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 – Maximum Species Diversity
Are you a bird photographer aiming to record the highest possible number of species in a single journey?
This 15-day bird photography tour in The Gambia is specifically designed for maximum species diversity. By frequently changing habitats and carefully selecting lodge locations, this route increases your chances of encountering a very broad range of species throughout the trip.
If you prefer a more balanced standard itinerary, you can explore the 15-Day Bird Photography Tour in Gambia – Classic Route. You can also discover my full range of Birding Tours in Gambia And Senegal, all designed for small private groups and tailored guidance.
This specialised version is ideal for photographers whose priority is diversity over lodge rhythm.
Day 7: Bansang Riverside Lodge and surroundings.
After breakfast we leave for Bansang with Road birding on the way, after lunch we explore the area that is known for its many species of sunbirds through the ideal habitat.
Day 8: Bansang Riverside and eastern surroundings.
This morning we leave by car to a very beautiful hotspot for different species of birds and birds of prey, with Road birding on the way.
Day 9: Kauren River Camp
We start this day early in the morning, after breakfast we travel to an idyllic Lodge, Kauren Kauren River Camp, this Lodge is located on a hill with a beautiful view of the Gambia River, during the drive we do Road birding. In the evening we take a walk in the area.
Day 10: Back to Tendaba Camp.
Today we travel to the south bank of the Gambia River, with Road birding on the way, and we stay back at Tendaba Camp. In the afternoon we explore one of the bird hides.
Day 11: Bintang Bolong Lodge and the bird hide in Killy.
After breakfast we leave for Bintang Bolong with Road birding on the way and a stop in Killy bird hide. After our lunch we take a walk in the area.
Day 12: Surroundings Lodge and excursion to a hotspot.
This morning we take the car and leave for a very beautiful hotspot with a good chance of very beautiful species, in the afternoon we take a walk in the area of the lodge.
Day 13: Wetlands of Marakissa River Camp.
Today we leave for another camp Marakissa River Camp, with an exploration of the rich area of flora and fauna, with Road birding on the way. In the afternoon you relax in the bird-friendly garden of the camp.
Day 14: Kartong and the Wetlands.
Travel to Kartong with a stay at Stala Lodge, a location close to the border with Senegal. In the evening we will make a trip to the wetlands.
Day 15: Kotu Bridge and Lamin Rice Fields
Depending on flight times, you will visit the iconic Kotu Bridge, a famous bird watching location. If time permits, according to your flight schedule, you will make a final trip to the Lamin Rice Fields.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Tanbi Wetlands.
Your birding tour begins upon arrival at Banjul Airport. You will travel to the charming Mandinari River Lodge, set in beautiful surroundings. There we will explore the Tanbi Wetlands and the lush garden of the lodge, where you can spot and photograph colorful birds in a serene, natural oasis, or if you prefer you can immediately visit the specially designed bird photography hut.
Day 2: Walk and Bird of Prey Spotting.
The morning starts with a walk through the mangroves, rice fields and wetlands of Mandinari, a perfect place for bird lovers. In the afternoon we will visit a hotspot rich in birds of prey, where you will have unique opportunities to take impressive photos of these majestic birds. Or do you wish to stay in the photo hut and skip a walk? The choice is yours.
Day 3: This day is dedicated to the Photo Hut.
This day is especially for photographers who want to use the photo hide, but it is also possible to make excursions, this in consultation with the guide, I will contact my contacts the day before to see if there are special species to spot in the area and possibly to photograph, there will be a moment of choice.
Day 4: Travel to Tendaba Camp and Bird hides.
After a delicious breakfast we leave for the interior to Tendaba Camp, 142 km further. Along the way we stop at various bird-rich hotspots, including the famous Farasutu forest. After arriving in Tendaba we visit one of the bird hides in the area.
Day 5: Boat trip and Kwinella Bushtrack.
We start the day with a beautiful boat trip through the mangroves along the Gambia River. This trip offers fantastic opportunities to observe and photograph water birds in their natural habitat. In the afternoon we explore the Kwinella bush track, where we enjoy the varied landscape and the local bird species.
Day 6: Wetlands and Kakuba Garden Hotel.
Today we travel to Kakuba Garden Hotel, making stops at vast wetlands and rice fields along the way. In the afternoon you will explore the area around the hotel and the Wetlands.
Itinerary for this tour.
Why This Photography Tour Is Unique
Alternating stays in carefully selected lodges spread across the whole of Gambia.
Regular changes of environment to maximise habitat diversity.
Optimal timing per location, adapted to bird activity and light conditions.
Very wide variety of landscapes and bird species, ideal for those who want to maximise species numbers.