the post rainy season and it's becoming drier and less humid, but many of the bird species are still in their breeding plumage. Species such as the Weavers, Whydahs and Bishops can be spectacular.

End-of-October and November
Now it's getting drier and more comfortable. Good time for general birding and for the first of the migrants which have begun to arrive.

December
Good time for general birding and plenty of migrants around. And not just those from Europe, but from other parts of The Gambia and the African continent as well.