Touch down at Banjul International Airport and slide into our private transfer—just 12 km to Belgambia Lodge in the emerald heart of the Tanbi Wetlands. Check in with a cool welcome drink, breathe in the mangroves, and unpack at leisure. Then step outside: birds, soft light, expert guides, and photo hides await. Your adventure starts immediately, from the first moment.

​

After breakfast, immerse yourself in Tanbi Wetlands and Mandinari rice fields: Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, Senegal Thick-knee, African Jacana, Black Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bee-eater, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, and Osprey. Settle into the SGB photo hide for intimate, eye-level portraits and action bursts. Return to Belgambia Lodge for sundowners, a fresh local dinner, soft evening light, and a peaceful overnight stay.

Morning at Kotu Bridge and Fajara Nature Trail: Pied, Malachite & Giant Kingfishers, Western Reef Heron, Senegal Thick-knee, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Little Bee-eater, Beautiful Sunbird. Drift Kotu Creek for Osprey and Whimbrel. Enjoy lunch, then work the Kotu rice fields for African Jacana, Black Crake, Squacco Heron and Wood Sandpiper. Return to Belgambia Lodge for sundowners and a peaceful evening; overnight.

Travel 150 km upriver to Tendaba in Kiang West, pausing at prime savanna and wetland stops—Abyssinian Roller, Grasshopper Buzzard, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Red-billed Quelea. After check-in, glide by boat through the mangroves of Kiang West National Park in search of African Finfoot and dazzling kingfishers. Enjoy a sunset riverside dinner; overnight at Tendaba Camp (VIP air-conditioned room).

At sunrise, bird Kwinella’s woodlands for Bateleur, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Striped-Kingfishers, Bearded Barbet—and with luck, Temminck’s Courser. Then drift the Tendaba creeks and settle into the photo hide for African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Goliath and Squacco Herons, Malachite and Blue-breasted Kingfishers. Unwind with river views, a fresh local dinner, and overnight in Belgambia Lodge Jarjari - air-conditioned room.

Start the day with a boat trip through the mangrove creeks near Tendaba. Look for African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Goliath Heron, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Malachite Kingfisher along the shaded banks.

Later, explore Kwinella Woodland for Bateleur, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Striped Kingfisher and Bearded Barbet, or spend time photographing birds at Gibrik Hide. Your guide will choose the best option based on recent sightings and the light. Return to Tendaba Camp for dinner and a quiet evening by the river.

Begin at Njau Pool in golden light, targeting Egyptian Plover, Spur-winged & African Wattled Lapwings, Kittlitz’s Plover, Collared Pratincole, plus Wood/Marsh Sandpiper and Little Stint. Continue 60 km to Kuntaur with a stop at Wassu sand quarry for the dazzling Red-throated Bee-eater colony—also watch for Northern Anteater-Chat, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark and Grasshopper Buzzard. Arrive mid-afternoon at Kairoh Garden; scan the jetty for Swamp Flycatcher, Oriole Warbler and Giant Kingfisher.

Peaceful overnight on the river.

Begin at Wassu Quarry in golden light as sand cliffs glow with Red-throated Bee-eaters, plus Northern Anteater-Chat, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, and Grasshopper Buzzard. Cruise the Gambia River National Park to observe chimpanzees on the Baboon Islands and hippos, with African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Giant Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher and if we are lucky the African finfoot.

Return to Kairoh Garden for a tranquil riverside dinner and overnight.

Leave Kuntaur and take the local ferry across the Gambia River to Georgetown (Janjanbureh). From the historic island town, continue to Kunkilling Forest Park for a guided walk through the riverside woodland. Look for Adamawa Turtle Dove, African Green Pigeon and Green Hylia among the trees, then scan the riverbanks for African Finfoot and Shining-blue Kingfisher. Keep an eye on the palms for Red-necked Falcon.

Start the day with a boat trip on the Gambia River. Scan the shaded banks for the elusive African Finfoot and look for African Fish Eagles perched high above the water.

Continue to Bansang for an afternoon of birding along the river. Watch the shallows for herons and check the overhanging branches for kingfishers. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at River Side Lodge in Bansang.

Leave Georgetown after breakfast and travel via Basse, crossing into Senegal at Sabi. Allow around five to six hours for the journey to Campement de Wassadou, including the border crossing and short stops.

On arrival, settle into this simple riverside camp with basic rooms and fans. Spend the rest of the afternoon birding around the camp and enjoying the view over a quiet bend in the Gambia River. Look for African Blue Flycatcher in the riverside trees and Shining-blue Kingfisher along the water. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Spend today birding around Campement de Wassadou. Look for Shining-blue Kingfisher along the river and African Blue Flycatcher in the riverside woodland.

In the morning, head out by boat on the Gambia River. Keep an eye out for hippos in the water and scan the banks and sandbars for Northern Carmine Bee-eaters and Egyptian Plovers.

Spend the morning exploring the villages and countryside around Wassadou, with time for birding, photography and a glimpse of daily life in the area.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Gambia River. Look out for hippos in the water, Northern Carmine Bee-eaters along the banks and Egyptian Plovers on exposed sandbars. After the boat trip, return to Campement de Wassadou.

Spend the morning birding around Wassadou before crossing the border back into The Gambia. Continue to Basse Santa Su for an overnight stay at Triple K Hotel, where you can relax by the swimming pool after the drive.

Start the morning birding along the Gambia River near Basse Bridge. Scan the riverbanks for Egyptian Plover and watch for Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters before continuing to Kudang.

In the afternoon, explore the Jahally rice fields. Check the shallow pools and muddy edges for Greater Painted-snipe and African Jacana, and look for Purple Heron and Winding Cisticola among the taller vegetation.

Start the morning around Kudang in search of Marabou Storks. Then drive via the Senegambia Bridge to Morgan Kunda Lodge in Jarjari, allowing around 2 to 2½ hours for the journey.

Spend the afternoon birding in the Bao Bolong Wetlands, scanning the waterways and marsh edges for waterbirds. Overnight at Morgan Kunda Lodge.

Start the morning in the open fields around Jarjari, looking for ground hornbills and bustards. Continue to the nearby quarry for more birding and photography.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Bao Bolong Wetlands, scanning the marshes and channels for waterbirds. Overnight at Morgan Kunda Lodge.

Leave Morgan Kunda Lodge in the morning and drive to Marakissa via the Senegambia Bridge. Allow around 3½ hours for the journey.

In the afternoon, explore the Marakissa wetlands along the Halahin River. Watch for Blue-breasted and Giant Kingfishers along the river, and scan the shallows for Black Herons and African Jacanas. Overnight at Belgambia Lodge Marakissa.

Start the morning with a boat trip on the Halahin River. Scan the overhanging branches for Giant, Blue-breasted and Malachite Kingfishers, with time to photograph them from the water.

In the afternoon, explore the Darsilameh wetlands near the border with Senegal’s Casamance region. Look for herons, egrets and waders in the rice fields and shallow pools before returning to Belgambia Lodge Marakissa.

Start the morning at the former Pirang Shrimp Farm, following the paths between the shallow ponds. Scan the pools for Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill and Yellow-billed Stork, and check the muddy edges for Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and Curlew Sandpiper.

After birding and photography at Pirang, continue to Belgambia Lodge Mandinari.

On your final day, enjoy a relaxed morning at Belgambia Lodge Mandinari, with time to sit in the photo hide or explore the surrounding woodlands. It’s the perfect chance to capture a last highlight or simply reflect on the journey. In the afternoon, transfer to Banjul Airport, where this unforgettable adventure comes to an end.