The Gambia in Style

Tour Code: GMB02

An 8-day holiday enjoying the spectacular birdlife and other natural history of The Gambia, based in the tranquil and relaxing surroundings of the exclusive Mandina Lodges.

8 days from
£2,395 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Of all the tropical destinations for European birdwatchers, The Gambia has arguably the most allure for drawing birders of all skill levels back year after year, from complete beginners to the highly experienced. Many of its 570+ species are extremely easy to see and many wonderful birds can be seen without even leaving your resort. We will be based for the week at the superb Mandina Lodges, a delightful riverside resort which is surrounded by the 1,000-acre Makasutu Forest in south-west Gambia. Exotics are found here in abundance as well as more familiar wintering European migrants. Our friendly local guides will take us on morning and afternoon tours, often by boat, into the surrounding area in search of herons, egrets, ibises, jacanas, kingfishers, sunbirds, raptors, rollers and glossy starlings. Other wildlife of interest includes Nile Monitor Lizards and a variety of primates, and back at the resort you may choose to unwind each day with a swim in the pool, or simply enjoy birdwatching from the beautiful grounds!

  • A leisurely 8-day, single-centre, birdwatching holiday
  • Easy, yet exciting & varied, birding from a luxurious base
  • Stay at the picturesque riverside Mandina Lodge in The Gambia’s Makasutu Forest
  • Lodge & Makasutu Forest listed in the book ‘1001 Escapes Before You Die’
  • Rollers, kingfishers & bee-eaters plus sunbirds & orioles galore
  • Excellent photographic opportunities
  • Led by expert naturalist guides

We also offer a specialist Photographic departure to Mandina Lodges.

Grading

Grade A. Leisurely morning and afternoon excursions on foot and by boat, plus two full day excursions by vehicle, all of which are optional.

Affectionately known as the ‘Smiling Coast of West Africa’, the Republic of The Gambia is a tiny country that packs a mighty avian punch, being home to more than 570 species. For the birder, it offers an exciting kaleidoscope of colour and variety, plus just a touch of familiarity for those of us travelling from the UK! Along with plenty of photographic opportunities (we also offer a special ‘Photography’ departure each year) and examples of fascinating African culture in the rural heart of West Africa, The Gambia boasts a friendly, easy-going atmosphere and an appealing combination of superlative birdwatching and a warm sunny climate, making it the perfect winter sun getaway.

We depart on a direct flight from London Gatwick to Banjul, and from here it is just a short transfer of around 45 minutes to the exclusive Mandina Lodges. This is our home for the week and it feels a world away from the bustle of Banjul and the touristic Atlantic coast, being set within 1,000 acres of the peaceful Makasutu Cultural Forest and bordering the secluded mangrove-lined tributary of the River Gambia. There are just nine striking chalets at Mandina, with some discreetly positioned over the water and others set back within the lush forest wilderness. The large pool is perfect for cooling off during the heat of the day and meals are served al fresco in the thatched dining areas. The entire setting has been thoughtfully and beautifully designed to promote a tranquil retreat from everyday life, and around the lodge guests frequently encounter such avian delights as African Golden Oriole, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Bearded Barbet, White-throated and Little Bee-eaters, Pied and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Green-headed, Scarlet-chested and Beautiful Sunbirds, Northern Crombec and Violet Turaco. Sitting in the bar overlooking the mangroves at sunset whilst watching the herons and egrets return to their roost, it is easy to see why this place has been selected as one of the ‘1001 escapes to make before you die’!

On four days, during our stay at Mandina Lodges, we remain based at the lodge and explore the nearby forest, rice fields, mud flats and surrounding savannah both on foot and using traditional dugout canoes. We will set off from the lodge just as it is getting light and, as the sun warms us up, it can sometimes be hard to know where to look as parrots, turacos, rollers, bush-shrikes, sunbirds, glossy starlings and bee-eaters all vie for our attention! Raptors commonly seen overhead include Black Kite, Palm-nut Vulture, African Harrier-hawk, Dark Chanting Goshawk and Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, whilst Guinea Baboons are resident in the forest and are very approachable, and Green Vervet Monkeys are also commonly seen. Boat trips along the creek are sure to reveal a diverse selection of herons, egrets and other waterbirds, plus a dazzling selection of kingfishers. We will return to Mandina for a leisurely brunch and then, during the heat of the day, we will be free to relax, enjoy a dip in the lodge’s beautiful swimming pool, explore the mangroves or perhaps go for an independent walk in the nearby forest. Meeting up again in the late afternoon once the air has started to cool, we will enjoy a second excursion and return to Mandina in time for a drink and dinner.

On one evening during our stay we will also enjoy a special sunset cruise to a huge egret roost, where hundreds of Cattle Egrets and Long-tailed Cormorants, plus Western Reef and Black Herons, Great Egrets and numerous darters, flock onto a small island, covering nearly every branch of every tree. During our journey to and from the roost we will take our time to scan the mangroves, looking out for species such as Goliath Heron, Pink-backed Pelican and perhaps African Finfoot.

On two days we will enjoy full day excursions away from Makasutu in order to explore some of the area’s other top nature reserves. None are further than about an hour’s drive away, and we are sure to include Abuko, a small forest reserve where Woodland Kingfisher, Western Bluebill, Green and Violet Turacos, and Ahanta Francolin can be found. We will also visit Tanji, a coastal reserve with sandbars that attract loafing gulls and terns, as well as a myriad of sunbirds, orioles and hornbills in the nearby scrub woodland.

