15-Day Bird Photography Tour Gambia & Senegal full board.
Tour 15
Bird Photography Tour Gambia & Senegal
15 Days /14 Nights
2500 euros per person, only for 2 persons or more.
During this tour we stay 10 days in Senegal and 5 days in Gambia.
This unique 15-day bird-photography journey combines the very best of Gambia and Senegal two neighbouring countries bursting with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and exceptional bird diversity. During this fully inclusive adventure, you’ll spend 5 days in Gambia and 10 days in Senegal, exploring a wide variety of habitats and capturing an unforgettable range of bird species. The journey begins in peaceful Mandinari, where you’ll photograph colourful species from a well-equipped photo hide surrounded by mangroves and riverine woodland. From there, you’ll cross into Senegal and enter the magnificent Saloum Delta, a breathtaking mosaic of creeks, mangroves, and sandbanks. Here, an exclusive boat trip focuses on the rare and elusive White-crested Tiger Heron, followed by guided forest walks where countless woodland birds can be found. Travelling further north, you’ll discover the open landscapes around Kaolack, the vast wetlands of Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, and the savannas and riverbanks near Richard Toll and Podor, home to the mysterious Golden Nightjar and Horo Swallow. The journey continues to Saint-Louis and Touba, where you’ll have the chance to photograph the elusive Quail Plover, a true highlight for bird photographers. After ten rewarding days in Senegal, you return to Gambia to enjoy the tranquillity of Morgan Kunda Lodge and once more the natural beauty of Mandinari River Lodge. The tour concludes with relaxed photography at the Lamin Rice Fields and Kotu Bridge, two of Gambia’s most iconic birding locations. This journey is a true dream for nature lovers and bird photographers who wish to experience the real West Africa small-scale, authentic, and guided by local expertise, with a strong focus on nature, peace, and unforgettable photographic moments.
The itinerary for this tour
Day 1 – Arrival at Banjul Airport – Transfer to Mandinari River Lodge
Arrival at Banjul International Airport. Meet & greet with your guide and driver. Transfer to Mandinari River Lodge. After check-in, relax from your journey or enjoy a short walk around the lodge grounds.
Evening: dinner and briefing about the coming days.
Day 2 – Photo Hide Mandinari
A full day dedicated to bird photography from the photo hide at Mandinari River Lodge, located on the edge of mangroves and forest (as featured on the website).
Optional afternoon or evening photo session along the river or in the nearby wetlands.
Day 3 – Crossing to Senegal – Drive to Delta Saloum
After breakfast, cross the border into Senegal and continue to the Saloum Delta region. Transfer to your lodge or camp near the delta.
In the afternoon, enjoy a short exploration of the area – a mangrove boat ride or shorebird photography on the tidal flats.
Day 4 – Boat Trip in the Creek & Forest Walk
Morning: boat trip through the creeks of the Saloum Delta, specially focused on photographing the White-crested Tiger Heron, a rare and highly sought-after species found in the mangroves.
Afternoon: guided walk through the nearby forest around the camp, searching for woodland birds and other photo opportunities.
Day 5 – Drive to Kaolack – Focus on Swallow-tailed Kite
Transfer to Kaolack with stops along the way. The highlight today is photographing the Swallow-tailed Kite (or Black-winged Kite, depending on location).
Late-afternoon photo opportunities near Kaolack. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6 – To Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary – Roadbirding en route
Early departure from Kaolack to Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, one of West Africa’s best birding sites. Roadbirding along the way with multiple stops for raptors, rollers, and waterbirds.
Arrival at camp, check-in, and optional evening photo session.
Day 7 – Boat Safari & Bird Photography in Djoudj National Park
Full day in Djoudj. Morning boat safari through the park – photographing pelicans, herons, cormorants, spoonbills, and more.
Afternoon at leisure or additional photo session in the park. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Day 8 – Drive to Richard Toll – Roadbirding Stops
After breakfast, drive to Richard Toll with several birding stops along the route: open savanna, farmlands, and wetlands near the Senegal River.
Arrival and overnight near Richard Toll.
Day 9 – From Richard Toll to Podor – Golden Nightjar & Swallow Species
Morning departure for Podor, with late-afternoon focus on photographing the Golden Nightjar and Horo Swallow (species name to be confirmed).
Evening session for nightjar photography. Overnight in the camp at Podor.
Day 10 – Podor to Saint-Louis – Roadbirding along the Way
Drive to Saint-Louis with several birding stops on the way: wetlands, farmland, and riverbanks.
Arrival in Saint-Louis, a charming coastal city at the mouth of the Senegal River. Optional evening birding or sunset photography.
Day 11 – Saint-Louis to Touba – Target Species: Quail Plover
After breakfast, drive to Touba with the main goal of finding and photographing the Quail Plover (an elusive West African specialty).
Photo session in the right habitat before continuing to Touba for the night.
Day 12 – Touba to Kaolack – Birding Hotspots en route
Departure from Touba to Kaolack, visiting various birding hotspots along the way: open fields, acacia scrub, and seasonal wetlands.
Evening arrival and overnight in Kaolack.
Day 13 – Return to Gambia – Border Crossing at Farafenni – Morgan Kunda Lodge
Early start from Kaolack to the Gambian border at Farafenni.
Multiple road stops for birding and photography. Continue to Morgan Kunda Lodge, a well-known base for bird photographers.
Evening at leisure or short walk around the lodge.
Day 14 – From Morgan Kunda to Mandinari River Lodge – Birding Stops
Drive from Morgan Kunda Lodge back to Mandinari River Lodge with several birding and photography stops at known hotspots: rice fields, wetlands, and woodland areas.
Late-afternoon photo session at the lodge or from the hide.
Day 15 – Depending on Flight Schedule – Visit Lamin Rice Fields & Kotu Bridge
Depending on your departure time, enjoy a final morning of bird photography at Lamin Rice Fields and Kotu Bridge, two of Gambia’s most popular birding sites.
Transfer to Banjul International Airport for your departure flight.