The Gambia – Birds of Coast & River
GBP 2,199.00
Price per person
Grade
Location
The Gambia
Accomodation
Hotel
Transport
Mini Bus
Tour Guide
Barry Macdonald & Dembo Sonko
Group Size
Max 8
Single Supplement
£300
International Flights
Included
Internal Flights
Tour Dates
March 14th – 21st 2027
Tour Deposit
£300
Airport Transfers
Included
Birdwatching Tour
The Gambia
Raising funds for vulture conservation
We at Natoura Voyage Wildlife Travel are committed to nature conservation as Luce and Barry have worked in this field for close to forty years. We are running this tour to raise funds for on going vulture research in West Africa and to bring awareness to the African Vulture Crisis. All proceeds from this trip will be donated to vulture research. Barry will be guiding this trip alongside a local guide. Barry spent many years based in The Gambia carrying out ornithological research up river and guiding birdwatching tours throughout the Country.
Join us on this tropical Ornithological journey. This exciting 8-day birding adventure offers a wonderful introduction to the remarkable birdlife and natural beauty of The Gambia. Combining the country’s Atlantic coastline with the rich habitats of the River Gambia upriver region, the tour is designed to provide excellent birdwatching opportunities across forests, wetlands, mangroves, savannah, and riverine woodland.
Beginning on the coast, guests will explore some of western Gambia’s finest birding locations including Brufut Forest, Tanji wetlands, and Farasutu Forest, where colourful turacos, kingfishers, bee-eaters, woodpeckers, and owls can all be encountered. The coastal section also offers opportunities to observe a variety of waders and seabirds along the Atlantic shoreline.
The journey then continues inland to the famous Tendaba region and onward to Janjangbureh Island, travelling through traditional villages and diverse natural landscapes with regular birding stops along the way. Boat excursions through the Baobolong Wetlands and along the River Gambia provide excellent chances to search for sought-after species such as African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher, and numerous herons and egrets.
Kiang West National Park adds another dimension to the tour, with opportunities to observe savannah and woodland specialists including Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bateleur Eagle, Senegal Batis, Brubru, and Bruce’s Green Pigeon.
Accommodation throughout the coastal section is comfortable and well-appointed, while the upriver lodges and camps are more simple and traditional in style. Although basic in some locations, all accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort, hospitality, excellent birding access, and authentic atmosphere, providing a true experience of rural Gambia and its outstanding wildlife areas.
Throughout the tour, guests will enjoy warm local hospitality, scenic landscapes, and expert guiding, making this an unforgettable birding experience in one of West Africa’s most rewarding and accessible wildlife destinations.
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Day 1 (March 14th 2027)
Meet at the airport for our flight to Banjul. On arrival in Banjul airport Transfer to Kombo Beach Hotel.Late Evening arrival and transfer to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time at the hotel we may be in time for the evening meal service if not a snack is offered.
Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel – All Inclusive
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Day 2 (March 15th 2027)
Brufut Forest & Tanji Birding Excursion
An early breakfast will be followed by a short drive (approximately 35 minutes) to the famous Brufut Forest, one of the finest remaining woodland habitats along the Gambian coast. This area is particularly productive during the early morning hours when bird activity is at its peak.
Target species for the morning include:
• Long-tailed Nightjar
• Yellow-bellied Coucal
• Green Crombec
• Guinea Turaco
• Violet Turaco
• Fine-spotted Woodpecker
• Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher
• Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
The forest also supports a variety of hornbills, bee-eaters, sunbirds, and raptors.
Late morning, continue to Tanji where lunch will be served at Ocean Lounge Restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and fishing village.
In the afternoon, birding continues around Tanji Beach and surrounding woodland habitats. This combination of coastal scrub, mangroves, and open shoreline often produces excellent sightings of terns, gulls, waders, and woodland birds.
Possible afternoon sightings include:
• Grey-headed Gull
• Caspian Tern
• Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
• Western Reef Heron
• Senegal Thick-knee
• African Grey Hornbill
Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel – All Inclusive
Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel – All Inclusive
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Day 3 (March 16th 2027)
Coastal Region to Tendaba Camp
After breakfast, depart the coast and begin the scenic journey inland toward Tendaba Camp, one of The Gambia’s most renowned birding destinations situated beside the mangrove-lined River Gambia.
The drive includes several birding stops through farmland, savannah, woodland, and wetland habitats. These transitional ecosystems provide excellent opportunities for observing rollers, shrikes, raptors, and storks.
