Join us on an unforgettable 10-day birdwatching adventure through The Gambia, one of West Africa’s most rewarding and accessible birding destinations. Despite its small size, The Gambia boasts an incredible diversity of habitats — from lush coastal mangroves and riverine forests to open savannas, rice fields, and inland wetlands — home to over 560 recorded bird species.

This carefully designed tour offers the perfect balance of comfort, discovery, and excitement. Starting along the vibrant Atlantic coast, you’ll explore iconic sites such as Abuko Nature Reserve, Kotu Creek, and Brufut Woods, where colourful Turacos, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, and Rollers fill the canopy and skies. As we travel upriver, we’ll experience the wild heart of the country — rich floodplains, gallery forests, and tranquil waters that host species like African Finfoot, Egyptian Plover, Martial Eagle, and Red-throated Bee-eater.

Led by expert local guides, this immersive journey promises not just exceptional birding but also a chance to experience The Gambia’s warm hospitality, scenic beauty, and vibrant culture. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned birder, this 10-day tour delivers a

unforgettable experience in one of Africa’s best-loved birding destinations.

Arrive at Banjul International Airport and transfer to your coastal hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an easy introduction to The Gambia’s birdlife around the hotel gardens and nearby wetlands. Typical first sightings include Western Plantain-eater, Black-crowned Tchagra, and Broad-billed Roller. Evening briefing and welcome dinner. Overnight in Banjul.

Your first day of birding in The Gambia begins at Kotu Creek, one of the country’s most famous and productive birding sites. Just a short distance from the coastal resorts, this tidal creek and its surrounding rice fields, mudflats, and mangroves provide a perfect introduction to Gambian birdlife. Early morning is alive with activity — flocks of White-faced Whistling Duck, African Jacana, and Black-winged Stilt feed alongside Wood Sandpiper, and Common Redshank. Overhead, Wire-tailed Swallow, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, and Little Swift and Grey Kestrel, patrol the skies, while the lush banks hide Blue-breasted, Common Bulbul, Green Woodhoopoe, and Pied Kingfishers. With luck, you might even spot the elusive Greater Painted-snipe or Giant Kingfisher.

After a relaxing lunch break, the afternoon is spent at the nearby Fajara Golf Course, a surprisingly rich birding area combining open grassland, scattered trees, and freshwater ponds. Here we search for Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Wattled Lapwing, Little Bee-eater, Pearl-spotted Owlet, and Fine-spotted Woodpecker, while colourful species such a Bearded Barbet, and Red-billed Firefinch brighten the landscape. Raptors like Lizard Buzzard, African Hobby, and Shikra, are frequent visitors, offering superb photographic opportunities. Overnight in Banjul.

Today we explore two of The Gambia’s most iconic birding locations, offering an exceptional mix of forest and savannah species that European birders rarely encounter.

Our morning begins at Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia’s oldest protected area and a haven for forest birdlife. A network of shaded trails winds through lush gallery forest and wetland habitats where we may encounter African Paradise Flycatcher. Other highlights include Green Turacos, Black-billed and Blue-spotted Wood Dove, African Pied Hornbill, Collared Sunbird, Greater Honeyguide, Woodland Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Fanti Sawwing, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Olive-naped Weaver,and the brilliantly coloured Green-headed and Copper Sunbirds. The pools along the Lamin Stream often attract Black Crake, and Little Bittern, making this reserve a paradise for photographers.

After lunch, we continue to Brufut Woods, a tranquil area of dry woodland rich in both resident and migrant birds. Expect to see Abyssinian Roller, White-shouldered Black Tit, Red-winged Prinia, and Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher. Raptors such as Shikra, and Dark Chanting Goshawk are frequently seen, while hidden roosts may reveal Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl or Northen White-faced Owl.

As the sun lowers, Brufut’s golden light offers perfect conditions for photography—an inspiring end to a day immersed in The Gambia’s natural beauty and extraordinary avian diversity. Overnight in Banjul.

Today offers a wonderful blend of coastal and woodland birding, showcasing The Gambia’s rich diversity within easy reach of the coast.

Our morning begins at Tanji Bird Reserve, a superb combination of beach, mangrove, lagoon, and scrub habitats. Here, European birders will enjoy a vibrant mix of Afrotropical residents and Palearctic migrants. The shoreline teems with Grey Plover, Sanderling, Whimbrel, West African Crested Tern, Grey-hooded Gull, while the mangroves and lagoons host Osprey, Pink-backed Pelican, African Sacred Ibis, and Senegal Thick-knee. Colourful residents such as Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Senegal Parrot, Northern Grey-headed sparrow, Yellow-billed Shrike, Stone Partridge.

After lunch, we continue to Tujereng Woods, a beautiful mosaic of dry woodland and acacia scrub. This is prime habitat for Pygmy Sunbird, Northern Crombec, Senegal Eremomela, and Chestnut-bellied Starling. Raptors such as Shikra and Dark Chanting Goshawk are often seen soaring overhead, while Western Plantain-eater and Beautiful Sunbird brighten the lower canopy.

