The Gambia & Northern Senegal
15-Day Gambia & Northern Senegal: The Saloum Delta Birdwatching Tour
A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
Duration
15 days / 14 nights
Region
The Gambia & Northern Senegal
Group
Private tour, guided personally by Yaya
Accommodation
9 hotels, lodges & camps
Tour highlights
- Birdwatching at Kotu Creek, Kotu Ponds, Fajara, Brufut Woods and Tanji Bird Reserve
- Tendaba and Kiang West National Park, with excellent opportunities for Egyptian Plover
- Search for Black-bellied, White-bellied and Savile's Bustards around Kuntaur and Wassu
- Crossing into Senegal to explore the Saloum Delta by boat through mangroves and tidal channels
- Visit to the area of the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar
- Standard and Premium accommodation packages, priced per group size, plus a single-supplement option
The adventure, day by day
Day 1Arrival in The Gambia
Banjul International Airport • Hotel gardensOn arrival at Banjul International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, we may have an opportunity for relaxed introductory birding around the hotel gardens and nearby surroundings — a gentle introduction to Gambian birdlife. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey.
Long-tailed Glossy StarlingPurple StarlingWestern Plantain-eaterBrown BabblerBlackcap BabblerRed-billed HornbillSenegal CoucalVillage WeaverDinnerLemon Creek Hotel / Kombo Beach Hotel
Day 2Kotu Creek, Cycle Track, Kotu Ponds & Fajara Golf Course
Kotu Creek • Cycle Track • Kotu Ponds • Fajara Golf CourseOur first full day of birdwatching around the highly productive Kotu area — a mixture of freshwater and tidal wetlands, mangroves, open grassland, woodland and ornamental vegetation, excellent for kingfishers, herons, waders, rollers, raptors, sunbirds, weavers and migrants. We take a break during the hottest part of the day before continuing with afternoon birding where appropriate.
Pied KingfisherBlue-breasted KingfisherGiant KingfisherMalachite KingfisherAbyssinian RollerYellow-crowned GonolekRed-cheeked Cordon-bleuBlack HeronWoodland KingfisherGrey-headed GullHooded VultureHamerkopBlue-bellied RollerBroad-billed RollerWhite-billed Buffalo WeaverAfrican Harrier-HawkYellow-billed KiteBreakfast, lunch, dinnerLemon Creek Hotel / Kombo Beach Hotel
Day 3Brufut Woods, Tanji Bird Reserve & Tanji Coast
Brufut Woods • Tanji Bird Reserve • Tanji CoastWe begin at Brufut Woods, searching for forest and woodland species, before continuing to Tanji Bird Reserve. The reserve and surrounding coastal habitats provide excellent opportunities for both resident birds and Palearctic migrants, particularly gulls, terns, waders, raptors and bee-eaters.
Splendid SunbirdVariable SunbirdBeautiful SunbirdViolet TuracoGreen TuracoLong-tailed NightjarKlaas's CuckooFork-tailed DrongoScarlet-chested SunbirdGreen Fruit DoveRed-necked FalconCaspian TernOspreySulphur-breasted BushshrikeBreakfast, lunch, dinnerLemon Creek Hotel / Kombo Beach Hotel
Day 4Mandinaba Rice Fields, Farasutu Forest & Bonto Forest
Mandinaba Rice Fields • Farasutu Forest • Bonto ForestWe leave the coastal area and travel inland through a changing landscape of villages, farmland, rice fields and woodland. Farasutu is particularly interesting for forest and woodland species, while the rice fields can produce raptors, seed-eaters, waterbirds and migrants. We make additional roadside stops whenever good habitat or interesting birds are encountered.
Beaudouin's Snake EagleGreyish Eagle-OwlGreen-headed SunbirdLittle Bee-eaterYellow-breasted ApalisBrown-throated Wattle-eyeSenegal ParrotWahlberg's EagleVerreaux's Eagle-OwlGrey-headed BristlebillSnowy-crowned Robin-ChatBearded BarbetBreakfast, lunch, dinnerAbCa's Creek Lodge
Day 5Mendy Kunda, Kampanti Rice Fields & Tendaba
Mendy Kunda Photo Hide • Kampanti Rice Fields • TendabaWe continue towards Tendaba, one of the most important birding areas in southern The Gambia. Birding stops at Mendy Kunda and the Kampanti rice fields, followed by exploration around the Tendaba area, provide opportunities for raptors, waterbirds, rollers, kingfishers, bee-eaters and other savannah species.
