ITINERARY

DAY 1: A morning flight from UK to Banjul, followed by transfer to our hotel. On arrival there should be time to enjoy some birding in the hotel’s spacious grounds, where White-crowned Robin-chat, Yellowcrowned Gonolek and Red-billed Hornbill are just three of the many colourful species that can be found. Overnight – Senegambia Beach Hotel.

DAYS 2-4: We will spend these three days exploring some of the many excellent birdwatching sites that are located within easy reach of our hotel. These include The Gambia’s best-known reserve, Abuko, a fine example of mature riverine forest with secluded pools, surrounded by more open savannah woodland. We’ll also visit the coastal Tanji Reserve where African Hobby and Red-necked Falcon are often seen. The bushes here hold Palearctic migrants such as Melodious and Olivaceous Warblers as well as resident Swallow-tailed and Little Bee-eaters, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Oriole Warbler, Bearded Barbet and Variable Sunbird. The shoreline may have Audouin’s Gull among the many Grey-headed Gulls, Caspian and Royal Terns. An even better place to see shorebirds will be the Bund Road on the edge of Banjul. Here we can look for Slender-billed Gulls and Pinkbacked Pelicans and familiar species such as Ruddy Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Sanderling. The Farabanta bush track is well known for its owls and raptors. Overnights – Senegambia Beach Hotel.

DAYS 5-6: We leave the coast and head ‘upriver’ for a two-night stay at Tendaba Camp, located on the south bank of the Gambia River. Here we will enjoy one of the highlights, a cruise among the mangroves, exploring the creeks and channels. On land, in the surrounding area, there is also plenty to see in a variety of habitats and this is a good place to find Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bruce’s Green Pigeon and Long-crested Eagle. During this period we have a chance to encounter the rare Egyptian Plover, which would certainly be one of the highlights of the tour Overnights – Tendaba Camp.

DAY 7: We begin our journey back to the coast, birdwatching en route, for our final night. Overnight – Senegambia Beach Hotel.

DAY 8: Birding at coastal sites before driving to Banjul Airport to catch our return flight to the UK.