Gambia with Senegal - 14 nights
Price £2195 per person based on two people sharing
Price includes all ground arrangements, accommodation, meals, transport & guiding
Day 1: Arrival
After your 6 hour flight from the UK you will be met at Yundum Airport and transferred in our own 4x4 vehicle to Halcyon Gambia where you will be met with cold drinks and a warm welcome. Spend the late afternoon and early evening relaxing and enjoying the variety of birds found in the landscaped gardens.
Target Species: Red-Billed Firefinches, Red-Cheeked Cordon Bleu, Lavender Waxbill and Beautiful and Splendid Sunbirds amongst others.
Day 2: Kotu Creek
We will be spending the morning at Kotu Creek where we will visit Kotu Bridge, Kotu Sewage Ponds, the Lily Ponds and the Casino Cycle Track. After lunch back at the lodge we will head for Fajara Golf Course and Bijilo Forest Park for the afternoon.
Target Species: Pied and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Striated Heron, Beautiful Sunbird, White-faced Whistling Ducks, Black Crake, Shikra, Rose-ringed Parakeets, African Harrier Hawk and Long-tailed Glossy Starlings
Day 3: Abuko Nature Reserve
The morning will be spent at Abuko Nature Reserve, a must for any birder! We will then make our way to Lamin Lodge where we will have lunch. The afternoon will be spent at Lamin Rice Fields, Bund Road, Cape Creek and Camaloo Corner.
Target Species: Giant Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Western Bluebill, Palm-nut Vulture, Violet and Green Turaco.
Day 4: Faraba Banta Bush Track
Faraba Banta Bush Track, Pirang and Farasuto Forest in Kuloro. (packed lunch)
Target Species: Black-faced Firefinch, White-shouldered Black Tit and Yellow-bellied Hyliota.
Day 5: Tendaba
After an early breakfast the drive to Tendaba will offer a great variety of wildlife as you travel inland. Tendaba Camp, where we will spend one night, We will arrive at Tendaba Camp late afternoon and after a freshen up we will take a late evening drive for Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars. Dinner and overnight at Tendaba Camp.
Target Species: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bateleur Eagle, Martial Eagle, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Pygmy Sunbird, White-crested Helmet Shrikes and Senegal Batis.
Day 6: Georgetown
Leave Tendaba to catch ferry at Farrafeni to Cross to the North Bank. We will be stopping at various birding sites en route to Georgetown looking for the beautiful Egyptian Plover.
Target Species: Goliath Heron, African Finfoot, Blue Flycatcher, Mouse-brown Sunbird and, if you are really lucky, Pel’s Fishing Owl
Day 7 - Day 9: Niokola Koba National Park
Leave Georgetown for our drive over the border into Senegal and the Niokola Koba National Park where we will spend 3 nights birding in and around the park. Simenti Hotel is situated overlooking the River Gambia where hippos, baboons and crocodiles can be seen together with Egyptian Plovers and African Finfoot. Other target species include Black-Crowned Cranes and Saddle-Billed Storks.
Target Species: Egyptian Plover, African Finfoot, Black-Crowned Cranes and Saddle-Billed Storks.
Day 10: Georgetown
Early start back to Georgetown stopping at various sites along the way.
Day 11: Georgetown to Tendaba
Back to Tendaba via Bansang Quarry, Jahally Rice Field and Fula Bantang.
Day 12: Tendaba
Morning boat trip before departing Tendaba to head back to the coast.
Day 13: Brufut Woods & Tanji Beach
Brufut Woods and Tanji Beach in morning. Lunch at Paradise Beach Club followed by Tuejering in the afternoon.
Day 14: Marakissa
Marakissa in morning and afternoon re-visiting any sites where birds may have been missed.
Day 15: Departure
You will have the morning at leisure followed by lunch
October 2011