Gambia – West African Paradise
Friday 7th to Monday 17th November 2008
AA8016-02
The Gambia has long been a popular birdwatching destination. Situated on the
coast of West Africa, it is one of the continent’s smallest countries, but
it has
an impressive avifauna and offers visitors from Europe an ideal introduction
to the colourful world of African birds. Our first week is spent in an excellent hotel
on the Atlantic coast and from this base we will visit some of the numerous
birdwatching sites available nearby. During the last few days we will head
inland
for a real Avian Adventure, following the mighty Gambia River to Tendaba
Camp and staying in more basic accommodation. On this excursion we hope to
see
the beautiful Egyptian Plover, one of the numerous gems that make The Gambia
an essential element of our tour programme.Day 1: A morning flight from London Gatwick to Banjul, followed by transfer to our hotel. In the hotel’s spacious grounds, White-crowned Robin-Chat, Yellow-crowned Gonolek and Red-billed Hornbill are just three of the many colourful species that can be found.
Overnight - Senegambia Beach Hotel
Days 2 - 7: We will spend these six days exploring the many excellent birdwatching sites that are located within easy reach of our hotel. These include The Gambia’s best-known reserve, Abuko, a fine example of mature riverine forest with secluded pools, surrounded by more open savannah woodland. Here we can expect to see Palm-nut Vulture, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, African Paradise Flycatcher, Hamerkop, Little Greenbul, Giant, African Pygmy & Malachite Kingfishers, brilliant Green & Violet Turacos, African Pied Hornbill and many more. We’ll also visit the coastal Tanji Reserve where African Hobby, Red-necked Falcon, Swallow-tailed & Little Bee-eaters, Grey-headed Gulls & shorebirds are often seen. The Kotu sewage ponds, together with nearby golf course, and creek, will certainly be on our schedule, where we may see: Marsh & Wood Sandpipers, Black-headed Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, Blue-bellied Roller and perhaps Black Crake. Also, it is here that we often see Grey Kestrel and Double-spurred Francolin. The abandoned shrimp farm at Pirang is where we will hope to see Black Crowned Cranes and this is also a good site for Brown-necked Parrot, Black-faced (African) Quailfinch, Mosque Swallow and Plain-backed Pipit. The Farababanta bush track is well known for its raptors including Bateleur, Grasshopper Buzzard, Dark Chanting Goshawk and the colourful Grey-headed & Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrikes. Brufut woods and the woodland at Bambakuno, are good areas for sunbirds, as well as those tongue-twisters such as Grey-backed Cameroptera and Green-backed Eremomela.
Overnights - Senegambia Beach Hotel
Days 8 & 9: We leave the coast and head ‘up river’ for a two-night stay at Tendaba Camp, where we’ll explore the creeks and channels. Amongst the birds to be expected are Grey-headed & Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, White-backed Night-Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Blue Flycatcher and White-throated Bee-eater. We will spend a day up river in search of Egyptian Plover.
Overnights - Tendaba Camp
Day 10: We return to the coast, for an overnight stay at Senegambia Beach.
Day 11: Catch our return flight to UK.