Upriver Sites

Situated in the upper river region, Basse is about 385 kilometres away from the capital city, Banjul.  It lies on the south bank of the river Gambia at a point which is fresh water all year around.  The area is a very good birdwatching site. Some of the species possible to see there include Egyptian Plover, Carmine Bee-eater, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Adamawa Turtle Dove, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Shining-blue Kingfisher,  African Finfoot,  Little Green Bee-eater, and many more.

Formerly known as Georgetown.  It is situated on a large island on the Gambia River. Janjanbureh is perhaps the most popular place ’up river’ for birdwatchers to stay and accommodation there is excellent.

Some of the species that can be seen around the area include Shining-blue Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, African Finfoot, Knob-billed Duck, Hadada Ibis, Swamp Flycatcher, Crimson Seed Cracker, White Crested Tiger Bittern, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Verreaux’s Owl, White-headed Vulture and many more.

This bridge is another good stopping point when travelling ‘up river’.  The bridge connects Kombo and Kiang.  This area is particularly good for swifts, storks, pelicans, herons, kingfishers and raptors.  You can have refreshment and food at a nearby restaurant, which is about 5 minutes walk from the bridge.

This wetland is a small swamp which retains water throughout most of the dry season, and is on the main highway to Janjanburgh.

It is an excellent stopping point for birdwatchers, with an opportunity to see Egyptian Plover, Little Bittern, White-crowned Plover, Greater Painted-snipe, Purple Swamphen, Quail Finch, Carmine Bee-eater, Ruff, Collared Pratincole, White-faced Whistling Duck and many more.

Located in the lower river region. The area is about 15 minutes from Tendaba camp and covers 110 square kilometres.  Almost all the remaining species of animals in the Gambia can be found within the park. The site has a variety of different habitats, dry savannah, mangrove forest, creek, salt pans and tidal flats.  Nearly 300 species of birds  are recorded and over 23 raptor species.  Some of the species that can be seen within the park include Brown-necked Parrot, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Red-shoulder Cuckooshrike, Violet-backed Starling, Pygmy Sunbird, Temminck’s Courser, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Senegal Batis, Singing Cisticola, Red-winged Warbler, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Bateleur, Ayres Hawk Eagle, African Hobby, Common  Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long Crested Eagle, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard and many more.

Located in south-east Senegal, covering an area almost the size of The Gambia, with 900 square kilometres.  Different mammals and over 350 species of birds can be found within the park.  Some of the mammals include antelopes, bushbuck, duikers, buffalo, warthog, elephant, lion and leopard etc.  Some of the bird species include Swallow-tailed Kite, Pel's Fishing Owl, Secretary Bird, Lesser-striped Swallow, Egyptian Plover, Splendid Glossy Starling, Mocking Cliff Chat, Capuchin Babbler, Red-headed Weaver, White-crowned Lapwing.

The last bridge along the main highway before you leave the Lower River Division and pass to Central River Division.  It is worth a brief stop to look for raptors, Marabou Stork, small birds and water birds.

This site is another good stopping point on the way to Janjanburgh.  The area is 1 km east of the village Panchang.  A large pool at the side of the road that usually keeps its water throughout the dry season.  Some of the species to be seen include African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Moorhen, Common Moorhen, Sudan Golden Sparrow, Zebra Waxbill, Black Crake, African Silverbill, Bishops and many more.

Possibly the best known and most  frequently visited camp in the ‘up river’ region.  It is often used as a stop over point on a visit further up country. The camp is situated in the lower river region at the heart of the small village of Tendaba, located on the bank of the River Gambia.  

If you wish to take full advantage of the area, it is possible to have two or more days there.  Within walking distance of the camp, you will find Tendaba airfield, Tendaba Kwinella back way track, Batelling bush track and Kiang West National Park.  For Tanku and Kissi Creek you will need to hire boat from the camp.

Some of the species which can be seen this area include, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-crowned Crane, Spotted Thick-Knee, White-backed Night Heron, Goliath Heron, African Finfoot, African Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, Standard-winged Nightjar, Bronze-winged Courser, African Scops Owl, Mosque Swallow, White-backed Vulture, Mouse Brown Sunbird, White-throated Bee-eater, and many more.

Is about 300 kilo-metres away from the capital Banjul and 15 minutes drive from Janjanburgh. The village is an historical place in the Gambia. This site will give you the opportunity to visit the heritage site of the mysterious STONE CIRCLE in the Gambia.  The area is a very good birdwatching site on the way to Janjanburgh.  Some of the species possible to see here include Carmine Bee-eater, Northern Anteater Chat, Red-rumped Swallow, Pin-tailed Whydah and many more.