As the day winds down, we’ll enjoy the soft evening light over Tujereng—an ideal opportunity for bird photography before returning to our coastal lodge for dinner and the checklist session. Overnight in Banjul.

This day offers an exceptional mix of forest and wetland birding, introducing visitors to the beautiful landscapes and remarkable biodiversity of The Gambia’s western region.

We begin at Mandinaba, exploring the surrounding farmland and wooded edges alive with activity at dawn. Early species may include, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-crowned Gonolek. The gentle light and open setting provide perfect conditions for photography.

Next, we visit the Farasuto Forest Community Nature Reserve, one of The Gambia’s best-protected gallery forests managed by local conservationists. This intimate forest sanctuary hosts sought-after species such as Western Bluebill, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Northern White-faced Owl, Greyish Eagle Owl, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Blackcap Babbler, Violet Turaco, Green Turaco, Northern Puffback, Black Scimitarbill, African Thrush, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Bruce’s Green-Pigeon, White-crested Helmetshrike, Green Crombec, and Pied-winged Swallow. It’s a superb location for both forest birding and cultural engagement with the local community guides.

After lunch, we continue to Pirang–Bonto Forest Park, a haven for rarer species including Greyish Eagle-Owl, White-backed Night Heron, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Leaf-love, Green Crombec, and Little Greenbul.

We end the day at the Pirang Fishponds, a wetland hotspot for waders and waterbirds. Expect flocks of African Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, and sometimes the elusive Greater Painted-Snipe. Raptors such as African Fish Eagle often patrol overhead, making this a perfect finale to a richly rewarding birding day. Overnight at Bintang.

Leaving Bintang Lodge just after dawn, the journey heads northeast through wooded savanna to the famous Kampanti Raptor Bridge, one of The Gambia’s finest spots for watching large African raptors. From this open vantage, birders can expect to see Bateleur gliding low over the treetops, and Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Hawk-Eagle, and Western Banded Snake-Eagle circling on the early thermals. The surrounding bushland often holds Senegal Eromomela, African Golden Oriole, Northern Crombec, and Piapiac, giving the site a lively start to the day. Continuing east, the next stop is the Farafenni Wetland, where shallow pools and reedbeds attract, Purple Heron, and African Openbill, while White-faced Whistling-Duck, Knob-billed Duck, and Sacred Ibis feed in the flooded grassland. The road then leads to Njauri Reservoir, a calm freshwater body bordered by acacias, where Little Grebe, African Pygmy-Goose, Long-tailed Cormorant, and Malachite Kingfisher are frequently encountered, and raptors like African Fish-Eagle or Osprey may be seen fishing. Nearby, the Panchang Wetland offers a mix of muddy edges and aquatic vegetation favored by Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Black Heron, and the graceful Wattled Lapwing, with colourful passerines such as Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Village Indigobird, and Northern Red Bishop along the fringes. Further east lies the Nyangabantang Wetland, a quieter stretch where Squacco Heron, Striated Heron, African Swamphen, and Blue-breasted Kingfisher thrive among papyrus patches, occasionally joined by Yellow-billed Stork. The final destination is Wassu Quarry, an iconic red-sand escarpment where colonies of Red-throated Bee-eater and sometimes Northern Carmine Bee-eater nest in the cliffs, while Lanner Falcon, and Striped Kingfisher hunt nearby. As the light softens, the day concludes surrounded by the vibrant colours and calls of inland Gambia’s most characteristic African birds. Overnight at Janjanbureh

The day begins at first light in Janjabureh with a peaceful boat safari along the Gambia River, where the calm water mirrors the mangrove roots and the rising sun. This tranquil cruise offers a chance to see some of West Africa’s most sought-after riverine birds such as African Finfoot, often gliding close to the banks, along with Giant, Pied, and Shining Blue Kingfishers flashing past in bursts of colour. Goliath Heron, Crimson Seedcracker, Oriole Warbler, Swamp Flycatcher, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Darter, and Hamerkop are regular sightings, while Hadada Ibis, provide a constant presence overhead. After breakfast, birding continues in the Janjabureh West End, where gallery forest, gardens, and open farmland create a mosaic of habitats supporting a wide variety of African species. The woodland edges and shady trails host Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Temminck’s Courser, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, African Paradise-Flycatcher. The afternoon can be spent exploring the drier surroundings and small wetlands near town, where Black Crake, and Purple Heron. As evening approaches, a final walk along the river may reveal the haunting call of African Scops Owl and Pearl-spotted Owlet at dusk. The night is spent at a comfortable riverside lodge in Janjabureh, where the sounds of frogs and nightjars carry through the warm tropical air.

