---

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in the Gambia
We arrive at Yundum Airport, Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, usually after an overnight flight. From there we transfer to our accommodation in the Fajara area, where our tour starts. Pied Crows, Hooded Vultures and many small birds will be observed on the airport grounds and on the travel to our accommodation.

We have an opportunity for birding in and around the grounds of the accommodation. After supper we discuss our list of birds observed during the day, and prepare for the next day’s events. An early evening is anticipated to compensate for the effects of the time change. Night in the Fajara area.

Day 2 - Birding in the Fajara – Kotu area
After a leisurely breakfast, we bird the local area, becoming familiar with several common and widespread species. We then visit the Atlantic Coastline with emphasis on Kotu Creek and Ponds. This area is a good introduction to the birds of coastal areas – Grey, Squacco, and Western Reef Herons, White-faced Whistling-duck, African Jacana, and Shikra, a small hawk similar to Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Pied Kingfisher here is the first of many different kingfisher species we will observe during the tour. Although the many African finches and doves we encounter can be confusing, we will work through them to identify each.

We return to the motel for a late lunch and cool down, maybe a pool dip. In the late afternoon we visit the Fajara Golf Course and the local sewage lagoon, looking for Black-headed, Spur-winged and Wattled Plovers, various sandpipers, Hammerkop, Blue-bellied Roller, Red-breasted Swallow, bee-eaters, sunbirds, shrikes and babblers. Night in the Fajara area.

Day 3 - Lamin Fields and the Abuko Nature Reserve
These two locales are both excellent birding areas. Our day starts with a morning walk in the Lamin Rice Fields, where diked rice fields are surrounded by a variety of savannah and forested habitats. The pools of open water support many herons including Black, Western Reef, Black-headed, Squacco and Striated Herons. Small finches include Bar-breasted Firefinch, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Lavender Waxbills and a hundreds of Village Weavers at their nests. The calls of the Red-eyed Dove (“I-am-the-red-eyed-dove”) will be continuously with us.

Nearby Abuko National Forest is a very different habitat. It is one of last remaining stands of coastal forest in the country. Our walk in shade will be refreshing. We spend time at the Darwin Field Station, where we could find waterbirds such as Malachite and African Pygmy Kingfisher, Black Crake, and African Jacana. Nile Crocodiles laze around the waterways here, and we can view these impressive animals from a viewing platform. In the woodlands we will look for Western Grey and Violet Plantain-eaters (Turacos), African Pied Hornbills, various bulbuls, robin-chats, and old world warblers, White-crested Helmet-Shrikes, and possibly a roosting Verreaux’s Eagle Owl. There is a chance of hearing and catching glimpse of both Red Colobus and Green Vervet Monkeys in the tree tops. Night in the Fajara area.

Day 4 - Pirang Ponds and bush track to Jiboroh Kuta
Today, we head away from the coast with a stop at the Pirang ponds - a fish farm area with extensive ponds. It is a good area for several species of shorebirds, waders, Pink-backed and White Pelicans, Little and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Plain-backed Pipit, and with luck, a Black Crowned Crane. There will be foraging flocks of Wire-tailed and Mosque Swallows.

The bush track from Faraba Banta to Jiboroh Kuta is a local spot for raptors, and here we will look for Martial Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, Dark Chanting Goshawk, African Harrier-Hawk and snake-eagles, as well as several species of rollers, kingfishers and other open country birds. Night in the Fajara area.

Days 5 – 6 - Camp Tendaba
On Day 5, we travel to Camp Tendaba for a two-night stay. Camp Tendaba is a former hunt camp which now caters to eco-tourists and birders. Although roads are rough, actual distances are small and we make frequent stops along the way to take in our surroundings.

In the late afternoon we start our exploration of Camp Tendaba area with a walk to the airfield site. After the rainy season this area is a lake that dries up during the dry months. Special birds we will look for in this areas are Long-crested Eagle and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. The next morning, after a buffet breakfast, we visit many different birding locations in the Camp Tendaba region. Birds of note should include Bateleur, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, up to 5 species of bee-eaters, Hoopoe, Woodland Kingfisher and much more. In the late afternoon we take a boat cruise in a native boat across the Gambia River and then up a series of creeks through the mangroves into a vast wetland area. Woolly-necked Storks, Sacred Ibis, Goliath Herons, White-backed Night-Herons, Hammerkops, and much more occur here. With luck we might see an elusive African Finfoot amongst the mangrove roots. On the mud flats there will be Monitor Lizards and Mudskippers, small fish which walk on stubby leg like fins and flees onto shore and into the bush when disturbed. Nights at Camp Tendaba.

