I'm not long back from a 3 week solo trip to The Gambia in January 2014. Last there in November 1996, when only Banjul had one tarmaced road! At 62, I'm now a very experienced wildlife traveller and often enjoy the considerable benefits of travelling solo e.g. meeting more local people, having more time to take pics, varying things as I wish. On this trip, I kept meeting up with other birders and guides that were visiting the same locations, but in a different order e.g. a great night in Boabolong sharing a few Julbrew with a couple of dutch birders, that I'd met in Tendaba.
I booked flight only, Gatwick-Banjul, with Thomas Cook ca. £350.
I already had a contact in The Gambia, the wonderful Yaya Barry of Kingbirders. My sister had used him a few times and I took him birding in mid-Wales in August, 2012, after he'd been to the Birdfair. We discussed and agreed an outline itinerary by email. All arrangements in the Gambia were then made by Yaya i.e. airport transfers accommodation, food, water, most transport, plus a case of Julbrew! Contact Yaya: http://www.geopictures.net/kingbirders/ Mobile: +0220 981 1118
The money transfer was smoothly dealt with by Approve Services: http://www.approveservices.co.uk/
Week 1 - The coast.
Gambia Bird Lodge in Tanji Village (7n): http://www.gambiabirdlodge.com/ managed by Yaya, who lives on site. Outstanding, situated in the heart of an african village. Sand streets, mud-brick houses, chickens and very poor, but delightfully friendly people.
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco-tourism Camp (1n): Contact: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanji-Bird-Reserve-Eco-Tourism-Camp/578564808820878 [email protected]
On the north-western edge of the reserve, so just walk out and watch the Stone Partridge scurry away, or, as I did, photograph an African Wild Cat! Opened in Nov 2013, so everything still works! Run by a Gambian ex-tour rep, Haddy, so she knows what tourists expect. Great place to stay, or go to for lunch! Contact: [email protected]
Spent 4 long mornings i.e. Kartong, Mandinaba & Farasuto, Lamin Bolong boat trip and fields, Tujereng Woods, with the excellent Yaya and his 4X4. Otherwise self-guided e.g. Tanji, Brufut Woods & Abuko. Some drop-offs &/or pick-ups provided by Yaya, otherwise I used bush taxis.
Week 2 - Up River. Long drives mainly on tarmac roads!
Yaya arranged for his young cousin, Abdoulie Barry (30 year old ex-footballer nickname: Sedorf) with his almost new 4X4, to accompany me for the week. Abdoulie knows all the birding hotspots, has very good eyes, his own bins and very good birding knowledge, plus he's great company. We had great fun shopping for lunch in small village markets up country. Very good for day trips too! Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: +220 9983413
Tedaba (2n). A bit tatty, but very much better than in 1996! The lovely staff, wildlife, location and good food made up for that. The mangrove boat trip was fabulous! Shining-blue Kingfisher and the usual Finfoot or two.
Boabolong Camp in Jajanbereh/Georgetown (4n). Needs a thoroughly good clean, but nice people! River trip was excellent, including hippos and another Finfoot or 2. Egyptian Plover at Basse ferry.
Tendaba (1n). Was welcomed back like a long-lost friend. Caught up with Abyssinian Ground Hornbill!
Week 3 - Back to the coast Brikama to Marakissa road is currently being prepared for tarmacing.
Marakissa River Camp (3n): http://www.marakissarivercamp.nl/. Clean, basic, great food and location, rooms now have electric light. Riverside garden alive with birds e.g. all 3 of The Gambia's honeyguides. I also fell in love with Adama, who runs the place!
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco Camp (3n) Self-guided. Some drop offs and pick ups by Abdoulie e.g. Abuko's new photohide again (100 Delasis for the day), with Pygmy Kingfisher 2m away!
Total cost of my 3 weeks was about £2,300 including beer, tips, airport parking etc.