BateleurMangrove SunbirdWhite-backed Night HeronPalm-nut VultureShikraGreater FlamingoLesser FlamingoGrasshopper BuzzardDark Chanting GoshawkLanner FalconAfrican Golden OriolePink-backed PelicanGoliath HeronBreakfast, lunch, dinnerTendaba Camp/Lodge
Day 6Tendaba, Kiang West National Park & Bateling Track
Bateling Track • Kiang West National Park • Kissi & Tunku BolongAn early start makes the most of the cooler morning temperatures. We explore Kiang West National Park and the Bateling Track, one of the best areas in the region for savannah and woodland birds, and visit the wetlands and creeks around Kissi and Tunku Bolong. Other wildlife may include monkeys and antelope. We return to Tendaba later in the day, with time to rest before dinner.
Abyssinian Ground HornbillChestnut-crowned Sparrow-WeaverStandard-winged NightjarSenegal BatisBrubruBrown-rumped BuntingYellow Penduline TitSpotted Thick-kneeTemminck's CourserBronze-winged CourserLong-crested EagleBreakfast, lunch, dinnerTendaba Camp- Day 7
Tendaba to Bansang: Soma Swamp, Dalaba Wetlands & Jahally Rice Fields
Soma Swamp • Dalaba Wetlands • Jahally Rice FieldsRather than treating the journey east simply as a transfer, we make strategic birding stops along the way. Soma Swamp, Dalaba Wetlands and Jahally Rice Fields offer excellent opportunities for waterbirds, raptors, finches, bishops and other wetland species, with birding continuing opportunistically throughout the journey.
African Pygmy GooseMarabou StorkSacred IbisRüppell's Griffon VultureBrown Snake-EagleGrey KestrelDark Chanting GoshawkRed-billed QueleaNorthern Red BishopBreakfast, lunch, dinnerRiverside Lodge, Bansang 
Day 8Bansang, Kunkilling Forest & River Gambia Boat Trip
Kunkilling Forest Park • Bansang Quarry • River GambiaWe visit Kunkilling Forest Park and Bansang Quarry, before taking a boat trip on the River Gambia — an excellent opportunity to observe kingfishers, herons, raptors and other riverine species. The river and surrounding woodland may also provide sightings of hippos, Red Colobus Monkeys and Green Vervet Monkeys.
Grey-headed KingfisherAfrican Fish EagleAfrican FinfootRed-throated Bee-eaterPearl-spotted OwletAdamawa Turtle DoveStriated HeronWestern Banded Snake EagleHadada IbisBruce's Green PigeonSenegal CoucalAfrican Scops OwlFour-banded SandgrouseBreakfast, lunch, dinnerRiverside Lodge, Bansang
Day 9Kuntaur, Wassu, Panchang Swamp & Kaur Wetlands
Kuntaur Rice Fields • Wassu • Njean Sanjali • Panchang Swamp • Kaur Wetland • Solomon WaterholeWe explore some of the most rewarding open-country birding habitats in the eastern part of the tour, focused on bustards, coursers, larks, raptors and waterbirds.
Egyptian PloverExclamatory Paradise WhydahBlack-bellied BustardWhite-bellied BustardSavile's BustardSpeckled-fronted WeaverSudan Golden SparrowMottled SpinetailMarsh HarrierCollared PratincoleBreakfast, lunch, dinnerMorgan Kunda Lodge
Day 10Baobolong Wetlands, Kerewan Swamps & Crossing into Senegal
Baobolong Wetland • Kerewan Swamps • Berending Woods • Fathala areaWe leave The Gambia and continue towards Senegal, with birding stops around Baobolong Wetland, Kerewan Swamps and Berending Woods, plus further opportunities around the Fathala area. After completing border formalities, we continue to Toubakouta and the Saloum Delta region.
White-crested HelmetshrikePink-backed PelicanGreat White PelicanStriped KingfisherSwallow-tailed Bee-eaterKittlitz's PloverHelmeted GuineafowlChestnut-bellied StarlingAnteater ChatBreakfast, lunch, dinnerHotel Keur Saloum- Day 11
Saloum Delta & Ile de Kousmar Scissor-tailed Kite Colony
Saloum Delta National Park • Kousmar / Njafat area • Kaolack salt lakeOne of the major highlights of the tour: we explore the Saloum Delta, an extraordinary landscape of mangroves, tidal channels, mudflats and islands. Subject to local conditions and access, we visit the area associated with the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar, one of the key birding attractions of this region.
Abyssinian Ground HornbillScissor-tailed KiteAfrican Collared DoveSpeckled PigeonSavile's BustardBlack-crowned CraneLesser KestrelShort-toed Snake EagleKittlitz's PloverGreater FlamingoBreakfast, lunch, dinnerHotel Keur Saloum - Day 12
Saloum Delta Boat Excursion & Toubakouta Woodlands
Saloum Delta National Park • ToubakoutaAn extended boat excursion takes us through mangrove channels and tidal habitats, looking for herons, kingfishers, cormorants, terns, gulls and shorebirds. After the boat trip, there may be an opportunity for additional woodland birding around Toubakouta, with the route remaining flexible depending on weather, tides and local conditions.
