SENEGAMBIA BIRDING â“’ PRESENTS BELGAMBIA LODGE Mandinari
A unique concept in a prime location at an unbeatable price. Only at Senegambia birding!
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Discover Our Hidden Gem in the Tanbi Wetlands
Our lodge is nestled within the Tanbi Wetland Complex, located at the southern entrance to the Gambia River estuary. Covering approximately 6,000 hectares—of which 4,800 are pristine mangroves—this protected area lies to the west and southwest of Banjul. Just a 40-minute drive from Banjul International Airport, our tranquil location offers the perfect escape from mass tourism. Due to our remote setting among the mangroves, we offer full-board accommodation only. The entire lodge is securely fenced, and our team ensures safety and privacy at all times—your room and belongings are well protected.
Whenever you join an optional excursion, a trusted member of our team will always accompany you.
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All rooms are equipped with quality fans, six universal power outlets (no adapters needed), USB chargers, and 24/7 electricity thanks to our new solar-powered lithium LiFePO4 system. We're proud to say our lodge is 100% solar-powered.
Spend a relaxing week in beautiful Mandinari, surrounded by vibrant birds and lush nature. Our spacious rooms feature four-poster beds and private bathrooms. We serve delicious local dishes as well as European favorites like mashed potatoes with chicken breast, spaghetti Bolognese, fries with stew, and more. Refresh yourself with soft drinks, cold beer, wine, and—when available—cocktails like gin & tonic or gin-wonjo.
Our professional photo hide, beautifully set among cashew trees and mangroves, is available to all guests. It accommodates up to five people and may be shared with others during your stay. You can also join our local guide for an optional walk through the mangroves right behind the lodge. Additional excursions can be arranged on request—scroll down for a list of options that depart directly from our lodge.
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Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help and answer any questions about your stay in The Gambia.
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BELGAMBIA LODGE - ACCOMODATION ONLY
Full-board accommodation only, without guide and without excursions.
Double room / Price per person (min. 2 pax)
Solo travelers, see bottom of this page.​​
Your journey includes airport pick-up and return transfer, all meals throughout your stay, and accommodation in a clean and comfortable room equipped with electricity, a private bathroom, and a double bed with fan. Enjoy unlimited access to our on-site photo hide, optional nature walks with a local guide, and free WiFi. This trip requires a minimum of two participants. Solo travellers are welcome—please scroll down for applicable rates.
At Senegambia Birding, everything revolves around quality, passion, and personal guidance. You're not booking a standard trip – you're booking a tailor-made experience, with care for people, nature, and every detail. Book today and embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of West Africa.
SENEGAMBIA BIRDING / BELGAMBIA LODGE Mandinari EXCURSIONS
​With the Easy Birding package, you’ll enjoy 6 unique excursions – one each day. Put together your perfect adventure below!
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Tanbi wetlands: Vast wetlands just a few kilometres from the lodge, near the Atlantic Ocean.
This diverse and bird-rich area offers excellent opportunities to spot rare and iconic species, including Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Abyssinian Roller, White-throated Bee-eater, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Sandgrouse, and many others.
This location can be visited either in the morning or afternoon, depending on lighting conditions and your preference.
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Lamin rice fields: Extensive rice fields and vegetable gardens just 5 km from the lodge.
Thanks to the abundance of water, this area is exceptionally rich in birdlife. You may encounter several species of kingfishers, African Jacana, Black Heron (well-known for its “umbrella feeding” technique), Palmnut Vultures, and many others.
We usually visit this area in the morning, when the soft early light is ideal for observation and photography.
Optional: a short visit to Lamin Lodge, located by the mangroves, is a perfect addition for those seeking a bit more exploration.
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Farasuto forest + Mr. Bah hide: A top birding location 25 km inland from the lodge.
This reserve has recorded over 100 bird species, with another 100+ observed in the surrounding areas. It’s a true favourite among birdwatchers and photographers alike. You have a good chance of spotting the Green Turaco, Greyish Eagle Owl, and, with some luck, various nightjar species.
This excursion takes half a day: departure in the early morning and return around 1:00 PM.
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Mandinari woodlands & mangroves: Together with a local guide, you’ll explore the immediate surroundings of the lodge on foot. Choose between a relaxed walk along the mangroves and through the woodlands, or a visit to the nearby village and its local market.
