These visits involve overnight stays
Fass ngaga choi
This is a traditional market town on the north bank very different from the tourist area giving an opportunity to see the real Gambian way of life. Electricity is being connected, Wednesday is market day which is worth seeing.
In close proximity to wetlands, rice fields and peanut fields it gives great opportunities for possible sightings includeingred-throated pipit, greater short-toed lark, black-bellied and Savile's bustards, double-spurred francolin, Abyssinian ground hornbill, dark-chanting goshawk, bush petronia, northern sahel wydah, yellow-fronted canary, lavender waxbills.
Overnight stay is in Fass at the lodge run by the charity Helping (www.helping-gambia.org.uk) all proceeds going to help children and families in Gambia - there is no pressure to donate to the charity. The rooms are en-suite with comfortable beds and are western standard. There is a bantaba where food is served and a number of bird feeders in the gardens. Do not expect a club and restaurant scene.
Tendaba
Tendaba camp is on the riverside and although over 100km from Banjul the river is still tidal. There are swimming pools together with restaurants and bars accommodation being in African bungalows many with toilets and showers. There is the opportunity to take a boat ride up one of the creeks penetrating deep into the forest. Bird species you may spot during this trip include blue flycatcher, white-throated bee-eater, woolly-necked stork, glossy and hadaba ibis, goliath heron, Bruce's green pigeon, Pel's fishing owl, grasshopper buzzards, dwarf bittern, Wahlberg's eagle, woodland kingfisher, short-toed eagle.
At Tendaba airport the following species can be found: standard-winged nightjar, brown-backed woodpeckers,, fish eagles, ground hornbills, larks and pipits together with mammals such as marsh mongoose, bush pig and many others.
Boabolong Wetland Reserve
This is an internationally recognised wetland featuring significant fauna and flora. Bird species number some 270 and include :hamerkop, Pel's fishing owl, knob-billed duck, African darter, mouse-brown sunbird, spur-winged lapwings, pygmy goose, red-necked buzzard, white-backed night heron, white-faced whistling duck, marabou stork, little bittern, goliath heron, squacco heron, brown-necked parrot, fairy warbler, finfoot, striated heron, swallow-tailed bee eater, white-throated bee eater and African finfoot.
Mammals include antelopes, clawless otters, warthogs, hippoptamus, red colobus monkey, guinea baboon, spotted hyenas, green vervet monkey, and the endangered west African manatee.
There is also a variety of reptiles such as west African crocodile, dwarf crocodile, Nile monitor lizard, green sea turtle and various snakes such as the burrowing sand boa.
The overnight stay is at Baobolong lodge in Georgetown in a peaceful and scenic setting on the waterfront close to the jetty. Relaxed and friendly this is rural Gambia so do not expect luxury but the ensuite rooms are cosy and comfortable with mosquito nets and showers. Self-service dinners and late breakfasts are available
Sitah Joyeh Island (Baobab island)
This beautiful island in a wonderful setting in the river Gambia was for over 200 years occupied by the Bainunka tribe who were very good potters, palm wine tappers, oyster collectors and farmers. From here you have access to Farasutu, Bonto and Mandinaba woods (see local visits page).
An excellent site for birding you may see blue-breasted kingfisher, woodland kingfisher, broad-billed roller, green wood hopoe, violet turaco, rose-ringed parakeet, Senegal parrot, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, bearded barbet, grey woodpecker, white-backed night heron, northern crombec, northern puffback, northern black flycatcher, black-necked weaver and a variety of others.
Rooms here have a private bathroom and a patio. Some have river views. There is a restaurant on site called Na Domoro which means "come and eat". Here both Gambian and European dishes are served using locally produced vegetables and meat and fresh fish.
Bansang quarry
This is the place to see a breeding colony of red-throated bees eaters which are under protection. There is a pool where you may see exclamatory paradise wydah, cinnamon-breasted bunting, western little sparrowhawk, bush petronia, white-backed vulture, ortolan buntimg, black-rumped waxbill, yellow-fronted canary and cut throat finch amongst others. This is a less-visited site.
Kaur wetlands
This small swamp on the north bank of the river Gambia around 30km east of Farafenni retains water during the dry season and is an excellent place to see Egyptian plover. Other species to be seen include: white-crowned plover, carmine bee-eater, greater painted snipe, yellow-crowned bishop, purple swamphen, knob-billed duck, collared pratincole, black-crowned crane, Kilitz's plover, quail finch, ruff and white-faced whistling duck. This is a great stopping point on our way to Georgetown and Baobolong lodge.
Bintang Bolong
This an interesting walk from Abca's Creek Lodge our overnight accommodation. The lodge is surrounded by woodland where another walk can be taken and boatrides can be taken along the creek.
Species to look for include: golden-tailed woodpecker, cardinal woodpecker, little gey woodpecker, sunlark, citrine wagtail, garden warbler, subalpine warbler and Levaillant's cuckoo but many of the more unusual birds may be seen here.
Built in 2014 Abca's, at the edge of the mangrove-covered creek, offers cottages spread throughout the garden each with tiled floor, private bathroom with toilet and shower and garden and river views. The rooms are cleaned daily. You can swim in the creek, relax in the garden or enjoy one of the activities. There is a restaurant offering an a la carte menu and western food such as paninis is available. As you eat you can watch the giant fruit bats overhead.
These visits as with the local visits can be combined. For more information, prices or to book please use the contact page.
Prices include transport and accommodation. Meals and optional activities are not included.