I gave up on keeping a bird list after about 5 days, but by the end I reckon I'd seen over 260 species.
I had a great time, saw lots of wildlife, met many wonderful people and had 6+ marriage proposals!
My pics are starting to appear here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoppy1951/
PM me if you want to know more.
I booked flight only, Gatwick-Banjul, with Thomas Cook ca. £350.
I already had a contact in The Gambia, the wonderful Yaya Barry of Kingbirders. My sister had used him a few times and I took him birding in mid-Wales in August, 2012, after he'd been to the Birdfair. We discussed and agreed an outline itinerary by email. All arrangements in the Gambia were then made by Yaya i.e. airport transfers accommodation, food, water, most transport, plus a case of Julbrew! Contact Yaya: http://www.geopictures.net/kingbirders/ Mobile: +0220 981 1118
The money transfer was smoothly dealt with by Approve Services: http://www.approveservices.co.uk/
Week 1 - The coast.
Gambia Bird Lodge in Tanji Village (7n): http://www.gambiabirdlodge.com/ managed by Yaya, who lives on site. Outstanding, situated in the heart of an african village. Sand streets, mud-brick houses, chickens and very poor, but delightfully friendly people.
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco-tourism Camp (1n): Contact: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanji-Bird-Reserve-Eco-Tourism-Camp/578564808820878 [email protected]
On the north-western edge of the reserve, so just walk out and watch the Stone Partridge scurry away, or, as I did, photograph an African Wild Cat! Opened in Nov 2013, so everything still works! Run by a Gambian ex-tour rep, Haddy, so she knows what tourists expect. Great place to stay, or go to for lunch! Contact: [email protected]
Spent 4 long mornings i.e. Kartong, Mandinaba & Farasuto, Lamin Bolong boat trip and fields, Tujereng Woods, with the excellent Yaya and his 4X4. Otherwise self-guided e.g. Tanji, Brufut Woods & Abuko. Some drop-offs &/or pick-ups provided by Yaya, otherwise I used bush taxis.
Week 2 - Up River. Long drives mainly on tarmac roads!
Yaya arranged for his young cousin, Abdoulie Barry (30 year old ex-footballer nickname: Sedorf) with his almost new 4X4, to accompany me for the week. Abdoulie knows all the birding hotspots, has very good eyes, his own bins and very good birding knowledge, plus he's great company. We had great fun shopping for lunch in small village markets up country. Very good for day trips too! Contact: [email protected] or Mobile: +220 9983413
Tedaba (2n). A bit tatty, but very much better than in 1996! The lovely staff, wildlife, location and good food made up for that. The mangrove boat trip was fabulous! Shining-blue Kingfisher and the usual Finfoot or two.
Boabolong Camp in Jajanbereh/Georgetown (4n). Needs a thoroughly good clean, but nice people! River trip was excellent, including hippos and another Finfoot or 2. Egyptian Plover at Basse ferry.
Tendaba (1n). Was welcomed back like a long-lost friend. Caught up with Abyssinian Ground Hornbill!
Week 3 - Back to the coast Brikama to Marakissa road is currently being prepared for tarmacing.
Marakissa River Camp (3n): http://www.marakissarivercamp.nl/. Clean, basic, great food and location, rooms now have electric light. Riverside garden alive with birds e.g. all 3 of The Gambia's honeyguides. I also fell in love with Adama, who runs the place!
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco Camp (3n) Self-guided. Some drop offs and pick ups by Abdoulie e.g. Abuko's new photohide again (100 Delasis for the day), with Pygmy Kingfisher 2m away!
Total cost of my 3 weeks was about £2,300 including beer, tips, airport parking etc.
I gave up on keeping a bird list after about 5 days, but by the end I reckon I'd seen over 260 species.
I had a great time, saw lots of wildlife, met many wonderful people and had 6+ marriage proposals!
My pics are starting to appear here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoppy1951/
PM me if you want to know more.
