Following last year's popular trip, once again you can join TV presenter and keen birdwatcher Chris Packham for three days of birdwatching and photography in The Gambia with the option of spending an additional three days with him at Mandina Lodges in Makasutu Forest.
An Introduction From Chris Packham
The Gambia has to be unrivalled in the traveller’s £ per bird category of holiday. With 170 species regularly seen in three leisurely days birding on the coast alone, and four hundred more waiting to be discovered further afi eld, this is ornithological nirvana. And many of the species are pretty exotic too; Rollers, Kingfi shers and Bee eaters are spangled spectacles whilst the dynamic array of raptors are truly impressive. Many others are simply tamer and more easily approached than in the UK so keen photographers always return home with a few ‘trophies’!
It’s only a few hours away, inexpensive, safe and very friendly. The food is fab, the sun shines and there is a great range of hotels, although I find myself returning year after year to the small, quiet and simply superb Bakotu Hotel, which is both comfortable and perfectly placed for birding. In recent years I have also found the wildlife haven that is Makasutu Forest to be an irresistible draw.
I’ve been to The Gambia every year for the last twenty and I can’t wait to get back!
Chris Packham, BBC Presenter
Also see our guest blog post from Chris on The Gambia Blog a diary of day one and day two of the 2010 tour, also on the blog.
Download a PDF checklist of all the bird species in The Gambia (569 species!)
