Picture: Al Henderson

African Birds - Photography tour of The Gambia

The Gambia is a small country on the west African coast, completely surrounded by Senegal. This tropical oasis has a simply stunning array of birds and other wildlife, with many opportunities to take photos at surprisingly close distances. I'm joining my friend Al from Ebro Delta birding who has worked with local expert, Fansu Bojang in The Gambia on three previous occasions. Together they have created the perfect itinerary to see the whole of the country and enjoy some of the very best bird photography opportunities that are available.

Our week-long bird photography tour of the country will begin with 3 nights at the coast where we will enjoy fantastic day trips to locations such as Kartong and Tanji, before embarking on the incredible canoe trip from Kotu bridge - where multiple species of Kingfisher can be captured just a few meters from your camera's lens!

After completing the first leg of the tour at the coast, we will then embark on a 3 day voyage following the Gambia river towards the country's interior, staying at some charming nature camps along the route. This journey will allow us to see the whole country with many birding highlights along the route, including the opportunity to photograph the incredible Red-throated Bee-eater at two separate breeding sites. We will also venture out on some spectacular boat trips, where we may encounter other wildlife including Chimpanzees, Hippos, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards and different varieties of monkeys.

We return to the coast for the final night of the trip - with one last canoe trip in Kotu creek on departure day followed by a bird photo editing session with Nick prior to leaving. This will include tips on cropping, composition and editing in Adobe Lightroom or other post-production tools to help you get the best from your images.

Date

18th November 2024 8 days, 7 nights. Price to be confirmed

NB You will need jabs for West Africa inc Yellow Fever and a course of Malarone tablets for Malaria

Picture: Al Henderson

Included in the price

Local ground transport from Banjul Airport to Hotel at coast (return)
7 nights accommodation in The Gambia
Guiding fees for 6.5 days of birding & bird photography
All boat trips
All breakfasts
5 lunches & 3 evening meals

Picture: Al Henderson

Boat tour highlights from The Gambia

Not included in the price

Entrance / exit airport tax in Gambia (total €40 per person)
Small local tips for boat captains, park attendants etc.
Guide gratuities
Drinks at Hotels & Camps
4 evening meals & 2 lunches
flight to Barcelona from UK

Itinerary

Day 1

After clearing the airport, we will be met by Fansu and transferred to Palm Beach Hotel in Kotu. We will arrive in time to eat at the Hotel (meal not included).

Day 2 Kartong & Alahine River Boat Trip

After breakfast at the Hotel (included) we will be met by Fansu for an early morning start. We travel to the southern edge of The Gambia with birding stops along the route. After a riverside lunch (included) at Stala Lodge, we take a bird watching boat trip along the Alahine river before returning back to our coastal base. Evening meal at Hotel or local restaurant (not included).

Day 3 Tanji Bird Reserve & Kotu Creek by canoe.

Following breakfast at the Hotel (included) we will visit Tanji bird reserve, a short distance to the south of Kotu. After some walk around birding with great photo opportunities we head back to our Hotel base with a stop at Brufut woods. Lunch will be taken at the Hotel or a local restaurant (not included).

In the later part of the afternoon we will meet with Fansu at the famous Kotu bridge which is just a short walk from our Hotel, and then have a wonderful canoe trip on Kotu Creek which has many opportunities to get close up pictures of spectacular birds. Evening meal at Hotel or local restaurant (not included).

Day 4 Farasutu Forest & the road to Morgan Kunda.

On day 4 of the trip we will depart from our coastal base following breakfast (included) and begin the journey to the interior. One of the highlights of the day will be a stop at Farasutu forest which offers spectacular photo opportunities of different owls. We continue our journey with a lunch stop on route (included) and further birding breaks along the journey including the excellent Kimpati raptor hotspot. We will reach Morgan Kunda lodge by early evening and check into our accommodation before taking dinner at the lodge (included).

Day 5 Wassu sand quarry & Baboon Island boat trip before road to Georgetown.

Breakfast will be at Morgan Kunda lodge and we will have an opportunity to take photos of some of the spectacular birds in the garden before departure. We will then be driving along the North Bank Road heading further inland, with some excellent locations along the route including Njau Ponds with good possibility of Egyptian Plover & Wassu sand quarry which has both Red-throated & Little Bee-eaters. We will take lunch at Kuntaur (included) with an afternoon boat trip to Baboon Island (Chimps & Hippos). Our journey then continues a short distance to Lodge accommodation close to Janjanbureh (Lodge TBC). Evening meal at lodging (included).

Day 6 Bansang sand quarry and the road to Tendaba Camp.

Following breakfast at our lodge we will visit Bansang sand quarry to capture the Red-throated Bee-eaters & other birds in the early morning light. We will then begin our journey back along the south bank road with opportunistic stops on the road back and lunch (included). We will check in to Tendaba Camp early evening and enjoy a buffet dinner (included).

Day 7 Boat trip from Tendaba, Bonto Forest and the return to the coast.

Breakfast will be served at Tendaba Camp (included) and we will then take a morning boat trip along the narrow channels off the main body of The Gambia river. After returning from the boat trip we will be journeying back towards the coast with a lunch break (included) and a stop off at Bonto Forest for more owl opportunities. We arrive back at the coast late afternoon and check in to our Hotel (TBC). Evening meal at Hotel or local restaurant (not included).

Day 8 Kotu Creek, photo editing session & return flight to Barcelona.

The final day of the tour. Following breakfast at the Hotel (included) we will take another canoe trip on Kotu Creek in the early part of the morning with spectacular bird photography possibilities.

About this tour

WildPhotographer is working with long established and highly respected Spanish partner, Al Henderson of Ebro Delta Birding, who has organised this tour and brings guiding wisdom, location knowledge, transport and far more.