Gambia & Senegal: 15-Day Bird Photography Tour (10 Days Senegal / 5 Days Gambia)
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 €2,500 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
(Flights not included)
This unique 15-day birding and photography expedition combines the very best of The Gambia and Senegal: two neighbours boasting an incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and avian life across West Africa. During this fully inclusive tour, you will spend 5 days in The Gambia and 10 days in Senegal, creating a true cross-border birding experience with distinct photographic highlights.
The journey begins in the tranquil surroundings of Mandinari, where you can capture the colourful birdlife of the river and mangroves from a well-equipped photography hide. From there, you cross the border into Senegal’s Saloum Delta, a breathtaking mosaic of creeks, mangroves, and sandbanks along the Atlantic flyway migration route. Here, you will enjoy an exclusive boat trip in search of the rare White-crested Tiger Heron, followed by woodland walks where numerous forest species reveal themselves.
Heading further north, you will discover the bird-rich areas around Kaolack, the vast wetlands of the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, and the savannas and riverbanks of Richard Toll and Podor, part of the Sahelian wetlands and river systems that support remarkable species diversity. A visit to Saint-Louis and Touba, where the elusive Egyptian Plover can be found, represents an absolute highlight for any bird photographer interested in West African bird photography.
After ten immersive days in Senegal, you return to The Gambia to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Morgan Kunda Lodge and a final stay at Mandinari River Lodge. The tour concludes with relaxed photography at the Lamin rice paddies and Kotu Bridge, two iconic birding spots that symbolise the beauty and diversity of this unique West African region.
This journey is a dream come true for nature lovers and photographers wishing to experience authentic West Africa, combining habitat diversity, regional specialties, and expert personal guidance.
Why This Photo Tour Is Unique:
Ten days of intensive bird photography in Senegal, focused on species richness and habitat diversity
Five days of bird photography in Gambia, with an emphasis on accessible and bird-rich locations
Great variety of bird species, landscapes and photographic conditions
Wide diversity of habitats within one well-balanced round tour
The itinerary for this tour
Day 1 – Arrival at Banjul Airport – Transfer to Mandinari River Lodge
Arrival at Banjul International Airport. Meet & greet with your guide and driver. Transfer to Mandinari River Lodge. After check-in, relax from your journey or enjoy a short walk around the lodge grounds.
Evening: dinner and briefing about the coming days.
Day 2 – Photo Hide Mandinari
A full day dedicated to bird photography from the photo hide at Mandinari River Lodge, located on the edge of mangroves and forest (as featured on the website).
Optional afternoon or evening photo session along the river or in the nearby wetlands.
Day 3 – Crossing to Senegal – Drive to Delta Saloum
After breakfast, cross the border into Senegal and continue to the Saloum Delta region. Transfer to your lodge or camp near the delta.
In the afternoon, enjoy a short exploration of the area – a mangrove boat ride or shorebird photography on the tidal flats.
Day 4 – Boat Trip in the Creek & Forest Walk
Morning: boat trip through the creeks of the Saloum Delta, specially focused on photographing the White-crested Tiger Heron, a rare and highly sought-after species found in the mangroves.
Afternoon: guided walk through the nearby forest around the camp, searching for woodland birds and other photo opportunities.
Day 5 – Drive to Kaolack – Focus on Swallow-tailed Kite
Transfer to Kaolack with stops along the way. The highlight today is photographing the Swallow-tailed Kite (or Black-winged Kite, depending on location).
Late-afternoon photo opportunities near Kaolack. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6 – To Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary – Roadbirding en route
Early departure from Kaolack to Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, one of West Africa’s best birding sites. Roadbirding along the way with multiple stops for raptors, rollers, and waterbirds.
Arrival at camp, check-in, and optional evening photo session.
Day 7 – Boat Safari & Bird Photography in Djoudj National Park
Full day in Djoudj. Morning boat safari through the park – photographing pelicans, herons, cormorants, spoonbills, and more.
Afternoon at leisure or additional photo session in the park. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Day 8 – Drive to Richard Toll – Roadbirding Stops
After breakfast, drive to Richard Toll with several birding stops along the route: open savanna, farmlands, and wetlands near the Senegal River.
Arrival and overnight near Richard Toll.
Day 9 – From Richard Toll to Podor – Golden Nightjar & Swallow Species
Morning departure for Podor, with late-afternoon focus on photographing the Golden Nightjar and Horo Swallow (species name to be confirmed).
Evening session for nightjar photography. Overnight in the camp at Podor.
Day 10 – Podor to Saint-Louis – Roadbirding along the Way
Drive to Saint-Louis with several birding stops on the way: wetlands, farmland, and riverbanks.
Arrival in Saint-Louis, a charming coastal city at the mouth of the Senegal River. Optional evening birding or sunset photography.