Possible sightings en route include:
• Abyssinian Roller
• Senegal Parrot
• African Harrier-Hawk
• Bearded Barbet
• Black-headed Lapwing
• Double-spurred Francolin
Lunch will be served upon arrival at Tendaba Camp.
In the afternoon, birding will focus around Tendaba Primary School pools and surrounding woodland areas, which are known for attracting a variety of waterbirds and passerines.
Expected species may include:
• Blue-bellied Roller
• Northern Puffback
• Grey Woodpecker
• Black Crake
• African Jacana
• Violet Turaco
Accommodation: Tendaba Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 4 (March 17th 2027)
Baobolong Wetland – Wassu – Janjangbureh
An early morning boat excursion through the Baobolong Wetland Reserve offers one of the best opportunities in The Gambia to search for the elusive African Finfoot.
Other species regularly encountered include:
• African Fish Eagle
• Goliath Heron
• Pied Kingfisher
• Palm-nut Vulture
• Spur-winged Goose
• Malachite Kingfisher
Following the boat trip, continue upriver toward Janjangbureh with birding stops along the route.
Lunch will be taken at Kaureng Restaurant.
After lunch, continue toward Wassu, an excellent location for observing several species of bee-eaters including:
• Northern Carmine Bee-eater
• Little Bee-eater
• Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
The journey then continues to the ferry crossing before arriving at Janjangbureh Island in the evening.
Accommodation: Island Hotel, Janjangbureh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 5 (March 18th 2027)
Day 5 – Thursday, 18th March 2027
Janjangbureh River Excursion & Island Birding
After breakfast, enjoy a morning boat trip along the tranquil channels surrounding Janjangbureh Island.
This peaceful section of the River Gambia offers superb opportunities for close bird observation and photography.
Target species include:
• African Finfoot
• Shining-blue Kingfisher
• Swamp Flycatcher
• Grey-headed Kingfisher
• Giant Kingfisher
• African Fish Eagle
• White-backed Night Heron
The surrounding riverine vegetation may also reveal crocodiles, monitor lizards, and troops of monkeys.
Lunch will be served at the hotel before an afternoon birding session at the far end of the island, where open woodland and riverside habitat attract a wide variety of species.
Possible sightings include:
• Black-headed Gonolek
• Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
• African Paradise Flycatcher
• Oriole Warbler
• Lavender Waxbill
Accommodation: Island Hotel, Janjangbureh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 6 (March 19th 2027)
Day 6 – Friday, 19th March 2027
South Bank Road – Kiang West National Park – Tendaba
Depart Janjangbureh after breakfast and travel westward along the South Bank Road toward Tendaba Camp with multiple birding stops along the way.
A picnic lunch will be enjoyed during the journey.
In the afternoon, continue into Kiang West National Park, one of The Gambia’s most important protected woodland and savannah ecosystems.
Key target species here include:
• White-fronted Black Chat
• Brubru
• Black Scimitarbill
• Bateleur Eagle
• Senegal Batis
• Bruce’s Green Pigeon
• Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
The park is also home to several mammal species including warthogs, monkeys, and occasionally bushbuck.
Return to Tendaba Camp before sunset.
Accommodation: Tendaba Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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Day 7 (March 20th 2027)
Day 7 – Saturday, 20th March 2027
Kiang West National Park to the Coast
After breakfast, depart Tendaba and begin the return journey toward the coast via the Kiang West North/South Road.
Morning birding will focus on woodland edges, rice fields, and wetland areas where mixed feeding flocks are often encountered.
Possible sightings include:
• Yellow-crowned Gonolek
• African Golden Oriole
• White-crowned Robin-Chat
• Violet-backed Starling
• Grasshopper Buzzard
• Red-throated Bee-eater
Lunch will be served at Jamorai Lodge.
In the afternoon, enjoy relaxed birding around the lodge grounds and nearby habitats before continuing back to the coast.
Overnight at Kombo Beach Hotel – All Inclusive
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Day 8 (March 21st 2027)
Day 8 – Sunday, 21st March 2027
Farasutu Forest & Departure
After an early breakfast, depart for Farasutu Forest, approximately 45 minutes from the coast.
This community-managed forest reserve is one of the finest birding sites in western Gambia and offers excellent opportunities for observing secretive forest species.
Target birds include:
• Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
• White-backed Night Heron
• Buff-spotted Woodpecker
• Grey-headed Bristlebill
• Green Hylia
• African Paradise Flycatcher
Following the morning excursion, return to the hotel to freshen up and prepare for departure.
An early lunch will be served before your airport transfer and onward international flight.
