15-Day Gambia Birding and Photography Tour with Lamin Camara
A private 15-day Gambia birding journey extending from the coast to Tendaba, Kudang, Kuntaur, Wassu, Jajari, Marakissa and Kartong.
About this tour
Use fifteen days to extend beyond the coastal circuit and follow Lamin Camara’s Gambia programme up-river. The route reaches Kudang, Kuntaur, Wassu Quarry and Jajari before returning through Tendaba, Marakissa, Kartong, Tanji, Kotu and Lamin rice fields.
Trip style: a private itinerary for birders and photographers seeking more inland coverage. Route features include red-throated bee-eater colonies, river habitats, rice fields, wetlands, mangroves, bird hides and lodge-garden birding.
Pricing status: the 2024-2025 rate shown for this programme starts at EUR 1350 per person for two travellers. Current availability and final terms are confirmed after inquiry.
Compare this inland-focused programme with other Gambia birdwatching tours.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to The Gambia.
Birds you can spot
Bucorvus abyssinicus
target
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
Actophilornis africanus
target
Ardea goliath
target
Lepidopygia nana
target
Corythornis cristatus
target
Ptilopsis leucotis
target
Pandion haliaetus
target
Dryoscopus senegalensis
target
Merops bulocki
target
Merops malimbicus
target
Batis senegalensis
target
Euplectes macroura
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrival Banjul airport. Drive to Mandinari River Lodge. Depending onthe arrival time you have time to discover the area around the lodge (Tanbi Wetlands) and the beautiful garden with own bird hide of the lodge.(Overnight stay: Mandinari River Lodge)
Morning walk through the mangroves, rice fields and wetlands of Mandinari. Afternoon walk to the petrol station area where many raptors can be found.(Overnight stay: Mandinari River Lodge)
After breakfast we start driving to Tendaba Camp (142 km) with stop in Farasutu forest on the way going. Arrival in the camp around lunchtime. After being settled in your room you visit one of the two bird hides around the camp.(Overnight stay: Tendaba Camp)
Breakfast at 7.30am, morning boat trip to the mangroves on the north bank of the river Gambia. After lunch and relax time for the guide, we discover the Kwinella bushtrack.(Overnight stay: Tendaba Camp)
After breakfast we start driving to Kudang (114 km) Kakuba Garden Hotel. Road birding and stops at wetlands and rice fields on the way going. Lunch in Kakuba Garden and evening walk around the area.(Overnight stay: Kakuba Garden Hotel)
Early breakfast and drive to the next lodge in Kuntaur (73 km) which is situated on the north bank of the river Gambia. We cross the river with the local ferry in Georgetown. Road birding on the way and evening walk through the rice fields in Kuntaur.(Overnight stay: Kairoh Garden)
Morning walk in Wassu quarry where we meet with the colony of redthroated bee-eaters. In the afternoon, after lunch- and relax time, we do the boat trip to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project.(Overnight stay: Kairoh Garden)
After breakfast we drive along the north bank towards Jajari village(115 km), with road birding and stops on the way. Lunch in Morgan Kunda lodge and relax time in the beautiful garden of the lodge. Evening walk in the surrounding of the lodge.(Overnight stay: Morgan Kunda Lodge)
We take the Senegambia bridge to return to the south bank of The Gambia and stay another night in Tendaba Camp (70 km). In the afternoon we visit the second bird hide.(Overnight stay: Tendaba Camp)
From Tendaba Camp we start driving to Marakissa (131 km). On the way we make a stop in a bird hide in Killy. Afternoon walk in the surroundings of the camp.(Overnight stay: Marakissa River Camp)
Morning walk at the Marakissa wetlands, the rest of the day we relax in the garden of the lodge where many bird species come for drinking at the little pools that are placed everywhere in the camp.(Overnight stay: Marakissa River Camp)
After breakfast we start driving back towards the coast (36 km), where we will spend the night in Stala Lodge in the village of Kartong in the southwest of The Gambia near the Senegalese border. Evening walk to the wetlands of Kartong.(Overnight stay: Stala Lodge)
Morning walk to the Kartong Bird watching Observatory and thebeach. After lunch we make a beautiful boat trip on the river Halahin.(Overnight stay: Stala Lodge)
After breakfast we start driving to the next lodge (38 km), with stops along the way in Gunjur and Tanji, the famous fish marketplace. After lunch in Tanji we settle in Tanema Creek Lodge for our last night and we make a little walk around the lodge.(Overnight stay: Tanema Creek)
Depending on the flight hours, we spend the morning in Kotu or in Lamin rice fields before driving you back to the airport.
Locations & map
- Mandinari River Lodge - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Farasutu Forest - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Tendaba Camp - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kudang - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kuntaur rice fields - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Wassu quarry - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Jajari village - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Marakissa wetlands - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kartong wetlands - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Gunjur and Tanji coast - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kotu and Lamin ricefields - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Availability and current pricing are confirmed after inquiry; published sample rates are in EUR.
Included
- English-speaking bird guide - Birding and bird photography guidance
- Airport pickup and return - Included on published multi-day programmes
- Full-board lodge accommodation - Included on published multi-day programmes
- Boat trips and reserve entrances - Boat trips, nature parks and bird hides are included where part of the itinerary
- Bottled daytime water - Included during daytime field activities
Not included
- International flights - Not included
- Travel insurance - Guests arrange suitable travel and medical insurance
- Lodge drinks, tips and personal expenses - Not included
Transport & stays
- Private road transport Road transfers link Banjul, lodges, wetlands, forests, river crossings and birding stops. | Meet: Banjul airport or agreed pickup point | Pickup: Airport and coastal pickup by agreement
- Boat Boat trips are included on published river and mangrove days where listed. | Meet: Route-specific lodge or river landing | Pickup: Included within the final itinerary
Accommodations
- Mandinari River Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
- Tendaba Camp Lodge or camp accommodation
- Kakuba Garden Hotel Lodge or camp accommodation
- Kairoh Garden Lodge or camp accommodation
- Morgan Kunda Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
- Marakissa River Camp Lodge or camp accommodation
- Stala Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
- Tanema Creek Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Can the published route be changed?
Yes. The source notes that places and lodges can be changed on request, and the final route is confirmed after inquiry.
Is this suitable for photographers?
Yes. The tours are designed for birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers, with time in wetlands, forests, hides, mangroves and river habitats.
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. The route is planned around strong birding habitats and published target lists, but all sightings are wild and depend on season and field conditions.