January 4^th – Arrival to Banjul International Airport, transfer to our first lodge, which we will have to ourselves, it has two photography hides.   Belgambia Lodge

January 5^th and 6^th – Two full days photographing at or near the lodge.  The photo hides are well set up.  Some of the interesting birds that regularly come to the hides include Violet Turaco, Long-tailed Starling, Shikra, Black-rumped Waxbill, Blue-breasted and African Pygmy Kingfishers, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-bellied Roller, Fine-spotted Woodpecker and many more. Walks nearby add a lot of interesting birds such as Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Beautiful, Variable and Copper Sunbirds and a variety of waterbirds. 

January 7^th – Morning photography at the hides followed by check out and drive to the drier environment of Tendaba.  Afternoon photography session at Tendaba Reserve.  This is open country, one of the highlights of the area is the Black-headed Lapwing, other species typical of drier climates here are Bateleur, White Helmetshrike, Namaqua Dove and others.  Tendaba Camp

January 8^th – This morning, we will have a boat trip on the river with many water birds including African Darters, Goliath and Purple Herons, Woolly-necked and Yellow-billed Storks, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers as well as many other species.  Then in the afternoon we will be in the Tendaba photography hide.   This is a good hide for raptors with several possible species, as well as colorful species like Vieillot’s Barbet, Yellow-crowned Gonolek and Greater Blue-eared Starling.  Tendaba Camp

January 9^th – Morning photography at Tendaba followed by transfer to the eastern part of Gambia.  Here we should find some great species such as Egyptian Plover, Abyssinian Roller, Collared Pratincole and Pin-tailed Whydah.  We are in the air-conditioned rooms at Kairoh Gardens Lodge. 

January 10^th and 11^th – These will be two very exciting days.  We will visit a quarry where there is a large colony of Red-throated Bee-eaters, this stunning bird will provide a lot of photo opportunities.  We will also have a boat trip to visit an island where we will get close up photo opportunities with Chimpanzees (from the boat), they regularly come down to the water at this location.  It’s also a good trip for hippos, African Fish Eagles, waterbirds and crocodiles.  Kairoh Gardens Lodge

January 12^th – This morning, we will visit another location which is good for Egyptian Plover and other shorebirds then we transfer to our next lodge back towards the western part of Gambia, Jamora Lodge.  This afternoon we will visit some wetlands which are good for flamingos and storks.  Jamora Lodge

January 13^th – In the morning, we will photograph in the forest, this is a location with several day roosts of owls and nightjars, including Greyish Eagle Owl, African Wood Owl, Northern White-faced Owl and Long-tailed Nightjar.  The Guinea Turaco is possible here.  We will also photograph in a hide which attracts Stone Partridge, Splendid and Western Violet-backed Sunbirds, Little Greenbul and many other species.  Jamora Lodge

January 14^th – This morning, we will do some waterbird photography with likely species including Black Heron, Giant and Pied Kingfishers, Senegal Thick-Knee and more.  Then we will check out and head to our next lodge on the coast, Senegambia Beach Hotel.  There are often large groups of both Hooded Vultures and Red Colobus Monkeys on the grounds.  Senegambia Beach Hotel

January 15^th – Today we will visit a nearby bird photography hide which is especially good for smaller birds such as waxbills and sunbirds.  Some of the interesting birds which are regularly photographed here include Four-banded Sandgrouse, Purple Starling, Lavender and Orange-cheeked Waxbills, Black-winged Red Bishop, Black-faced Firefinch and Beautiful Sunbird.  We will also do some photography on the extensive grounds of the lodge, some of the nice birds regularly photographed there include Bearded Barbet and Yellow-crowned Gonolek.

January 16^th – Transfer to the airport (about one hour) for your return trip home.  If you would like to stay a few more days at this beach resort with birds, we can help arrange that for you.  Also, we have rooms reserved at the first lodge if anyone wants to arrive on January 3^rd and get started with their photography early.