Day 7 - Travel to Bird Safari Camp
We continue our travel into the interior with the final destination being Bird Safari Camp. Travel will take all day; however, we make frequent stops, often at water holes where birds flock in to feed and drink water. By sitting patiently we can be rewarded with views of Namaqua Dove, Black-rumped Waxbills, African Silverbills, and Cut-throat Finch.

We arrive at Bird Safari Camp, which is located on an island, where we will be spending three nights. This is an excellent area to find owls and we could hear both African Scops Owls and White-faced Scops Owls each evening. Stone Partridge walk around the grounds of the Bird Safari Camp.

Day 8 - Basse
Today we travel eastward all day to Basse, looking especially for Egyptian Plover along the banks of the river, and for Northern Carmine and Red-throated Bee-eaters which are found only in the eastern regions of the county. We should by now have seen all the bee-eaters that we could potentially observe on the tour. Dry open country is the habitat to find the large African Vultures – Lappet-faced and Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures. We’ll also scan the skies for Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard and Booted Eagle. Night at Bird Safari Camp

Day 9 - Area around Bird Safari Camp
Today we explore the area west from Bird Safari Camp, and look particularly for species we have missed up to now. We will visit a rice growing area with standing water for White-faced Whistling-Duck, African Pygmy Goose, Marabou Stork, Gray Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Great Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Pearl-spotted Owl, Yellow-billed Shrike and much more. In mid-afternoon we take another boat trip on the Gambia River for Hippopotamus, African Fish-eagles, Palm-nut Vultures, roosts of Black Kites, and West African Baboons. We may encounter Egyptian Plover again today. This is a very relaxing way to finish another day of superb birding. Night at Bird Safari Camp.

Day 10 - Return to Camp Tendaba
We start our return back to the coast, and spend this night back at Camp Tendaba. We make numerous birding stops along the way, often checking water holes for various finches, doves and other birds. Night at Camp Tendaba.

Day 11 - Return to Fajara
We continue our return to the coast today, arriving mid-afternoon at our accommodation at the coast. Night in Fajara.

Day 12 - Birding around Fajara
Today is a relaxing day birding within walking distance of our accommodation and checking birds which are passing by offshore. In the evening we visit some of the coastal dunes at dusk in search of nightjars. Night in Fajara.

Day 13 - Tanji Reserve
We travel today southwards along the coast to the Tanji Reserve, a rich wildlife area which was established by Clive Barlow, the author of ‘A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal’, the field guide which we have been using on a daily basis. We also visit the Tanji Lagoon where we look for various gulls, terns and shorebirds. Little and Lesser Crested Terns should be highlights, and Giant Kingfisher is also a possibility. The bush area bordering the lagoon will be explored for African Pygmy Kingfisher, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, and African Green Pigeon. Nearby is the Gambian Reptile Farm, where researchers are raising and studying native reptiles, many of which are not well documented. Night in Fajara.

Day 14 - Final Day and Departure
Depending upon the time of our departure flight time, we may have a final morning of birding in the Banjul harbour area for Kelp Gull, Grey-headed Gull, Ruddy Turnstone, European Curlew, and possibly a Greater Flamingo. After packing, we say goodbye to Yaya and reluctantly head to Yundum Airport for our flight home after this great adventure.

---

What to Expect

Be prepared for warm to hot, dry and sunny weather on most days. It is necessary to bring a hat and sunscreen. Daytime temperatures range from 25 to 350 celsius, and humidity will be low as we visiting near the end of the dry season. Pool dips will be refreshing at all times of the day.

The walking conditions will be relatively easy, but good, sturdy footwear is advised. We take several boat rides on fairly calm waters during our trip up-river. The roads are rough away from the coast, with lots of potholes; however, our pace will be leisurely with frequent stops to check for birds. There will also be some police checkpoints and a couple of army checkpoints when we leave the coastal area.
Bring insect repellent and/or mosquito-proof clothing. Away from the coast, we sleep under mosquito netting as precautionary measures. Water, bottled under the supervision of the World Health Organization, is available throughout the county. A wide variety of other bottled beverages are available.

The accommodation at the coast is at a 4-star resort, and is popular with tourists who want to enjoy the beach and sun. The accommodation inland is more rustic in appearance but is of a high quality as well.

The country is geared for bird watching with local trained guides at most locations; we will have our own local guide for the duration of the tour. You will find the “Guide to the Birds of Gambia” featured at local stores along the coast.

In the evenings we usually eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying, and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered, as well as discuss the following day’s activities.