The Gambia

The tiny West African republic of The Gambia is widely recognised as an ideal country in which to gain an introduction to the diverse and colourful birdlife of the African continent, as evidenced by the increasing numbers of European birdwatchers taking advantage of The Gambia's unique accessibility. There is a friendly, easy going atmosphere in the country and a happy combination of superlative birdwatching and a warm sunny climate make it an ideal holiday destination. We begin this exciting tour at an hotel on the palm-fringed Atlantic coast then travel along the length of the Gambia River, stopping at strategically situated camps along the way to sample the changing birdlife at each locality. The range of potential species includes huge Goliath Herons, Pink-backed Pelicans and other waterbirds, a splendid variety of raptors and such typically African beauties as Red-throated and Carmine Bee-Eaters. One of the highlights of any tour to The Gambia is the handsome Egyptian Plover and we will be hoping to see this confiding wader near the Senegal border before beginning our return journey to Banjul. With much of West Africa either in political turmoil or very expensive to visit, The Gambia remains an astonishing bargain for travellers and although many holiday-makers seek no more than the guaranteed winter sunshine, the more intrepid will find many examples of fascinating African culture in the rural heart of the country, where the latest European fashions and music have little part to play in the daily life of the villages.

There is arguably no better place than The Gambia to dip your toes into the rich pool of African bird diversity — and, indeed, into tropical Africa itself. The hotel gardens are awash with a myriad of colourful birds, whilst away from the resorts that line the coast, the forests, mangroves, rivers and grasslands are home to a suite of iconic African species, including Egyptian Plover, African Finfoot and Northern Carmine Bee-eater. From the swaying palm trees to the 'characterful' roads used by every conceivable type of transport to the vibrant mass of humanity imbued with an inherent friendliness. The Gambia is quintessentially African and offers a wonderful introduction to the continent's abundant wildlife and vibrant culture.

We begin our holiday with a flight to Banjul and three nights on The Gambia's Atlantic coastline. During breakfast we can admire our hotel's wonderful variety of garden birds including dazzling sunbirds, glossy starlings, rollers, the beautiful Yellow-crowned Gonolek and finch-like birds, such as the pastel-blue Red-cheeked Cordonbleu. Although it will be hard to tear ourselves away, the beaches, creeks and lagoons along the coast offer yet more avian delights and here we can enjoy an abundance of herons, egrets, gulls, terns and waders. Among them are such species as Senegal Thick-knee and both Spur-winged and Wattled Lapwings, plus Grey-headed and Slender-billed Gulls and Osprey.

The Gambia's coastal belt is clothed in an impressive mix of habitats, such as scrub, dry woodland and evergreen forest, home to an impressive range of doves, shrikes, gamebirds, warblers, weavers, bulbuls and other classic African bird families. During our time here we will include a visit to sections of gallery forest where Violet and Green Turacos live, alongside such gems as Western Bluebill, Bearded Barbet and Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-bellied Roller and Red-necked Falcon are possible too.

Next, we will begin an exciting adventure up the Gambia River on a 6-day odyssey into the very heart of the country, a journey that will take us to within a few miles of its easternmost border with Senegal. On the first day, we head east as far as Tendaba Camp for an overnight stay, stopping along the way at, for example, Kampanti or Brumen Bridges, reliable sites for raptors including Lanner Falcon, Grasshopper Buzzard, Beaudouin's and Brown Snake Eagles, or even a Bateleur or Martial Eagle, classic African predators. At Tendaba Camp itself we will take a boat trip through the mangroves in search of such birds as African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, African Blue Flycatcher and Mangrove Sunbird.

Moving on, our base for the following three nights will be the simple Bansang River Camp on the banks of the River Gambia, which we will use as a jumping-off point for several exciting expeditions. The varied habitats within easy reach are sure to offer plenty of exciting birds, including Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Cut-throat Finch, White-crested Helmet-Shrike, Pygmy Sunbird, Mottled Spinetail and Northern Yellow White-eye to name but a few.

We will take a day trip to Basse Santa Su for one of the ornithological highlights of the tour. For many years this small riverside town has been a famous 'stakeout' for The Gambia's most sought-after bird species, the striking Egyptian Plover, one of the world's most iconic waders whose plumage is a tasteful shade of pale grey and apricot with black and white stripes. Egyptian Plovers can be wonderfully tame and often allow close-up views on their favoured muddy creeks, sometimes right in the middle of town! On the same day, we will visit the nearby Prufu Swamp, home to another Gambian icon, the Northern Carmine Bee-eater! Even these breathtakingly beautiful birds can be outdone, however, by one of their close relatives, the Red-throated Bee-eater, a bird at which a paintbox has been thrown. There is often a colony of these wonderful birds at Bansang Quarry. and at the same location we have a chance of finding one of the best-named birds of the holiday, the 'Exclamatory Paradise Whydah'!

We will break the journey back to Banjul with another night at Tendaba Camp. Following a final three nights birdwatching in the varied habitats along the Gambian coastline, we will return to Banjul Airport for our flight home.