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Holidays with a Difference

 

Birdwatching in Gambia

Home to over 540 different species, bird life here is truly fascinating and guaranteed to stimulate both the expert and the amateur birdwatcher alike.

The Gambia is a small country and one can cover the many different habitats in a short period of time, from canopied forest islands on the coast, through reed beds and marshlands to a diversity of mangrove.

To ensure you get the most from the birdwatching opportunities in The Gambia and Senegal we offer a variety of options to suit all, from a casual interest through to birdwatching safaris with specialist companies or create your own itinerary.

Birdwatching in Gambia with Chris Packham

Following last year’s popular trip, once again you can join TV presenter and keen birdwatcher Chris Packham for three days birdwatching in The Gambia with the additional option of spending time upriver at Chimpanzee Island.

“Is it nine or ten times I’ve been to The Gambia? I’ve lost count but lost no enthusiasm for this fabulous country and the amazing birdwatching opportunities it offers. In fact, unlike so many places that one returns to, The Gambia actually seems to get better and better. So why is it so good? Short flights, no time difference, great hotels, fabulous food, friendly people, no crime, perfect climate, good value, and… more birds than you could shake a stick at on your doorstep. Not that we shake sticks at birds of course! Many of the hotels have ‘garden lists’ that would make you envious and many others are just a short walk from a fantastic diversity of species, many of which will be entirely new to you if you have not ‘done Africa’ bird-wise. And they are tame ‘ish’, so it’s an amazing place to perfect your photographic skills. Megan, my little girl who likes her wildlife (what did you expect?), loves it here too. You see it’s not ‘off the beaten track’; you can combine lots of fun with the fauna and keep everyone happy. Perfect for families who want a little more wildlife than lives around the pool! Lastly I’m starting a club. Nothing exclusive – please join. It’s called the ‘Kotu 100 Club’ and you get instant lifelong membership when you’ve seen a hundred different bird species from the Kotu stream bridge. And you get to be president if you can do it in a day! Not easy but not impossible and on my next trip I’m going to ‘dawn till dusk’ it on the bridge and I bet fifty species is easy, seventy fine… a hundred? I can’t wait. See you there.”

Chris Packham

Join TV presenter and keen birdwatcher Chris Packham for three days birdwatching in The Gambia.

The birdwatching trip will run between 15th and 18th February with Chimp Island between 19th and 21st February 2008; these can be part of a longer holiday at any of the hotels in Kotu. You will visit various habitats for the best chance of seeing the widest range of birds, including trips to Abuko nature reserve, walking tours of Kotu stream and the local area and a catamaran trip, enabling you to see water birds and the added bonus of an occasional dolphin. At Chimp Island you will see an array of birdlife as well as seeing chimps in their natural habitat, alongside other wildlife. With a maximum of just 12 people on the bird trip and 8 people on the chimpanzee add-on, there will be plenty of opportunity to learn from Chris’ extensive knowledge but it is essential to book early. For full details call 0845 330 4567. Add £265 to the price of your chosen hotel for the bird trip only and £650 for both trips. (Please note Chimp Island is based on twin occupancy and we cannot accept singles).

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Tanji Week

Comprising three and a half days of excursions covering a wide range of habitats. The excursions cover the Tanji area plus a trip into bush habitat and mangrove creeks. Add £140 to the price of your chosen hotel.

A relaxed introduction to birdwatching in Gambia.

Full day Abuko Nature Reserve

Abuko, the principle nature reserve in The Gambia is home to over 250 species. The reserve is neither a zoo nor a game reserve but an area of 180 acres, which places emphasis on the protection and conservation of nature as a whole. A small piece of jungle habitat in the middle of the savannah.

Full Day Tanji

Tanji Bird Reserve is a government-protected area with a multitude of undisturbed habitat in scenic surroundings; over 200 species have been recorded in the area.

Full Day boat trip

Depart from Denton Bridge, host to a wide variety of species and sail through the still waters of Oyster Creek into the mangrove-covered tributaries. This is a chance to get a close up view of the aquatic bird life of The Gambia. Stops may be made in Banjul, Sarro and Lamin.

Gambian Aviary

Set off to meet the 'dawn chorus' at Joyea Lodge on Mandina Bolong and take a traditional African dug out canoe through the mangrove creeks, to explore the narrow waterways around Kubuneh Island. After approximately three hours of exploration it's back to Joyea Lodge for brunch, in an area where up to 200 different species of bird-life have been found. After brunch, continue exploring with a leisurely stroll around neighbouring Kubuneh.

Price - £140 - Add to price of chosen hotel

Proposed dates for the Tanji week are 20th January 2008 & 30th March 2008 - numbers are strictly limited on each one.

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Plover Week

A must for the truly dedicated birdwatcher wanting a hotel-based holiday in the coastal region. Four and a half days of guided birdwatching with other like-minded individuals. The excursions will cover the best opportunities to see a wide variety of species. Add £185 to the price of your chosen hotel.

Full Day Abuko Nature Reserve

Abuko, the principle nature reserve in The Gambia is home to over 250 species. The reserve is neither a zoo nor a game reserve but an area of 180 acres, which places emphasis on the protection and conservation of nature as a whole. A small piece of jungle habitat in the middle of the savannah.

Gambian Aviary

Set off to meet the 'dawn chorus' at Joyea Lodge on Mandina Bolong and take a traditional African dug out canoe through the mangrove creeks, to explore the narrow waterways around Kubuneh Island. After approximately three hours of exploration it's back to Joyea Lodge for brunch, in an area where up to 200 different species of bird-life have been found. After brunch, continue exploring with a leisurely stroll around neighbouring Kubuneh.

Full Day Tropical Birding

Visit Pirang, a Mandinka village and Kuloro Camp. The locality consists of scattered trees interspersed with tall grass, shrubs and wooded stretches.

Full Day Sewage Farm

Visit the renowned areas of Camalou Corner, Bund Road and a sewage farm, where the combination of estuary, extensive tidal flats and mangrove swamps are enhanced by the nourishment of sewage water. This makes a rich feeding ground for a variety of bird life.

Full Day Bush Trip

A combination of excellent birding areas are visited during the day to include Yundum, Lamin Rice Fields, Brufut and Marakissa Koro.

Price - £185 - Add to price of chosen hotel

Proposed dates for the Plover week are 18th November 2007 & 10th February 2008 - numbers are strictly limited on each one.

In addition to our own birdwatching tours, we have worked closely for many years with specialists offering fully escorted birdwatching holidays in The Gambia. Numbers for these tours are strictly limited so we suggest you book as early as possible. For more information including tour details, departure dates, availability and prices, please contact each company direct.

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In Addition

In addition to our own birdwatching tours, we have worked closely for many years with specialists offering fully escorted birdwatching holidays in The Gambia.

Numbers for these tours are strictly limited so we suggest you book as early as possible. For more information including tour details, departure dates, availability and prices, please contact each company direct.

In Addition

There are fantastic opportunities for birdwatching in Senegal.

The Saloum Delta National Park is an area of mangroves, coastal lagoons and islands and an absolute haven for hundreds of species of birds. Many of the hotels we work with offer day trips for keen ornithologists with experienced guides.