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.

 

The rice fields are 200km from the coast on the south bank of the Gambia river, close to the agricultural research station of Sapu to the west of janjanbureh ( Georgetown).

The first and the largest Pump irrigated rice cultivation project in the Gambia, fed from the river and created by the drainage of freshwater. The rice cultivated throughout the year and largest standing water in the central river region in the dry season. 

There are some abandoned fields and natural pools with patches of tall swamp varieties of vegetation and floating plants. The rice Fields still regularly hold several thousand bird species.

Some of the species that can be seen here include Black Coucal, Common Snipe, African Pygmy Goose, Common Moorhen, Marabou Stork, Purple Swamphen, African Crake, African Reed Warbler, African Spoonbill, Little  Bittern, Yellow  Billed  Stork, Spur Winged Goose, Marsh Harrier, African fish Eagle, Quail finch, Sandpipers, Grebe, Jacana, etc. 

This is one of the best known sites for Raptors in the Gambia. Good stopping point on the way while travelling up country. Is located on the trans Gambia high way. The pool which is on both sides of the road retains its water the all year round. Some of the species that can be seen here include; Wahlberg Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Booted, Beaudouin's snake Eagle, Martial  Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Rupple Griffone Vulture, Grasshopper Buzzard, Palm Nut Vulture, Aryres  hawk Eagle, Grey Headed Bush Shrike, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow Throated leaflove, Violet  Turaco,Lesser  Honeyguide, Bearded Barbet,Sunbirds, Flycatchers White crested Helmet Shrike, Bru bru, Herons and Egrets. etc. 

Kampanty is also possible for fully day trip from any of the coastal hotels.

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.

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.

Is located on northern shore of the  Gambia river has become increasingly popular due to the diverse habitats and excellent variety of birds on offer.  It's located right on the doorstep of  Boabolong wetland makes the perfect base for exploring the rich birdlife of the Gambia north bank region. The tour can either 1,2 or more nights stay. 

The farmland and dry Sudan Savannah are ideal for many species of birds such as  Savile's Bustard,Speckle Fronted  Weaver, Sahel Paradise  Whydah, Northern  Anti Eater  Chat,Flappet Lark, Chestnut  Backed  Sparrow  Lark, Abyssinian Ground  Hornbill,  Gaba Goshawk,White  Fronted  Black  Chat,Mosque  Swallow, and Green  Winged  Pythlia.