Yellow-crowned Gonolek may be one of the first Gambian birds we see. Photo: James Lidster
Tucked away on the tropical west coast of Africa is the tiny country of Gambia. Despite its small size - just over 300 kilometres long and no more than 50 wide - the Gambia has become a favored haunt for birdwatchers from all over the world. This is because the facilities developed to allow vacationers to escape the winter gloom of Europe also give birdwatchers access to some superb habitats, most within a day’s journey of our comfortable coastal hotel.
These include sandy beaches, coastal lagoons, mangroves, dry forest and most productive of all, Abuko Nature Reserve. Here we’ll encounter bird families endemic to the continent; such as colorful wood-hoopoes and turacos, alongside more familiar Palearctic migrants and other stars of the African birding scene such as many different species of bee-eaters and rollers.
The River Gambia is the lifeblood of the country and we’ll spend one night up-river at a comfortable lodge to look for different species including the highly sought-after Egyptian Plover and the elusive Finfoot. Whether you’re looking for an introduction to birding in Africa, or just somewhere warm to spend a relaxed, bird-filled week, the Gambia is the perfect destination.
Day 1: The tour starts with a flight from London to Banjul, from where we’ll transfer to our hotel on the Atlantic coast. Hooded Vultures and Pied Crows drifting overhead will leave us in no doubt that we are in Africa and if time allows there will be chance for some birding around the lush tropical gardens of our hotel. Here such exotic species as Senegal Coucal, Green Wood Hoopoe, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, White-crowned Robin-chat, several species of glossy starlings, and Beautiful Sunbird will give us a taste of things to come. Night near Banjul.
Gambia was top notch! It was such a pleasure being on this tour - it was completely stress free – and the birds were amazing. James Lidster and the local guides were a fantastic combination. John Oates,UK November 2011
Days 2-3: Using one hotel as a base for a couple of days is a perfect way to explore some of the Gambia’s key birding sites at a relaxed pace, and during the heat of the day we can return to our hotel for a cooling swim in the pool (or the sea) or some more birding in the hotel grounds. Top of any Gambian agenda is a visit to Abuko, an area of gallery forest a short distance from our hotel. Here well-marked forest paths reveal woodland pools hosting an array of species from Hamerkop and Black-headed Herons to Giant and African Pygmy Kingfishers. The surrounding forest provides exciting and ever changing birding and we should see both Green and Violet Turacos, colorful enough at rest but even better in flight when they reveal their scarlet primaries.
Other specialities at Abuko include Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Grey-headed Bristlebill and the massive Verreaux’s Eagle Owl. At the other end of the size scale there will be such little gems as Green-backed Eremomelas, Grey-backed Camaropteras, Northern Crombecs and Yellow-breasted Apalis to seek out. Nearby we’ll spend time on the coast at Tanji where Grey-headed and Slender-billed Gulls are scattered along the beach and we hope to see the scarce White-fronted Plover among hordes of more familiar waders. The surrounding savannah scrub should produce Vieillot’s and Bearded Barbets, Yellow-billed Shrike, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-crowned Tchagra, Variable Sunbird and Oriole Warbler among many others while Ospreys and Black-shouldered Kites regularly float overhead.
We will make at least one visit to Brufut and Yundum where every available perch seems to be taken by an Abyssinian or Blue-bellied Roller and Little, Swallow-tailed, and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters buzz around like paper darts. Large Mosque Swallows sail past snapping at insects while higher up the raptors drifting past could include Lizard and Grasshopper Buzzards, a Dark Chanting Goshawk or a sleek Grey Kestrel.
Even closer to the hotel we may spend time around Kotu Creek, and various areas of wetland where we should have unbeatable views of White-faced Whistling Duck, Sacred Ibis, Pink-backed Pelican, Pied and Malachite Kingfisher and maybe a Greater Painted Snipe or two. Nights near Banjul.
Day 4: Gambia is dominated by the river of the same name that flows along the entire length of the country. From our base on the south side, we’ll make an early start today to ensure we catch the first ferry from Banjul to the north shore. On the crossing we should see Arctic Skuas and both Royal and Caspian Terns. From there we have a long drive inland to search for a very special bird, Egyptian Plover, which we hope to find feeding along the river edge. If we can drag ourselves away from these stunningly beautiful birds there will be others to distract us. Senegal Thick-knees and Spur-winged Plovers can be common and we stand a good chance of seeing Kittlitz’s Plover.
Scanning the skies here is always worthwhile (as it is throughout the tour) and resident Long-crested and Wahlberg’s Eagles may be joined by migrant Montagu’s Harriers or a passing White-backed or Ruppell’s Vulture. Following another, short, ferry crossing we’ll return to the south bank to arrive at our camp in time for dinner. After dinner, for those that wish, we’ll head out on a short night drive, hoping to see both Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars as well as a chance of Spotted Thick-knee, or maybe an elusive Bushbaby. Please note the camp here is basic, but perfectly adequate and ideally situated for birding. Night at Tendaba Camp.
Day 5: After breakfast we’ll take a boat trip to explore the secluded creeks of the river. There should be chance to see mighty Goliath Herons, diminutive Striated Herons, African Fish Eagle, African Darters, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Mouse-brown Sunbirds and this is one of the most reliable sites for African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, African Blue Flycatcher and Woolly-necked Stork, although to see all of these in one go would require some luck.
We will then start our journey back to the coast but not before checking out some local sites where we’ll search for species such as the spectacular Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rufous-crowned Roller, Senegal Batis, Brubru and White-shouldered Black Tit. On the return journey we’ll stop as and when we see anything of interest and there is a possibility of Bateleur en route, while common raptors will include both the nominate and “Yellow-billed” Black Kites and African Harrier-Hawks. Night near Banjul.
Days 6-7: Depending on how we fared before our trip upriver we’ll spend these two days seeking out any species we may have missed as well as visiting some new sites. On one day we’ll head to Pirang where we stand our best chance of seeing Black-crowned Crane and Quailfinch, as well as Long-tailed Cormorant, African Spoonbill, Wire-tailed Swallow, Plain-backed Pipit and Crested Lark. Not far from here we will explore the area around Merakissa and the Faranabanta bush track searching for Pearl-spotted Owlet, Striped Kingfisher and Fork-tailed Drongo.
More familiar European migrants will also be much in evidence and species such as Woodchat Shrike, Western Olivaceous, Subalpine and Melodious Warblers can be found among more exotic Senegal Parrots, Greater Honeyguides, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleus and Lavender Waxbills. We’ll check any areas of fresh water for flocks of Northern Red and Black-winged Red Bishops as well as a selection of weavers, thankfully still in their breeding plumage. On one evening we’ll wait until dusk at one small pool to watch Four-banded Sandgrouse coming to drink. Nights near Banjul.
Day 8: There will be chance for some final birding close to our hotel in the morning before we catch a lunchtime flight back to London where the tour concludes.
Updated: 12 December 2011
Prices
- 2012 Tour Price : $3,350*
- Single Occupancy Supplement : $90
Notes
This tour is limited to 12 participants with one WINGS and one local leader. Both will accompany the tour irrespective of group size.
* Tour invoices paid by check carry a modest discount. Details here.
* This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird. Please review the explanation of our Sunbird pricing here.