18-Day Gambia and Senegal West-Central Birding Tour with Lamin Camara
An 18-day private Gambia and west-central Senegal route through Tendaba, Kuntaur, Kaolack, Kousmar Island, the Saloum Delta and Kartong.
About this tour
Follow an 18-day route from The Gambia into west-central Senegal and back to the coast. The itinerary combines Mandinari, Tendaba, Kuntaur, Kaolack, Kousmar Island, Toubacouta and the Sine Saloum Delta before returning by ferry toward Kartong, Tanji, Kotu, Mandinari and Lamin rice fields.
Trip style: a cross-border birding and photography programme built around mangroves, river and delta habitats, rice fields, quarries, wetlands, coastal sites, bird reserves and the evening kite roost at Kousmar Island.
Pricing status: the recorded 18-day Gambia and Senegal rate is EUR 1900 per person for two people or more. Current availability and final terms are confirmed after inquiry.
Compare this west-central itinerary with other Gambia birdwatching tours.
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 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)
Today we cross the border with Senegal in farafeni, after thepaperwork at the border we drive up to Kaolack (106 km), the city is located on the banks of the river Saloum. After check-in and lunch in the hotel we do an afternoon walk to the riverside where flamingo’s, black storks and other birds can be seen(Overnight stay: Le Relais de Kaolack)
Morning walk to the riverside and discover the little garden withdrinking place for birds in the hotel. Afternoon walk to Ndiaffatte village where we cross the river to Kousmar Island, well known as the place where a colony of swallow-tailed kites are coming to sleep every evening.(Overnight stay: Le relais de Kaolack)
After breakfast we start driving to Toubacouta (70 km), a little village in the Sine Saloum delta, a paradise for birders and photographers! Lunch and relax time at the lodge or hotel, afternoon walk around the area.(Overnight stay: Mariamacounda Lodge or Hotel Keur saloum)
Boat trip through the Saloum delta up to the ocean for birdphotography(Overnight stay: Mariamacounda Lodge or Hotel Keur Saloum)
After breakfast we start driving towards the Gambian border, where we take the ferry from Barra to Banjul. This can take some time, but it’s worth it! After ferry crossing we drive to our next location and lodge in Kartong (63 km). Afternoon walk to the wetlands of Kartong.(Overnight stay: Stala Lodge)
Morning walk to the Kartong Bird watching Observatory and the beach. 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 . After lunch in Tanji we settle in Tanema Creek Lodge. Afternoon walk around the lodge(Overnight stay: Tanema Creek)
Morning walk to Brufut woods, Lunch and afternoon walk in Tanjibirdreserve and Fishmarket.(Overnight stay: Tanema Creek)
After breakfast we leave the lodge and go for a morning walk andboat trip to Kotu bridge. After having lunch in a local restaurant we start driving back to Mandinari River lodge, where we started this tour. Free time in the lodge.(Overnight stay: Mandinari river Lodge)
Depending on the flight hours, we spend the morning in Lamin rice fields or Abuko Nature Reserve before taking you 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.)
- 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.)
- Kaolack and River Saloum - Senegal (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kousmar Island - Senegal (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Toubacouta and Sine Saloum delta - Senegal (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kartong wetlands - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Tanji Bird Reserve - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- Kotu Bridge - Gambia (Birding stop on the published route.)
- 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
- Le Relais de Kaolack Lodge or camp accommodation
- Mariamacounda Lodge or Hotel Keur Saloum 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.