Join us for an unforgettable one-day birding tour at Kotu Creek, its surroundings and at Abuko Nature Reserve. Kotu Creek is among the most rewarding and accessible birding locations in The Gambia, ideal for both beginners and experienced birders. The area features a mix of freshwater ponds, tidal mudflats, mangroves, and open scrub, all within walking distance of the main resort area. This rich combination of habitats attracts a remarkable variety of birds throughout the year.

At Kotu Bridge, visitors can enjoy close views of herons, egrets, and kingfishers, including Pied and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Senegal Thick-knee, Spur-winged Lapwing, and Black-winged Stilt, while Ospreys and Palm-nut Vultures often soar above. The Kotu Nature Trail leads through woodland and rice fields where species like Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Little Bee-eater, and Western Bluebill can be found.

This tour is a fantastic way to experience a diverse range of birds in a single day close to the resort areas. Habitats include rice fields, mudflats, scrubland, Kotu Sewage Pond, and the famous cycle track. Likely sightings feature Oriole Warbler, Giant Kingfisher, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, Bearded Barbet, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Abyssinian Roller, Lizard Buzzard, and Greater Painted-snipe—a superb introduction to The Gambia’s spectacular birdlife and a must for photographers.

Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia’s oldest and most iconic wildlife sanctuary. Located just 20 kilometres from Banjul, Abuko is famed for its rich mosaic of gallery forest, woodland, and wetland habitats, supporting over 270 bird species — a true paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. Your adventure begins beneath the shaded canopy of Lamin Stream’s gallery forest, where the air hums with birdsong and the flutter of butterflies. Here, you might spot Western Bluebill, Giant Kingfisher, Violet and Green Turacos, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, and the striking African Pied Hornbill. As we move through the reserve, the forest gradually opens into the Guinea Savannah, home to Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and Copper Sunbird.

Beyond the birds, Abuko teems with colourful butterflies, monkeys, and lush vegetation, offering endless photo opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious traveller, this tour promises an authentic taste of The Gambia’s wild beauty — a journey through one of West Africa’s most enchanting natural treasures.

Day 1 – Brufut Woods & Tanji Bird Reserve

Morning – Brufut Woods
Start the day early at Brufut Woods, one of the most productive forest patches in the coastal area. The dense woodland, dotted with open clearings, offers superb views of colorful forest and savanna species.
Expected species: Violet and Green Turacos, Long-tailed Nightjar,African Pied and Red-billed Hornbills, African Golden Oriole, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Fine-spotted and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers Pygmy, Grey-headed, and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl

Afternoon – Tanji Bird Reserve & Tanji Beach
After lunch, head to Tanji Bird Reserve and nearby Tanji Beach, where coastal scrub meets mangroves and sandy shorelines. The lagoons attract thousands of waterbirds and seabirds.
Expected species: Caspian, Royal, and Sandwich Terns, Grey-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Osprey, Western Reef Heron, Pink-backed Pelican, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, and Bar-tailed Godwit ,Senegal Thick-knee and Wattled Lapwing

Return to your lodge for dinner.

Day 2 – Tujereng Woods & Kartong Wetland

Morning – Tujereng Woods
Explore Tujereng Woods, a rich mix of dry woodland, farmland, and wetland edge vegetation. This site is excellent for open-country species and Palearctic migrants.
Expected species: Osprey, Shikra, Lanner Falcon, Senegal Eremomela, Northern Crombec, Chestnut-bellied Starling, White-fronted Black Chat, Woodchat Shrike, Northern Puffback, Pygmy Sunbird, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Abyssinian Roller, Little Bee-eater

Afternoon – Kartong Wetland (Sand Mine)
Continue to Kartong Wetland, a stunning reclaimed sand mine transformed into freshwater pools and marshes. A true bird-photography hotspot with over 365 recorded species.
Expected species: African Pygmy Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Purple and Squacco Herons, African Spoonbill, Greater Painted-snipe, Black Crake, and Purple Swamphen, Blue-cheeked and Little Bee-eaters, Malachite and Giant Kingfishers, Palm-nut Vulture, Osprey, and Lizard Buzzard

End the day watching the sunset over the wetlands — a fitting finale to a memorable two-day birding experience in The Gambia’s most diverse habitats.