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
Sample Itineraries

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Banjul and transfer Mandina Lodges
Day 2/7
Natural history excursions from Mandina Lodges
Day 8
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
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 and Prices

Dates and Prices

2019

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 15th Nov - Fri 22nd Nov 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.
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.
 Not 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
Philip Thompson
TL Philip Thompson

Tour Leader: Philip Thompson

Philip was born in Nigeria and feels sure that at a subconscious level this has instilled in him his lifelong passion and interest in the natural world and the wildlife of Africa in particular. He was born of a generation who, as kids, would think nothing of disappearing of into the surrounding woods and countryside only to return at the end of the day hungry and tired. This enjoyment in the open country and experiencing at first hand the natural world has remained with him to this day and it is now his great pleasure to show and share with others the natural delights that drew him to tour leading. His main interest is in wild flowers but he remains a keen and able birder with an interest in all other forms of the natural environment. He is also interested in music, fashion and film, with European cinema a particular favourite.

Fri 6th Dec - Fri 13th Dec 3 £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.
 Not 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
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.

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 3rd Jan - Fri 10th Jan FULL £2,495
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.
 Not 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
Keith Buchanan
TL Keith Buchanan

Tour Leader: Keith Buchanan

Keith Buchanan has more than 30 years' experience of working on biodiversity and landscape issues in the UK and internationally. Until August 2008 Keith was designing and leading a major project for Natural England to understand the impact of climate change on wildlife and landscapes. Prior to that he was a Programme Director within the Countryside Agency, and responsible for that Agency's work in relation to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, climate change and land management. Since 2008 he has been freelance, and has led wildlife watching groups to many parts of Europe, and worked on biological expeditions in Indonesia, Central America, South America, Madagascar and South Africa.

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.
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.
 Female 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
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 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.
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
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!