Birdwatching - Chris Packham

Following last year's popular trip, once again you can join TV presenter and keen birdwatcher Chris Packham for three days birdwatching in The Gambia with the additional option of spending time upriver at Chimpanzee Island.

An Introduction From Chris Packham

Is it nine or ten times I've been to The Gambia? I've lost count but lost no enthusiasm for this fabulous country and the amazing birdwatching opportunities it offers. In fact, unlike so many places that one returns to, The Gambia actually seems to get better and better.

So why is it so good?  Short flights, no time difference, great hotels, fabulous food, friendly people, no crime, perfect climate, good value, and more birds than you could shake a stick at on your doorstep. Not that we shake sticks at birds of course! Many of the hotels have 'garden lists' that would make you envious and many others are just a short walk from a fantastic diversity of species, many of which will be entirely new to you if you have not 'done Africa' bird-wise. And they are tame 'ish', so it's an amazing place to perfect your photographic skills.

Megan, my little girl who likes her wildlife (what did you expect?), loves it here too. You see it's not 'off the beaten track'; you can combine lots of fun with the fauna and keep everyone happy. Perfect for families who want a little more wildlife than lives around the pool! Lastly I'm starting a club. Nothing exclusive - please join. It's called the 'Kotu 100 Club' and you get instant lifelong membership when you've seen a hundred different bird species from the Kotu stream bridge. And you get to be president if you can do it in a day! Not easy but not impossible and on my next trip I'm going to 'dawn till dusk' it on the bridge and I bet fifty species is easy, seventy fine. a hundred? I can't wait. See you there.

Chris Packham

Itinerary Information

The birdwatching trip will run from 13th February 2009.  These tours can be part of a longer holiday at any of the hotels in Kotu.

You will visit various habitats for the best chance of seeing the widest range of birds, including trips to Abuko nature reserve, walking tours of Kotu stream and the local area and a catamaran trip, enabling you to see water birds and the added bonus of an occasional dolphin.

At Chimp Island you will see an array of birdlife as well as seeing chimps in their natural habitat, alongside other wildlife. With a maximum of just 12 people on the bird trip and 8 people on the chimpanzee add-on, there will be plenty of opportunity to learn from Chris' extensive knowledge but it is essential to book early.