Along the way, you’ll pass vegetable gardens that attract many bird species, making this walk ideal for both observation and photography.
Two photo hides are also located near the lodge, perfectly positioned for quiet and unobtrusive birdwatching.
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Kotu bridge with boat trip: We depart early morning to Kotu, the place-to-be on the coast for birding. The Kotu Bridge and its surrounding rice fields offer a feast for bird lovers. Here, we also take a boat ride along the Kotu Stream through the mangroves. From near water level, you can photograph ibises, black herons, pygmy cormorants, kingfishers, and many other waterbirds. Half-day excursion.​
Kartong wetlands and beach: ​A unique birding site with freshwater pools, coastal dunes, and sandy beaches, where over 250 bird species have been recorded.
During this half-day excursion, we first explore the wetlands, where the variety of habitats supports an incredible diversity of birdlife.
We finish at the Atlantic beach, where you can relax and enjoy the view — perhaps with a refreshing drink in hand.
Marakissa and Dasilameh: ​ Half-day excursion to Marakissa and Dasilameh – a paradise for bird lovers.
This region, located along the Halahin River, is known for its many freshwater pools and wide variety of bird species.
With a half-day tour, you visit one of the two areas.
If you opt for a full-day excursion, we combine both locations and offer the opportunity for canoeing on the Halahin River — a peaceful and unique way to experience birds and nature from the water.
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Abuko Nature Reserve: Abuko is a small, fenced forest reserve of 106 hectares, located along the main road on the southern bank, just 3 km from the edge of Serekunda’s urban area. The reserve features around 5 km of walking trails through dense tropical forest and wetland zones.
In addition to numerous bird species, you may also encounter monkeys, squirrels, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and other small mammals and reptiles.
An ideal location for combining wildlife and nature within easy reach of the coast.
Brufut woods: Brufut forest is a beautiful birding location. The area is managed by the West African Bird Study Association in collaboration with the community of Brufut. The area consists of a small patch of dense coastal forest and open forest. A great place for birdwatching and known for being a good spot for spotting the Long-tailed Nightjar, which is usually seen here.
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Gunjur Quarry: Gunjur Quarry, a former sand excavation site now filled with rainwater, has been transformed into a remarkable wetland paradise just a short walk from the beach. This ever-changing habitat attracts a wide variety of waterbirds and raptors. Highlights include regular sightings of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, often seen in flocks, and Ospreys, with up to 30–40 individuals wintering in this area annually.
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Cultural excursions: Looking to experience more than just birding?
We offer a range of engaging and varied cultural excursions — perfect for getting a closer look at daily life in The Gambia.
Visit the Crocodile Pool in Bakau, a sacred site home to dozens of crocodiles, or walk among curious green monkeys in Bijilo’s Monkey Park.
In Tanji, discover the bustling fishing village and its colourful market, while a visit to a local school offers heartwarming encounters with children and teachers.
At the Senegambia Craft Market, you’ll find handmade crafts and woodcarvings from local artisans.
The Serrekunda Market, the largest in the country, immerses you in a lively mix of sights, scents, and sounds.
Cape Point’s fishing market offers an authentic look at coastal fishery traditions. Prefer something more relaxing? A day at the beach is always an option. These excursions are flexible and easy to fit into your itinerary — tailored to your pace and interests.
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SENEGAMBIA BIRDING / BELGAMBIA LODGE Mandinari RATES
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⬤ Belgambia lodge, 8 days, full board, stay only without guide and without excursions = € 380.00 pp. (min. 2 people).
⬤ Recommended = Easy Birding package, 8 days, full board, bird guide, 6 excursions and airport transfers = € 580.00 pp. (min 2 people).
⬤ Single room supplement (if staying min. 2 people, shared guide and excursions) = + €80.00 pp.
Alternatively and without supplement we have 2 rooms with separate beds. (Beds can be separated with a curtain)
⬤ Surcharge single traveller Easy Birding package = + € 195.00
You can book this trip without a deposit. A simple proof of your booked flight is enough to confirm your spot.
Book with peace of mind – plan now, pay later.
Don’t wait too long and secure your place for an unforgettable adventure!
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