Leaving Janjabureh early in the morning, the journey west begins as the first light touches the Gambia River, heading toward the Dalaba Wetland, a broad seasonal floodplain rich in life. Here, the shallow pools and reedbeds host a variety of species including Purple and Squacco Herons, White-faced Whistling-Duck. The calls of Yellow-crowned Gonolek echo from the bushes, while Blue-breasted Kingfisher flash along the channels. Continuing the drive, the route passes through open farmland and savanna before reaching Soma, where lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant, often with Piapiac and Speckled Pigeon moving about the surroundings. Afterward, the road leads southward to Tendaba, arriving by mid-afternoon to visit the drinking pool near the camp, a small but active oasis where Lavender Waxbill, Village Indigobird, Black-rumped Waxbill, Purple Starling, Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling, Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Sahel Bush Sparrow, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Cut-throat, and Namaqua Dove gather to drink, occasionally joined by Northern Red Bishop or Bronze Mannikin. As the heat begins to fade, birding continues at the Wurokang Plains, an open expanse of lateritic soil and scattered shrubs that provide excellent conditions for dry-country specialists such as Temminck’s Courser, Black-headed Lapwing, Four-banded Sandgrouse, and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, with the chance of spotting Bateleur, Grasshopper Buzzard, or Dark Chanting-Goshawk soaring above. The final stop of the day is Kiang West National Park, where mixed woodland and savanna host a wonderful diversity of birds—Abyssinian Roller, Bruce’s Green-Pigeon, while dusk may reveal Long-tailed Nightjar beginning their nightly calls. The day concludes back at Tendaba Camp, where dinner is enjoyed beside the river and the sounds of the African night surround the group.

The day begins early with a tranquil boat safari from Tendaba, gliding along the winding mangrove creeks as the sun rises over the Gambia River. This peaceful waterway offers close encounters with some of West Africa’s most striking riverine birds, including African Finfoot stealthily moving along the shaded banks, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, standing motionless in the shallows, and African Darter, Pink-backed Pelican, Long-tailed Cormorant, and White-backed Night-Heron perched among the roots. Overhead, are often seen soaring, while Blue-breasted, Pied Kingfisher.

flash vividly along the channels. Returning to shore, the journey continues inland to the Sutusinjang Rice Fields, a productive mosaic of flooded paddies and irrigation ditches where Spur-winged Goose feeds on the edges. Among the grasses, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Lavender Wa,xbill, and Northern Red Bishop bring splashes of colour. By midday, the route turns westward toward the coast, arriving at the Pirang Fish Ponds, a vast expanse of shallow lagoons, mudflats, and embankments teeming with life. This site provides excellent views of African Openbill, Yellow-billed Egret, Great Egret, Purple Swamphen, and White-faced Whistling-Duck, and sometimes White-fronted Plover, alongside aerial hunters like Whiskered Tern, and occasionally African Marsh Harrier, and Western Banded Snake-Eagle. The surrounding acacia woodland supports, and Beautiful Sunbird, adding a woodland flavor to the wetland setting. In the late afternoon, the drive continues toward Banjul, where the mangroves give way to coastal plains as the day ends. The group settles in for the night at a comfortable lodge or hotel in the Banjul area, surrounded by the sounds of distant tree frogs and the warm evening breeze off the Atlantic coast.

We travel south to the lush Kartong Wetland, one of The Gambia’s finest birding areas. African Jacana treads gently over floating lilies while Black Crake, and White-faced Whistling-Duck feed among reeds. Open pools host Spur-winged Goose and African Openbill, with Sacred Ibis and Glossy Ibis nearby. Overhead Palm-nut Vulture, and Brown Snake-Eagle circle in the warm air. Colour flashes from Blue-breasted, and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater perched on open snags. The route continues to the Kartong Coastal Area, where marsh meets tidal sand. Here, birders often see Western Reef Heron, while nearby dunes and scrub hold Yellow-billed Shrike, and Variable Sunbird. In the afternoon, a boat safari through mangrove channels brings new encounters—Striated Heron, White-backed Night-Heron, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant, and occasionally the grand Goliath Heron along open stretches. The mangrove edges glow with Blue-breasted Kingfishers, as Osprey and Whiskered Tern glide above. At sunset, Senegal Coucal, African Pied Hornbill crosses the golden river, ending a day rich with the sounds and colour of African birdlife.

Then we visit Marakissa, it provides an excellent glimpse of The Gambia’s rich African birdlife within a small area of riverine woodland, scrub, and wetland. Starting from Marakissa River Camp, the riverside trails reveal colourful residents such as Violet Turaco, Guinea Turaco, while Piapiac, and Fork-tailed Drongo are always active nearby. Along the water’s edge, Black Heron performs its umbrella-feeding display, joined by Hamerkop, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron. African Fish-Eagle, and African Darter are regular, with Blue-bellied Roller and Blue-breasted Kingfisher adding bright flashes of colour. Moving through nearby fields, birders often encounter Village Weaver, Lavender Waxbill, and Northern Red Bishop, while the open patches host Spur-winged Lapwing. Occasional highlights include Purple Roller, or a soaring Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle. As the morning warms African Harrier-Hawk drift overhead, and the camp’s garden feeders attract sunbirds and finches for close views. In just a few hours, Marakissa delivers a vivid experience of West Africa’s most distinctive birds—bright, vocal, and diverse across a beautiful landscape of forest, fields, and river.

Transfer to Banjul International Airport.