Tour Highlights
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Tour type: Fully private, tailored to your own pace
Board basis: Full board
Guidance: Personally guided by Fatou Colley
Price: From €1,300 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
Solo traveller: €1,650
Single room supplement: €120
(Flights not included)
Gambia: 15-Day Bird Photography Tour – Classic Route
During this 15-day journey, we explore multiple regions across The Gambia, each offering its own character and species diversity. From riverine habitats to inland rice paddies and open savannah, every location adds new photographic perspectives.
Thanks to a flexible daily rhythm, there is ample time for observation and photography without rushing. The balance between travel, birding, and rest makes this itinerary ideal for photographers seeking both variety and comfort.
This 15-day bird photography tour in The Gambia follows a carefully designed classic route, combining diverse habitats, changing landscapes, and excellent photographic opportunities. Mangroves, wetlands, rice fields and savannah areas create constant variety throughout the journey.
Designed for small, fully private groups, this tour moves at a relaxed pace with no more than two nights in one location. This ensures optimal timing for bird activity and the best light conditions at every site.
You can also discover my full range of Birding Tours in Gambia And Senegal, each designed for photographers and birdwatchers who value variety, flexibility, and personal guidance.
Day 9: Return to Tendaba Camp
Today, you travel to the south bank of the Gambia River and stay again at Tendaba Camp. In the afternoon, explore one of the bird hides.
Day 10: Marakissa and Killy Bird Hide
Travel to Marakissa and visit the bird hide in Killy, an excellent location for bird photography. In the afternoon, discover the surroundings of the camp.
Day 11: Marakissa Wetlands
Explore the Marakissa wetlands in the morning, an area rich in flora and fauna. In the afternoon, relax in the bird-friendly garden of the camp.
Day 12: Kartong and the Wetlands
Travel to Kartong with a stay at Stala Lodge, a location close to the border with Senegal. In the evening, take a trip to the wetlands.
Day 13: Kartong Observatory and Halahin River
In the morning, visit the Kartong Bird Watching Observatory. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Halahin River, an idyllic spot for bird photography.
Day 14: Gunjur, Tanji Fish Market, and Tanema Creek Lodge
Visit the bustling Tanji fish market in the morning and then travel to Tanema Creek Lodge. In the afternoon, take a trip around the lodge's surroundings.
Day 15: Kotu Bridge and Lamin Rice Fields
Depending on flight times, visit the iconic Kotu Bridge, a famous bird-spotting location. If time allows, take a final trip to the Lamin rice fields.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of the Tanbi Wetlands
Upon arrival in Banjul, you’ll travel to the charming Mandinari River Lodge, where you’ll explore the stunning surroundings of the Tanbi Wetlands and the lodge’s lush garden. This serene natural area provides the perfect start for bird photographers.
Day 2: Walk Through the Mandinari Wetlands
In the morning, enjoy a walk through mangroves, rice fields, and wetlands. In the afternoon, visit bird hotspots known for raptors, offering excellent opportunities for capturing striking photos.
Day 3: Journey to Tendaba Camp and Farasutu Forest
After a delicious breakfast, set off for Tendaba Camp. Along the way, visit the bird-rich Farasutu Forest and several other hotspots. In the afternoon, explore one of the bird hides near the camp.
Day 4: Boat Trip and Kwinella Bush Track
Start the morning with a scenic boat trip along the Gambia River. In the afternoon, visit the Kwinella bush track, a place where nature and wildlife thrive together.
Day 5: Wetlands and Kakuba Garden Hotel
Today, travel to Kakuba Garden Hotel with stops at expansive wetlands and rice fields along the way. In the afternoon, explore the area around the hotel.
Day 6: Georgetown to Kuntaur
Travel along the north bank of the Gambia River to Kuntaur. Along the way, cross the river on a local ferry and visit bird-rich areas. In the evening, discover the beautiful rice fields of Kuntaur.
Day 7: Red-throated Bee-eaters and Chimpanzee Project
In the morning, visit a colony of red-throated bee-eaters—a highlight for bird photographers. In the afternoon, take a boat trip to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, where you can also photograph hippos.
Day 8: Jajari and Morgan Kunda Lodge
Journey to the village of Jajari, stopping at bird hotspots along the way. After lunch at Morgan Kunda Lodge, take a trip to explore the surrounding area.