18-Day Gambia and Senegal South-East Birding Tour with Lamin Camara
An 18-day private birding and photography journey through The Gambia and south-east Senegal, including Tendaba, Wassadou, Niokolo-Koba and Kedougou.
About this tour
Connect The Gambia with south-eastern Senegal on an 18-day birding and photography route. The programme links Mandinari, Tendaba, Kudang, Bansang, Campement de Wassadou, Niokolo-Koba National Park, Kedougou, Dindefelo, Kuntaur, Wassu, Jajari, Bintang Bolong and Marakissa.
Trip style: a cross-border itinerary spanning mangroves, river habitats, rice fields, quarry colonies, inland wetlands, bush tracks and national-park landscapes in Senegal.
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.
See the full selection of Gambia birdwatching tours to compare this south-east route with coastal and west-central alternatives.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to The Gambia.
Birds you can spot
Bucorvus abyssinicus
target
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
Actophilornis africanus
target
Ispidina picta
target
Ardea goliath
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
Day 1
Arrival and a first look around Mandinari
After landing at Banjul airport, travel to Mandinari River Lodge. Depending on when you arrive, explore the surrounding Tanbi Wetlands or use the lodge's garden and bird hide for an introduction to local birdlife.
Overnight: Mandinari River Lodge.
Day 2
Mandinari wetland walk and raptor outing
Morning birding follows a walk through Mandinari's rice fields, wetlands and mangroves. The afternoon walk visits the petrol station area in search of raptors, with another night at the lodge.
Overnight: Mandinari River Lodge.
Day 3
Farasutu Forest on the journey inland
Breakfast precedes a 142 km drive to Tendaba Camp, with Farasutu Forest as a birding stop along the way. Arrive near lunchtime and settle into your room before heading to one of the two nearby bird hides.
Overnight: Tendaba Camp.
Day 4
Mangrove boat trip and Kwinella trail
The day begins with breakfast at 7:30 AM and a morning boat trip on the north-bank mangroves of the River Gambia. Following lunch and a rest for the guide, explore Kwinella bushtrack on land.
Overnight: Tendaba Camp.
Day 5
Kudang via wetlands and rice fields
After breakfast, drive 114 km to Kudang, birding along the road and stopping in rice-field and wetland areas. Lunch is at Kakuba Garden Hotel. An evening walk takes in the area around this overnight stop.
Overnight: Kakuba Garden Hotel.
Day 6
Bansang quarry and Riverside Lodge
Travel from Kudang to Bansang, a distance of 60 km. Riverside Lodge provides a riverbank base with a flower garden. Visit Bansang quarry to look for its Red-throated Bee-eater colony.
Overnight: Riverside Lodge, Bansang.
Day 7
Across the Senegal border to Wassadou
Leave after breakfast for Senegal, completing the border paperwork before continuing toward Wassadou in the southeast. This stage covers 140 km. Spend the remainder of the day at Campement de Wassadou, a bush setting with opportunities to watch birds and mammals.
Overnight: Campement de Wassadou.
Day 8
Through Niokolo-Koba to Kedougou
After an early breakfast, take the 370 km journey to Kedougou. The route passes through Niokolo-Koba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and includes a visit to Dindefelo waterfalls in the Kedougou area.
Overnight: Hotel Le relais de Kedougou.
Day 9
Birding and photography around Kedougou
Spend the day birding and taking photographs in the area. Niokolo-Koba's reported diversity is approximately 350 bird species and 80 mammal species; those figures describe the park, rather than an expected tally for the day. Stay a second night at the same Kedougou hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Le relais de Kedougou.
Day 10
Return to Wassadou
Drive back to Wassadou for another night at Campement de Wassadou. This overnight stop comes before the return journey to The Gambia.
Overnight: Campement de Wassadou.
Day 11
Back into The Gambia with birding stops
Return across the border to The Gambia, stopping to bird along the way. The day's overnight destination is Riverside Lodge in Bansang.
Overnight: Riverside Lodge, Bansang.
Day 12
Georgetown crossing to the north bank
Use the local ferry at Georgetown to cross the River Gambia, leaving the south bank for the north. Continue to Kuntaur and take an evening walk through its rice fields.
Overnight: Kairoh Garden.
Day 13
Wassu quarry and the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project
The morning visit to Wassu quarry looks for another Red-throated Bee-eater colony. After lunch and a rest break, visit the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project on an afternoon boat excursion.
Overnight: Kairoh Garden.
Day 14
North-bank birding toward Jajari
Following breakfast, drive 115 km along the north bank to Jajari village, making birding stops en route. At Morgan Kunda Lodge, have lunch and spend time relaxing in the garden. An evening walk explores the surroundings.
Overnight: Morgan Kunda Lodge.
Day 15
Across Senegambia Bridge to Tendaba
Return to the south bank via Senegambia Bridge on the 70 km journey to Tendaba Camp. The afternoon is devoted to the second bird hide, with another overnight stay at camp.
Overnight: Tendaba Camp.
Day 16
Killy bird hide and Bintang Bolong
Drive 76 km from Tendaba Camp to Bintang Bolong Lodge. The journey includes birding stops and a visit to Killy's bird hide. Walk around the lodge area in the evening.
Overnight: Bintang Bolong Lodge.
Day 17
Marakissa wetlands and drinking pools
After breakfast, drive to Marakissa to explore the wetlands. The remaining time is spent relaxing in the lodge garden, where the small pools offer a chance to watch birds coming to drink.
Overnight: Marakissa River Camp.
Day 18
From Marakissa to the coast and airport
Leave Marakissa for the coast. If your flight time permits, stop for morning birding at Kotu or the Lamin rice fields before continuing 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.)
2 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
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. You can request changes to the birding stops and lodges. Agree the final itinerary before booking.
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.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.