James Lidster on his recently completed tour of Gambia

I recently completed my 12th tour to the Gambia and was once again blown away by the amazing birds and friendly people (now keener than ever to attract tourism). We use just two bases during our eight-day tour, with six nights at a comfortable hotel on the coast and a couple of nights upriver, where we take a relaxed boat trip through the mangroves.

Boating through the mangroves

The birds never disappoint with the expected rollers, bee-eaters, kingfishers, including African Pygmy, and sunbirds being complemented by scores of herons and egrets, owls including Verreaux's Eagle and African Wood, both Long-tailed  and Standard-winged Nightjars and of course the star of the trip, Egyptian Plover.

Broad-billed Roller

African Pygmy Kingfisher

Long-tailed Nightjar

Egyptian Plover

Raptors are everywhere in the Gambia and it remains one of the easiest places in the world to see Beaudouin's Snake-eagle.

Beaudouin's Snake-eagle

With temperatures over 85 degrees on most days it is an ideal location to escape the cold winter weather, and sit by a water hole waiting for Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Red-cheeked Cordonbleu and Red-billed Firefinches to come and drink.

Orange-cheeked Waxbill and Red-billed Firefinch

 
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu

James will be returning to the Gambia in December 2015