Brufut Forest & Tanji Bird Reserve

• We begin our journey in the peaceful Brufut Forest, home to iconic species such as Long-tailed Nightjar, Yellow-bellied Coucal, and Green & Violet Turacos. The forest canopy reveals a vibrant array of species, including Senegal Parrot, Bearded Barbet, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, African Paradise Flycatcher, Black-crowned Tchagra, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Oriole Warbler, African Golden Oriole, Variable & Splendid Sunbirds, African Thrush, and other colorful woodland gems.

• Enjoy lunch at Ocean Lodge in Tanji, then continue to Tanji Bird Reserve & Beach, where the shoreline comes alive with Western Reef Heron, Black Heron, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, and a wide selection of gulls and terns such as Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Slender-billed, Lesser Crested, and Grey-headed Gull, along with Ruddy Turnstone, Oystercatcher, and other waders.

Return for dinner and overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel

Accommodation Kombo Beach Hotel – All inclusive

Abuko Nature Reserve & Lamin Rice Fields

• Explore the lush forest of Abuko

Nature Reserve, where you may encounter Green Hylia, Green Turaco, Little Greenbul, Western Bluebill, African Jacana, and spectacular kingfisher species including Malachite, Giant, Blue-breasted, and African Pygmy Kingfisher. Keep an eye out for Palm-nut Vulture, Shikra, African Grey Hornbill, Fine-spotted Woodpecker and other forest specialists.

• Have lunch overlooking the mangroves at Lamin Lodge, then continue to Lamin

Rice Fields, a haven for wetland species such as Black-winged and Northern Red Bishops, Senegal Thick-knee, Yellow Wagtail (seasonal), White-faced Whistling Duck, Purple and Squacco Herons, African Swamphen, Black Crake, and jacanas gliding across the rice paddies.

Accommodation Kombo Beach Hotel – All inclusive

 Farasutu Forest & Pirang Forest

• This morning, visit the serene Farasutu Forest, renowned for elusive and rare species including Grey’s Eagle- Owl, White-backed Night Heron, Buff-spotted & Cardinal Woodpeckers, African Green Pigeon, and Klaas’s Cuckoo. Additional sightings may include African Goshawk, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Western Olive Sunbird, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Green Crombec, and Little Sparrowhawk.

• After lunch at Jamorai Lodge, move on to Pirang Forest, where specialties include Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl,

Crested Helmetshrike, Collared Sunbird, Green Crombec, Coloured Sunbird, and more. Forest edges often host African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, Gray-headed Bristlebill, Fork-tailed Drongo, and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (seasonal).

Accommodation Kombo Beach Hotel – All inclusive

Marakissa Bird Reserve is one of the finest birdwatching locations in western Gambia, offering a rich variety of habitats including riverine forest, wetlands, woodland, scrub, and open water along the Allahein River near the Senegal border. The reserve is especially well known for its excellent photographic opportunities and close views of many colourful West African bird species. Visitors regularly encounter several kingfisher species including Giant Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, and Grey-headed Kingfisher. The forested areas support spectacular birds such as Violet Turaco, Guinea Turaco, Green Wood Hoopoe, Bearded Barbet, and Fine-spotted Woodpecker, while the wetland and river habitats provide opportunities to see African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, African Jacana, Black Heron, and Goliath Heron. Bee-eaters, rollers, raptors, owls, sunbirds, and flycatchers are also commonly recorded throughout the reserve, making it an exceptional all-round birding destination. Early morning and late afternoon are particularly productive, when birds gather around the camp’s natural water features and feeding areas, often allowing superb close-up views and photography.

Lunch at Marakissa Resturant

Explore Penyem woods, possible for Grey Kestrel, Yellow White eye, Tawny Flanked Prinia, Black Headed Weaver, White Shouldered Black Tit and African Pied Wagtail

Accommodation Kombo Beach Hotel – All inclusive

Kartong Wetlands & Berending Woods

• Head to the rich wetlands of Kartong, where the tranquil lagoons shelter African Pygmy Goose, Northern Puffback, White-throated Bee-eater, Spur-winged Goose, African Darter, Sacred Ibis, Little Bittern, and the spectacular Blue-bellied Roller. With a backdrop of palms and mudflats, this area is a paradise for photography and peaceful bird observation.

• Lunch is taken at Stalla Restaurant, followed by birding in Berending Woods, known for species such as Senegal Batis, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Northern Crombec, African Black-headed Oriole, Abyssinian Roller, Purple Glossy Starling, and the striking Red-necked Falcon,

Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel 

– Full-Day Birding in Kampant

• Spend the entire day exploring the diverse habitats of the Kampant area. Open woodlands and savannas may produce sightings of Brown

Snake Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Hoopoe, Red-throated Bee-eater, White-headed Lapwing, Black Scimitarbill, and in the right season, Exclamatory Paradise Whydah in full breeding plumage. A picnic lunch is enjoyed in the field before an

afternoon of relaxed birding.

Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel 

Flight to UK

Breakfast at hotel. Morning birding in Kotu stream area. Early lunch at hotel – this could be a bit more substantial if possible. Afternoon transfer to the airport