Finally, after a week of easy, yet exciting and varied birding from an extremely comfortable base, we must drag ourselves away and return to Banjul for our flight home.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Banjul and transfer Mandina Lodges
Day 2/7
Natural history excursions from Mandina Lodges
Day 8
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Mandina Lodges consists of nine comfortable and discreetly positioned individual lodges. All the lodges are en-suite, and all have one king-sized bed, with the exception of one Jungle Lodge which has two king-sized beds and can therefore be used for twin occupancy. Mangrove and Jungle Lodges are included in the standard tour price; Floating Lodges are available for an additional £195 per person. Please refer to the detailed tour itinerary for more information on the different lodge types.

  • Food:

    Breakfast and dinner are included throughout the holiday, lunches are not. We recommend allowing around £10-15 per lunch.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 20th Mar - Fri 27th Mar FULL £2,395
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £850
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Rob Mileto
TL Rob Mileto

Tour Leader: Rob Mileto

Rob puts his interest in wildlife and nature conservation down to being brought up in a 'new town' where fields, ponds and hedgerows were constantly being turned into houses and roads. After graduating in Ecology and Nature Conservation he worked for the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and RSPB, and spent two years wardening Aride Island Nature Reserve in the Seychelles. He has also travelled extensively in east and southern Africa and undertaken voluntary conservation work and research in Tanzania, Namibia and Zimbabwe. He now runs a wildlife consultancy in Shropshire but disappears off on long holidays and advisory projects abroad whenever he can.

Fri 17th Apr - Fri 24th Apr 1 £2,395
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Male sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £850
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Richard Bashford
Richard-Bashford.jpg

Tour Leader: Richard Bashford

Richard was born in Sandy, which played no small part in his early interest in birds. After leaving school, he began working for the RSPB on a variety of contracts until undertaking an environmental degree. In 1995 he worked for the British Trust for Ornithology, running the Breeding Bird Survey, but has worked back at the RSPB in Sandy since 2001 running projects such as the world's biggest wildlife survey - Big Garden Birdwatch. Richard has travelled widely in search of wildlife and has taken part in ornithological projects in Kenya, Botswana, Jordan and Albania and China (the latter searching for Spoon-billed Sandpipers). He has been leading tours since the 1980s and has led Naturetrek holidays throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, North and Central America. He is very active in his home county of Bedfordshire, supporting survey work and spending much of his free time searching for birds, butterflies and moths.

Fri 6th Nov - Fri 13th Nov 5 £2,495
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £895
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Chris Griffin
Chris Griffin

Tour Leader: Chris Griffin

Chris was obsessed with wildlife from an early age, when he spent every available moment either at a local nature reserve or buried in a bird book! Naturally this led to a wildlife orientated career, where he worked for the RSPB and various environmental consultancies as a Field Ornithologist. Now, three decades on, his life hasn’t changed much, as he still birds his local reserves and is regularly found delving his head into a field guide! 

Chris is a keen wildlife photographer, and particularly enjoys the Somerset Levels where he photographs anything and everything. Birds are his first love, but Chris also enjoys watching, and has excellent knowledge of lepidoptera, odonata, reptiles, and amphibians. His enthusiasm for wildlife is infectious, and he relishes any opportunity to share his wealth of knowledge and experience!

Fri 4th Dec - Fri 11th Dec SPACES £2,395
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £895
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Richard Bashford
Richard-Bashford.jpg

Tour Leader: Richard Bashford

Richard was born in Sandy, which played no small part in his early interest in birds. After leaving school, he began working for the RSPB on a variety of contracts until undertaking an environmental degree. In 1995 he worked for the British Trust for Ornithology, running the Breeding Bird Survey, but has worked back at the RSPB in Sandy since 2001 running projects such as the world's biggest wildlife survey - Big Garden Birdwatch. Richard has travelled widely in search of wildlife and has taken part in ornithological projects in Kenya, Botswana, Jordan and Albania and China (the latter searching for Spoon-billed Sandpipers). He has been leading tours since the 1980s and has led Naturetrek holidays throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, North and Central America. He is very active in his home county of Bedfordshire, supporting survey work and spending much of his free time searching for birds, butterflies and moths.

2021

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 5th Jan - Tue 12th Jan 4 £2,495
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £895
Fri 19th Mar - Fri 26th Mar SPACES £2,495
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £895
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Andy Smith
TL Andy Smith

Tour Leader: Andy Smith

Andy lives in north-east Dorset with his wife and the youngest of his six children. A keen birder and naturalist for as long as he can remember, Andy has enjoyed a diverse career divided between nature conservation work in Britain and Ireland, school teaching and wildlife tour leading. He has now led over 75 tours for Naturetrek and his travels have taken him to various parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Antarctica. When not busy leading tours, Andy teaches teenagers at an independent small school project near Ringwood in east Dorset.

Fri 16th Apr - Fri 23rd Apr SPACES £2,395
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £895
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Peter Dunn
TL Peter Dunn

Tour Leader: Peter Dunn

Peter was born in Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire and is a retired police sergeant with North Yorkshire Police, where he was wildlife liaison officer for 12 years. He has been a keen birder for over 49 years and organised the setting up and running of the Filey Brigg Bird Observatory on the Yorkshire Coast, where he lives close by and looks after the bird ringing. He is a full trainer for the bird ringing scheme in the UK. Peter has birded throughout most of England, Scotland and Wales, whilst overseas trips have included Spain, France, Poland, Hungary, Malta, Norway, the Balearic Islands, Morocco, Israel, South, Central and North America and the Caribbean. Peter's main interest is in Western Palaearctic species (and races) and he gives talks to local bird and natural history groups using his collection of wildlife photographs - another passion of his. Peter joined the staff of Naturetrek in 2011, responsible for the formatting of the tour reports and keeping tour checklists in order.

Why Naturetrek?

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!