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18 DAY TOUR

18 day Tours

The most comprehensive birding experience in West Africa. Explore Gambia, Senegal, and exclusive locations with luxury accommodations and unmatched species diversity.

The Ultimate West African Birding Adventure

Experience the pinnacle of West African birding with our most comprehensive tour covering multiple countries, exclusive locations, and over 400 bird species across diverse habitats.

Luxury Accommodations

Stay in the finest eco-lodges and boutique hotels throughout The Gambia

Complete Coverage

Visit all major birding sites from coast to interior, including remote locations

Cultural Immersion

Extensive cultural experiences including traditional villages and local customs

Tour Statistics

Expected Species : 400+

Habitats Visited : 18 Different

Accommodation Level : Mid-range

Physical Difficulty : Easy-Moderate

18 Day Ultimate West Africa Birding Safari package

Please contact us for further information about cost



karantamj@hotmail.com

Pricing per person

Minimum: 4 people

1 to 4 pax

€3500

4 to 6 pax

€3300

7 to 10 pax

€3000

Minimum 4 people required. Private tours with smaller groups available – contact us for negotiable pricing.

What’s Included

Golden Hour Focus

Scheduled around optimal lighting conditions for bird photography

Tour Overview

Travel through Gambia and Senegal for 18 days of bird watching. Start from the peaceful Kotu Creek and dense Brufut Woods to Kartong Wetlands’ lively ecosystems among others. Get to see various kinds of birds such as Kingfishers, Oriole Warbler and Little Bee-eater as you walk through Killy forest and Kampanti Rice fields. Observe the rustic nature of Tendaba Camp and Saloum Delta which is habitat for African Fish Eagle or White Crested Tiger Bittern may be seen. From there on, visit Djoudj National Bird Park in Kousema Island, Niokolokoba Reserve and eventually until leopards, antelopes or other species get spotted at the safari in Niokolokoba Park. The itinerary ends at Kotu Creek where we started; this trip is a complete exploration of West Africa’s unique birds with the scenic beauty that is characterized by nature.

The tour for 18 days to be precise three weeks will cover both The Gambia and Senegal, both the Northern and Southern parts. This trip will allow you to visit the best birding sites across the two countries from coastal Gambia stretching out to inland cross border into Senegal to the North East and South East of Senegal known for its specialties like Golden Nightjar, Cricket Warblars, Arabian Bustards, Quail Plovers to name a few. We will visit Parc de Djoud, Niokolokoba Nature Reserve, Dindifelo, Delta De Saloum.
These sites are really far apart making it so special to visit for those special species of birds in the area at least for a lifetime. Your decision to book this spectacular 18-day tour is a very good choice. It will enable you to see so many species and the most iconic birding sites including most of the cultural and historic sites of both countries.

Daily Itinerary

1

Airport Transfer

To Lomen Creek Hotel at the coast in The Gambia. Birding starts immediately when you land at the airport.

Key Species:

Often seen from balconies, paths, and restaurant areas.

2

Neighbourhood Walk & Brufut Woods

Still at the Hotel Lemon Creek, we will visit various sites around the coast to familiarize yourself with some common species. The visit will take us to Kotu Creek area and the surroundings, then later we will visit Brufut Woods after lunch break.

Key Species:

3

Kartong Wetlands & Gunjur Adventure

Our day will start early heading to Kartong Wetlands and Gunjur Forest along the south coast of The Gambia for a day.

Key Species:

1. Birds Around Gunjur Forest

Gunjur Forest

Forest / Woodland Species

Raptors / Larger Birds

2. Birds Around Kartong Area

Kartong Wetland

Wetland / Marsh Birds

Shorebirds / Beach

Scarcer / Special Species

Best Target Birds for This Area

  1. Violet Turaco
  2. Western Bluebill
  3. White-fronted Plover
  4. Black Heron
  5. Greater Painted-snipe

4

Journey to Upcountry

We will begin our inland journey to Tendaba Camp in the hinterlands, making stops at major birding sites and those sites known to our team specially.

Key Species:

1. Kampanti Rice Fields

A noted stop en route inland, especially for raptors and wetland birds.

Raptors 

Rice Fields / Pools

2. Killy Forest / Woodland

Dry woodland and open savanna habitat, excellent for woodland specials.

Woodland Birds

Raptors

3. Along the Way to Kiang West

As you continue south/west toward Kiang West National Park, habitats broaden into savanna, woodland, tidal flats, and mangrove creeks. Over 250–300+ bird species have been recorded in the park area.

Key Species to Expect

5

North Bank Exploration

We will proceed to the North from the South Bank of The Gambia. Overnight stay at Morgan Kunda Lodge.

Key Species:

1. Roadside Farmland / Open Country

Very common habitat between towns.

6

Cross Border to Senegal North

After breakfast we will cross the border into Senegal to visit the roosting site of Swallow-tailed Kites. Then a couple nights stay at Toubakuta in Hotel Kerr Saloum.

Key Species:

7

Expedition Delta de Saloum

Still at Kerr Saloum Hotel, we will conduct a boat trip at Delta de Saloum for a special bird called White-crested Tiger Bittern and Goliath Herons.

Key Species:

White-crested Tiger Bittern
,
Goliath Heron
,
African Spoonbill
,
Great White Pelican
,
Royal Tern

8

St. Louis Overnight Stay

We will drive past Kaolack heading to St-Louis for a night stop at the Lodge.

