The highlight for me was seeing the Egyptian Plover. The amazing bird 295 bird count of which 104 were lifers. Tour leader Brian was amazing, incredibly knowledgeable and very organised.
M.M. Hertfordshire, Nov 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - November 2023
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - November 2021
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2012
- Tour report - October 2011
- Tour report - November 2010
- Tour report - November 2009
- Tour report - November 2008
- Tour report - October 2007
- Tour report - October 2006
- Tour report - November 2005
Click to see moreClick to see less
Can I help you?
The Gambia
Tour Code: GMB01A 12-day birdwatching holiday visiting a variety of localities along the Gambia River.
£3,795 (Inc flights)
£
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - November 2023
- Tour report - November 2023
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - November 2021
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - November 2012
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2010
- Tour report - October 2011
- Tour report - November 2009
- Tour report - November 2008
- Tour report - October 2007
- Tour report - October 2006
- Tour report - November 2005
Click to see moreClick to see less
Can I help you?
Quick Enquiry
Summary
The colourful birdlife of West Africa is perfectly represented in the tiny Republic of The Gambia. As on many conventional sunshine holidays, this birdwatching tour begins at a beach hotel near the capital, Banjul. However, after introductory birdwatching in the surrounding areas, we head by road and boat along the Gambia River, stopping at conveniently located camps to facilitate exploration of the riverine forests and swamps. Egyptian Plover is just one of the highlights of this excursion but the long bird list for the holiday will include a staggering variety of African species augmented by Paleactic migrants in their winter quarters.
- West African birding at its best!
- Great introduction to African birds
- Egyptian Plovers
- Glimpses of Gambian village life
- Tropical winter sunshine
- Six nights at a comfortable beach hotel
- Exciting wildlife exploration along the Gambia River
Grading
Day walks only. Most of the walks are suitable for all ages and for all degrees of fitness, but the days can be long and occasionally very hot, especially when travelling upriver.
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, easygoing 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.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Tourist class hotels with private facilities at the coast. River camps are simple and basic although the huts do have private facilities. Both water and electricity supplies can be erratic at the camps
- Food: Included in cost, except on final day.
Reviews
-
-
In all respects, the holiday was excellent, and I would like to particularly mention the excellent leadership provided by Chris and Sering.
D.C. Hertfordshire -
The leaders were exceptional. They combined and complimented each other brilliantly. Both worked flat out in the field for 10-12 hours daily to ensure that all clients saw as much as possible, noting which birds each person had missed to ensure they had first chance next time.
W.S. Berkshire -
I saw about 270 species, of which almost half were lifetime firsts. The headline of the holiday was the first ever recorded sighting in the Gambia of a Hairy-breasted Barbet, unequivocally captured on film by way of verification. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and thought it very successful and good value for money.
M.R. Hampshire -
It was a superb holiday and a great adventure.
J.H. Surrey -
Well done for organizing a birdwatching tour that was all birds!
J.B. Hertfordshire -
The success of the trip absolutely depended on Mamadou, who was outstanding in every way. Transport and driver also excellent.
J.H. Edinburgh -
I thoroughly enjoyed the Gambia trip and would particularly like to express my thanks to our guide, Mamadou, who was excellent at finding and identifying the birds and ensuring that we all had good views.
C.K. West Yorkshire -
We got great views of many birds particularly the target species. I was very happy with the birds we saw.
M.W. Essex
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
Array ( [174] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 174 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/bargain-birdwatching [title] => Bargain birdwatching [alias] => bargain-birdwatching [description] =>Bargain Birdwatching Holidays
Our bargain birdwatching tours suit keen birders who want an active, fast-paced birding holiday with a dedicated focus on searching for birds rather than on looking at the area’s other wildlife or cultural highlights.
We offer a wide selection of long-haul holidays to many destinations in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
What can I expect?
- An expert English-speaking local ornithologist leader
- Outstanding value for money
- Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interests
- Enviable bird lists
- Focused searches for endemics and regional specialities
Who are these tours best suited to?
- Keen & active birders – whether expert or making their first visit to a country or continent
- People looking for an action-packed bird-focused tour
Where can I go?
Naturetrek's selection of birdwatching holidays includes many South and Central American countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.
In Africa our selection includes Malawi, Ethiopia and South Africa, while in India and Nepal we offer a choice of 17 bargain birdwatching tours! Here are a few more choices:
- Endemics of Western Australia
- Argentina's Mar Chiquita
- Birds of Brazils Atlantic rainforest
- Colombia – home to the world’s richest avifauna
- Sri Lanka’s endemic birds
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
All Bargain birdwatching Tours
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => Bird Watching ) [metakey] => Bargain birdwatching [note] => 17 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) [180] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 180 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/birds [title] => Birdwatching [alias] => birds [description] =>Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => Bird Watching ) [metakey] => Birds [note] => 02 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) )
Tour Reports
- Tour report - November 2023
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - November 2021
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2012
- Tour report - October 2011
- Tour report - November 2010
- Tour report - November 2009
- Tour report - November 2008
- Tour report - October 2007
- Tour report - October 2006
- Tour report - November 2005
CLICK TO SEE MOREClick to see less
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!