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Sample Birdwatching Itinerary
8-Day Classic Birding Week in The Gambia
Explore The Gambia’s forests, wetlands, river systems, mangroves, rice fields and coastal habitats with licensed local guides from the Bird Watchers’ Association, The Gambia.
8 DaysClassic coastal birding route
550+Bird species recorded in The Gambia
PrivateLicensed local bird guide
FlexibleTailor-made to your interests
Tour Overview
Designed for birders seeking a concentrated introduction to The Gambia’s exceptional coastal birdlife, this sample itinerary combines productive birding sites including Kotu Creek, Brufut Woods, Farasuto Forest, Kartong Wetlands, Pirang, Gunjur, Mandinaba, Marakissa, Darsilami Wetlands and Abuko Nature Reserve.
Forest Birding
Search for turacos, owls, sunbirds, hornbills and woodland specialists in protected forest reserves and photography hides.
Colourful Species
Enjoy excellent chances to observe bee-eaters, kingfishers, gonoleks, starlings, sunbirds and other photogenic West African birds.
Wetlands & Waterways
Explore creeks, rice fields, lagoons and mangroves for kingfishers, herons, waders, crakes, plovers and waterbirds.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be adapted according to season, accommodation preferences, photography interests and target species.
Day 1
Kotu Creek & Mangrove Boat Cruise
Explore Kotu Creek, Kotu Ponds, rice fields and surrounding habitats before enjoying a boat excursion through mangrove-lined waterways. Excellent opportunities for waterbirds, kingfishers, herons, owls, hornbills, rollers and waders.
Day 2
Brufut Woods & Tanji Bird Reserve
Morning birding in Brufut Woods, known for forest species such as turacos, kingfishers, sunbirds, parrots and barbets. Afternoon visit to Tanji Bird Reserve, combining coastal, lagoon and woodland habitats with opportunities to see bee-eaters, woodpeckers, raptors, pelicans and seabirds.
Day 3
Farasuto Forest & Photography Hide
Spend the day in Farasuto Forest, a renowned birding and photography destination with woodland, freshwater pools and mangrove habitat. Highlights may include Green Turaco, Greyish Eagle-Owl, nightjars and a wide range of forest and woodland species.
Day 4
Kartong Wetlands & Halahein River
Explore one of The Gambia’s richest birding regions, searching for ducks, jacanas, herons, stilts, raptors and other wetland species. An afternoon boat trip on the Halahein River offers close views of herons, darters, pelicans, kingfishers and waders.
Day 5
Pirang Shrimp Farm & Bonto Forest
Visit the productive wetlands of Pirang Shrimp Farm for storks, flamingos, terns and waterbirds. Continue to Bonto Forest in search of rare forest species including turacos, hornbills, flufftails, paradise flycatchers and Western Red Colobus Monkeys.
Day 6
Gunjur Quarry & Gunjur Forest Hide
Bird around Gunjur Quarry’s wetland habitats for bee-eaters, swallows, raptors and waterbirds. Afternoon photography at Gunjur Forest Hide offers close-up encounters with elusive forest birds and woodland specialists.
Day 7
Mandinaba, Marakissa & Darsilami Wetlands
Explore rice fields and farmlands around Mandinaba before heading to the biodiverse Darsilami wetlands. Optional boat excursion provides opportunities for kingfishers, painted-snipes, crakes, eagles, vultures and wetland and forest-edge species.
Day 8
Abuko Nature Reserve & Lamin Rice Fields
Conclude the tour with birding in Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia’s premier protected forest area. Finish at Lamin Rice Fields and, if time permits, visit Lamin Lodge’s mangrove ecosystem before departure.
Possible Birding Highlights
Species vary by season and location, but this itinerary offers excellent opportunities to encounter many of The Gambia’s most colourful and sought-after birds.
Violet-backed Starling
Pygmy Kingfisher
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Violet TuracoEgyptian PloverHow the Package Works
Guests choose their preferred coastal accommodation. A licensed Bird Watchers’ Association guide collects guests each day for the scheduled birding programme and returns them to their accommodation afterwards.
Included
- Airport transfers, if applicable
- Licensed bird guide services
- Private transportation
- Driver and fuel
- Entry fees to reserves and parks
- Boat excursions mentioned in the itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees, if applicable
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips and optional activities
- Accommodation and meals
About the Bird Watchers’ Association
The Bird Watchers’ Association, The Gambia is the country’s leading professional bird guiding organisation, representing more than 75 licensed bird guides. Association members possess extensive field experience across the country’s forests, wetlands, river systems and coastal habitats, helping visitors discover more than 550 bird species while supporting local guiding livelihoods and conservation efforts.
Plan Your Birding Adventure in The Gambia
Experience one of West Africa’s richest birding destinations with licensed local guides who know the country’s forests, wetlands, river systems and coastal habitats in detail.