Day 11 – Saint-Louis to Touba – Target Species: Quail Plover
After breakfast, drive to Touba with the main goal of finding and photographing the Quail Plover (an elusive West African specialty).
Photo session in the right habitat before continuing to Touba for the night.
Day 12 – Touba to Kaolack – Birding Hotspots en route
Departure from Touba to Kaolack, visiting various birding hotspots along the way: open fields, acacia scrub, and seasonal wetlands.
Evening arrival and overnight in Kaolack.
Day 13 – Return to Gambia – Border Crossing at Farafenni – Morgan Kunda Lodge
Early start from Kaolack to the Gambian border at Farafenni.
Multiple road stops for birding and photography. Continue to Morgan Kunda Lodge, a well-known base for bird photographers.
Evening at leisure or short walk around the lodge.
Day 14 – From Morgan Kunda to Mandinari River Lodge – Birding Stops
Drive from Morgan Kunda Lodge back to Mandinari River Lodge with several birding and photography stops at known hotspots: rice fields, wetlands, and woodland areas.
Late-afternoon photo session at the lodge or from the hide.
Day 15 – Depending on Flight Schedule – Visit Lamin Rice Fields & Kotu Bridge
Depending on your departure time, enjoy a final morning of bird photography at Lamin Rice Fields and Kotu Bridge, two of Gambia’s most popular birding sites.
Transfer to Banjul International Airport for your departure flight.
Route map Gambia & Senegal: 15-Day Bird Photography Tour (10 Days Senegal / 5 Days Gambia)
The species listed below are just a few examples of birds regularly observed at these sites. The actual number of species encountered during the tour is significantly higher and varies depending on the season, weather conditions, and migration periods.
1. Mandinari River Lodge focus on Violet Turaco, Shikra, Sunbirds.
African Pygmy Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Grey Woodpecker, Northern Black Flycatcher, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher,...........
2. Photo Hide Mandinari
Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Violet Turaco, Grey Woodpecker, Shikra, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Yellow-billed kite, African Thrush,........
3. Drive to Delta Saloum, Senegal
Abyssinian Roller, Blue-naped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Fish Eagle, Village Indigobird, Pin-tailed Whydah,......
4. Boat Trip in the Creek & Forest Walk focus on the White-crested Tiger Heron
African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, African Darter, Mangrove Sunbird, African Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-crowned Gonolek,.......
5. Drive to Kaolack – Focus on Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite, Yellow-billed Kite, African Fish Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Abyssinian Roller, Blue-naped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Pin-tailed Whydah, Village Indigobird, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu,.......
6. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Jacana, Western Marsh Harrier, African Fish Eagle,.......
7. Boat Safari & Bird Photography in Djoudj National Park
Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Darter, African Jacana,........
8. Drive to Richard Toll and Roadbirding Stops
Golden Sparrow, Sudan Golden Sparrow, White-rumped Seedeater, Sahel Paradise Whydah, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Green Bee-eater, Abyssinian Roller, Lanner Falcon, Brown-necked Raven, Black Scrub Robin,.......
9. From Richard Toll to Podor focus on Golden Nightjar & Swallow Species
Golden Sparrow, Sudan Golden Sparrow, White-rumped Seedeater, Sahel Paradise Whydah, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, Temminck's Courser, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Green Bee-eater,.....
10. Podor to Saint-Louis – Roadbirding Along the Way
Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, African Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Caspian Tern, Slender-billed Gull, African Fish Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier,.....
11. Saint-Louis to Touba focus on the Quail Plover
Abyssinian Roller, Blue-naped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Village Indigobird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, African Paradise Flycatcher, Beautiful Sunbird,.....
12. Touba to Kaolack – Birding Hotspots
Swallow-tailed Kite, African Fish Eagle, Yellow-billed Kite, Abyssinian Roller, African Grey Hornbill, Village Indigobird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Beautiful Sunbird, Yellow-crowned Gonolek,.....
13. Border Crossing at Farafenni – Morgan Kunda Lodge
Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Woolly-necked Stork, Goliath Heron, African Darter, Osprey, Abyssinian Roller, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Chestnut-bellied Starling, African Paradise Flycatcher, Mangrove Sunbird, White-billed Buffalo Weaver, African Jacana,.....
14. From Morgan Kunda to Mandinari River Lodge
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, African Fish Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Beautiful Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Village Indigobird, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, African Paradise Flycatcher,.....
15. Visit Lamin Rice Fields & Kotu Bridge
African Jacana, Greater Painted-snipe, Black Crake, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Village Indigobird,.......
Your partner for birding tours and bird photography in The Gambia and Senegal.
Fatou Colley
Location: Serrekunda, Western Gambia
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+220 779 0535
Owned by Fatou Colley, professional bird and wildlife guide in The Gambia and Senegal.
Officially registered with the Gambia Tourism Board and a certified guide of the Gambia Birdwatchers Association.
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