Key Species:

2. Roadside Pools / Irrigation / Rice Areas

Especially north of Kaolack and toward river systems.

3. Raptors

Northern Senegal can be very good for birds of prey.

Near Saint-Louis: Wetland Bonus Species

Senegal River / Delta / Marshes

Coast / Beach / Estuary

Best Specialty Targets Near Saint-Louis

  1. Greater Flamingo
  2. Great White Pelican
  3. African Spoonbill
  4. Dark Chanting Goshawk
  5. Lanner Falcon

9

Djoudj Bird Sanctuary

After breakfast we continue further to the North for a night stop at Parc de Djoud.

Key Species:

Black Crowned Crane
,
White-faced Whistling Duck
,
African Spoonbill
,
Purple Heron
,
Great Cormorant

10

Extra Night Djoud Excursion

Another night stay at Parc de Djoud. This will allow us to explore various key sites within the park.

Key Species:

1. Pelicans & Large Waterbirds (Signature Species)

These are the most spectacular birds in Djoudj.

👉 Huge pelican colonies (thousands) are a major highlight.

11

Golden Nightjar Spot

We set off for Podor, a border Mauritania, for particular species of the area like Golden Nightjar, Sennar Penduline Tit, Little Grey Woodpecker.

Key Species:

2. Ross Béthio Irrigation Zone

Habitats

Rice schemes, canals, wet fields

Target Birds

3. Richard Toll Area

Habitats

Dry scrub + irrigation + town edges

Target Birds

Birding Tip

Look around acacia trees and village edges.

4. Dagana Area

Habitats

Riverbanks, cultivated land, reeds

Target Birds

5. Podor Approaches

Habitats

Sahel scrub, sandy plains, river edge

Target Birds

6. Evening / Night Near Podor

Target Birds

Top 15 Must-See Birds on This Route

  1. Sudan Golden Sparrow
  2. Sennar Penduline Tit
  3. Purple Roller
  4. Temminck’s Courser
  5. Standard-winged Nightjar
  6. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
  7. Golden Nightjar
  8. Horus SWift
  9. Greater Flamingo

12

Richard Toll Specialities

We return back going through Richard Toll for other specialities like Cricket Warblars, Fulvous Barblers, Black Scrub Robins, and more.
Overnight stay at ST Louis

Key Species:

Golden Nightjar
,
Sennar Penduline Tit
,
Little Grey Woodpecker
,
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
,
Namaqua Dove and many more.

13

Back to Kaolack

We will continue on the South East of Senegal through Tambacounda birding from North towards South heading to Wassadu Camp over looking The river Gambia.

Key Species:

  1. Northern Carmine Bee-eater
  2. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
  3. Temminck’s Courser
  4. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
  5. Adamawa Turtle Dove
  6. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle
  7. Palm-nut Vulture
  8.  

14

Extension to South Bank

From the Camp still in Senegal, South we will have a day visit to Niokolokoba Nature Reserve. This park is endowed with varieties of wildlife including several species of Antelopes, Lions, Buffalos, Leopards, Warthogs, and many birds.
Overnight stay at Simenti Hotel in the park or there would be a possibility rather return back to Wassadu Camp.

Key Species:

Key Bird Species in Niokolo-Koba

1. River & Wetland Birds (Gambia River system)

2. Savanna & Open Woodland Birds

3. Raptors (Very Strong in the Park)

4. Grassland & Sahel Special Birds

5. Forest Gallery Species (Near Rivers)

🐘 Mammals in Niokolo-Koba

The park is one of the last strongholds for large West African wildlife.

Common & Visible Mammals

Rare / Important Species

🦜 Top “Must-See” Species in Niokolo-Koba

  1. African Finfoot
  2. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
  3. Martial Eagle
  4. Northern Carmine Bee-eater
  5. Temminck’s Courser

15

Wassadu Expedition on Gambia River

We will in the Camp for a second night to allow us to visit more key sites and conduct a boat trip in The Gambia River.

Key Species:

Pel Fishing Owl
,Grey Headed Bushrike
Abyssinian Roller
,
Martial Eagle
,Walberge’s Eagle

Carmine Bee-eaters 
White-crested Helmetshrike

16

Final Journey Back to The Gambia

After breakfast we will say goodbye to the park, heading to The Gambia for a night stop at Bansang .

Key Species:

  1. Colony of Red THroated Bee-eaters
  2. Martial Eagle
  3. Northern Carmine Bee-eater
  4. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
  5. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle
  6. Little Green Bee-
  7. Martial Eagle
  8. Bateleur
  9. Brown Snake Eagle
  10. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle
  11. Dark Chanting Goshawk
  12. African Harrier-Hawk
  13. Yellow-billed Kite
  14. eater
  15.  

17

Further Down to Coast

We will proceed down on the South for a couple of nights’ stay Abcas Creek Hotel this will allow us to revisit wetlands and the savanna woodlands along the way to replenish our list with those we may have missed.

Key Species:

Woodland Kingfisher
,
Grey-headed Kingfisher
,
Senegal Eremomela
,
Green Wood Hoopoe
,
Fine-spotted Woodpecker

18

Departure

We will spend a little more time if time allows, to say goodbye to the Kingfisher, Herons, Owls and some Raptors on the way driving to the airport for departure.

Key Species:

Malachite Kingfisher
,
Giant Kingfisher
,
Pied Kingfisher
,
Squacco Heron
,
Black Heron

What is included?

Airport Transfer

Double or twin accommodation

Food, Water Bottle

Park Fee

Transportation

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