Goliath HeronTiger HeronCaspian TernRoyal TernAudouin's GullSanderlingDunlinEurasian OystercatcherBreakfast, lunch, dinnerHotel Keur Saloum 
Day 13Return to The Gambia: Fathala, Bund Road & Cape Creek
Fathala area • Bund Road • Cape CreekWe continue birding around the Fathala area before travelling towards the ferry crossing and returning to the Kombo region. Once back in The Gambia, we explore Bund Road and Cape Creek, two productive coastal wetland areas.
African Pygmy KingfisherWestern BluebillDwarf BitternPurple HeronBlack-crowned Night HeronLavender WaxbillBar-breasted FirefinchGreater Painted-snipeWhite-faced Scops OwlLesser Blue-eared Glossy StarlingBreakfast, lunch, dinnerLemon Creek Hotel / Kombo Beach Hotel
Day 14Tujering Woods, Gunjur Forest, Kartong & Halahein River
Tujering Woods • Gunjur Forest • Kartong old sand mine • Halahein RiverWe return to the southern coastal region for another full day of birding, beginning at Tujering Woods and Gunjur Forest, searching for woodland species before continuing to the old Kartong sand mine and wetlands. Later, a boat trip along the Halahein River offers a different range of mangrove, wetland and riverine species.
Black-crowned TchagraSinging CisticolaTawny-flanked PriniaSenegal EremomelaGreen WoodhoopoeEurasian HoopoeGreen HyliaCapuchin BabblerPurple SwamphenKnob-billed DuckBreakfast, lunch, dinnerLemon Creek Hotel- Day 15
Final Morning Birding & Departure
Kotu Creek • Cycle Track • Kotu Ponds or alternative siteOur final morning is kept flexible. Depending on your flight departure time, we can revisit Kotu Creek, the Cycle Track and Kotu Ponds in search of species missed earlier in the tour, or visit another nearby site to target birds still outstanding on your list. We return to the hotel for lunch and prepare for the journey to Banjul International Airport.
Breakfast, lunchDay room/hotel until departure, where applicable
Photo gallery
A few of the species you have a real chance of finding on this tour — photographed by Yaya in the field.
Where you'll stay
A mix of coastal hotels and riverside lodges and camps along the route, chosen for comfort and location rather than luxury.
Key sites on this tour
Western Region, coastal Gambia, near Brufut village (a short drive from the Kotu/Kololi/Senegambia resort area)
Brufut Woods (also known as Brufut Forest or the Brufut Woods Nature Trail) is a small community-managed patch of coastal woodland and forest on the edge of Brufut village, easily reached from the coastal resort area. It's one of the best-known sites in the country for owls and for the Long-tailed Nightjar, and is popular with visiting birders for its mix of dense forest, open woodland, scrub and grassy clearings along a network of trails.
West Coast Region, Atlantic coast of The Gambia
Tanji River (Karinti) Bird Reserve, gazetted in 1993, is widely regarded as the richest single site for bird species in The Gambia. It combines coastal lagoons, mangrove, and dune scrub woodland with the offshore Bijol Islands, which hold The Gambia's only breeding seabird colonies.
Lower River Region
Kiang West is The Gambia's largest national park, spanning savanna woodland, tidal mudflats and mangrove creeks along the south bank of the Gambia River. It's renowned among birders for exceptional raptor diversity and is a stronghold for species rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
Kombo South, far south-western Gambia, near the Senegal border
Kartong Bird Observatory is West Africa's only permanent bird ringing/research station, sited on the edge of Kartong village beside a reed-fringed former sand-mine pool that holds water most of the year. Ringers here have logged an estimated 260-350 species (counts vary by source) and run an internationally recognised migration-monitoring programme alongside guided birding and boat trips on the Halahin River.
North Bank Region, River Gambia
Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, on the north bank of the River Gambia roughly opposite Tendaba, was the first site in The Gambia designated under the Ramsar Convention and is recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Its mangrove creeks, tidal mudflats, saltmarsh and flooded savanna support a rich mix of resident waterbirds, raptors and Palearctic migrants, typically explored by boat from Tendaba Camp.
Pricing
| Group size | Standard / person | Premium / person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | £2,685 | £2,950 |
| 4 people | £2,550 | £2,800 |
| 6 people | £2,450 | £2,700 |
| 8 people | £2,350 | £2,600 |
| 10 people | £2,250 | £2,500 |
Single supplement: £300 per person.
International flights are not included. For private groups, this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your pace, interests and accommodation preferences — see what's included or ask Yaya for a custom quote.
Want this tour tailored to your group?
Dates, pace, target species and accommodation can all be adjusted — tell Yaya what matters most to you and he'll build the trip around it.