Chris Packham is leading a small group of privileged birdwatchers on a tour of The Gambia and Senegal with specialist tour operator The Gambia Experience and there are still limited spaces available.
For the third consecutive year, TV presenter and photographer Chris Packham will spend a week in the coastal resorts of The Gambia and Senegal as well as an upriver camp, Badi Mayo ( “Chimpanzee Island” ), escorting a group of holidaymakers. During the trip Chris will be using his extensive knowledge of the area and its wildlife, and with a maximum of just twelve participants, there will be plenty of opportunity to get to know the TV presenter and share in his expertise.
Chris has travelled to The Gambia on numerous occasions and says of the country: “It’s a haven for birding, it’s so full of accessible sites and species and it still retains its charm and allure for me after many visits.”
The bird watching tour will run between 13th and 16th February 2009 and costs £350 which can be added to the cost of a holiday at any hotel in the Kotu region. The tour includes welcome drinks with Chris, a trip to the Abuko Nature Reserve, a guided walk of Kotu Stream, and a 2 day birding trip on board a catamaran in the Sine Saloum Delta, Senegal. A 7-night package including flights and bed and breakfast hotel accommodation starts from £688* per person staying at 2+ grade Bakotu Hotel, Chris’ preferred choice. *Departing from Gatwick on Tuesday 10th February.
A two-night extension at a camp five hours upriver at Chimpanzee Island is available between 17th & 19th February, an area described by Chris as “breathtakingly beautiful”. The Chimpanzee Island tour costs £495 per person on top of a flight and coastal hotel package; this includes transport upriver, 2 nights’ twin tented accommodation, full board and a boat trip to view the chimps. A maximum of eight can be accommodated on this part of the trip, providing even greater opportunity to learn from Chris’ lifelong passion for wildlife.
The Gambia Experience offers flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and East Midlands on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the winter. A Tuesday flight from Glasgow is also available. For more information visit www.gambia.co.uk or telephone 0845 330 2087 to order a copy of the 2008/09 brochure featuring the widest range of holidays to The Gambia.
