18-Day Gambia and Senegal South-East Birding Tour with Lamin Camara
An 18-day Gambia and south-east Senegal birding and photography route through Mandinari, Tendaba, Kudang, Bansang, Wassadou and Kedougou.
About this tour
This 18-day south-east route combines The Gambia with south-eastern Senegal, linking Mandinari, Tendaba, Kudang, Bansang, Campement de Wassadou, Niokolo-Koba National Park, Kedougou, Dindefelo, Kuntaur, Wassu, Jajari, Bintang Bolong and Marakissa.
The programme is built for birding and photography across mangroves, river habitats, rice fields, quarry colonies, inland wetlands, bush tracks and Senegalese national-park landscapes. The published 18-day Gambia/Senegal rate is for two persons or more at EUR 1900 per person; current availability and final terms are confirmed after inquiry.
Birds you can spot
Bucorvus abyssinicus
target
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
Dryoscopus senegalensis
target
Actophilornis africanus
target
Lepidopygia nana
target
Merops malimbicus
target
Ardea goliath
target
Corythornis cristatus
target
Ptilopsis leucotis
target
Merops bulocki
target
Batis senegalensis
target
Pandion haliaetus
target
Euplectes macroura
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrival Banjul airport. Drive to Mandinari River Lodge. Depending on the 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
From Kudang we are driving to Bansang (60km)where we stay in River side lodge, the lodge is located on the riverbank and has a beautiful flower garden. In Bansang quarry we visit the colony of red-throated bee-eaters.(Overnight stay: Riverside Lodge, Bansang)
After breakfast we start driving towards the border with Senegal . When all the paperwork is done we drive up to the south-east of Senegal (140km) where we are going to spend the rest of the day in Campement de Wassadou, a unique place deep in the bush, with lots of birds and mammals. You will enjoy!!(Overnight stay: Campement de Wassadou)
Today we have an early breakfast before driving to our next location in Kedougou (370km). We drive through Niokolo-Koba National Park which is on the world Heritage list of UNESCO. In Kedougou we visit the Dindefelo waterfalls.(Overnight stay: Hotel Le relais de Kedougou)
We spend the day in the area for birding and photographing . The National Park has about 350 bird species and 80 species of mammals.(Overnight stay: Hotel Le relais de Kedougou)
Drive back to Wassadou, where we stay another night in Campement de Wassadou, before traveling back to The Gambia(Overnight stay: Campement de Wasadou)
On our way back to The Gambia, border crossing and some stops on the way for birding.(Overnight stay: Riverside Lodge, Bansang)
Today we go from the South bank to the North bank of the Gambia . We cross the river with the local ferry in Georgetown and drive towards Kuntaur. Evening walk through the rice fields of Kuntaur.(Overnight stay: Kairoh garden)
Morning walk in Wassu quarry where we meet another colony of red throated 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 Bintang Bolong Lodge (76 km) with birding stops on the way and a visit to the bird hide in Killy. Evening walk in the area of the lodge.(Overnight stay: Bintang Bolong Lodge)
After breakfast we drive to Marakissa, where we discover the 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)
From Marakissa we start driving back to the coast. 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.)
- Tendaba Camp - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kudang - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Bansang - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Campement de Wassadou - Senegal (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Niokolo-Koba National Park - Senegal (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kedougou and Dindefelo - Senegal (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.)
- Bintang Bolong Lodge - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Marakissa wetlands - 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
- Riverside Lodge Bansang Lodge or camp accommodation
- Campement de Wassadou Lodge or camp accommodation
- Hotel Le Relais de Kedougou Lodge or camp accommodation
- Kairoh Garden Lodge or camp accommodation
- Morgan Kunda Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
- Bintang Bolong Lodge Lodge or camp accommodation
- Marakissa River Camp 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.