Walk on the wild side in The Gambia
Teeming with wildlife and unspoilt wilderness, The Gambia is a nature-lover’s playground. Take a walk on the wild side with an unforgettable back-to-nature experience.
The wildlife experiences in The Gambia are limitless, making it the perfect holiday destination for those looking to reconnect with the natural world: many hotel gardens host a plethora of wildlife so you don’t have to go far to enjoy it.
Birdwatching Tours
Home to over 540 species of bird, The Gambia is widely recognised as one of the best birdwatching destinations in the whole of Africa. From half-day birdwatching tours to full-day excursions, there’s plenty of options to add to your back-to-nature holiday. Private half or full-day birding trips can be arranged with Malick Suso, who Chris Packham described as one of the very best birdwatching guides in The Gambia.
One of The Gambia Experience’s bestselling tours is the ‘Taste of African Birdlife’ which is designed with the keen amateur in mind. Over two fantastic days, you will get to explore several habitats that are home to many different species of bird, plus spot the three different types of monkey which take residency at the Abuko Nature Reserve. Available from most coastal hotels and complete with transport, lunches and a boat trip to Bijol Island, this two-day exclusive tour will certainly give you a true flavour of West African birdlife.
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
The wildlife in The Gambia doesn’t get much more exciting than crocodiles! The Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau is one of the country’s most famous tourist hotspots, which is not surprising considering the pool is home to over 100 crocodiles. Pay a visit to the museum to find out why the area became sanctified, and look out for the famous Charlie, who measures a staggering two metres long! A visit here is included on The Gambia Experience’s popular Six-in-One excursion.
Wake up with the birds
It’s time to grab your binoculars as this morning excursion is a must for all birdwatching enthusiasts, but also a wonderful morning for non-birdwatchers. Begin the day at dawn with a drive to the iconic Lamin Lodge, before climbing aboard a traditional pirogue (local dug out paddle canoe) for a cruise down the river. As the sun rises, you will be enthralled with a variety of birds, before returning back to the lodge for a much-needed breakfast. You’ll then stroll along the edge of the rice fields or forest towards Lamin Village to further sample the delights of this Gambian aviary and general wildlife, such as monkeys. A must-do if you don’t mind an early start!
Alternatively, why not explore the mangrove-lined creeks at Tanji aboard a kayak or canoe for an exciting back-to-nature experience with a difference?
Senegal Wildlife – Fathala
Hop across the border to Senegal and enjoy a guided game drive through the wilderness of the Fathala Wildlife Reserve, which is also part of a breeding programme for the endangered Lord Derby Eland antelope. Covering 2,000 hectares of vegetation, which many species have now made their home, you will be driven in the tracks of some of Africa’s much-loved wildlife to see an abundance of animals in their natural habitat.
In just a day it is possible to get up close with giraffe, rhino, zebra, antelope, python and buffalo to mention a few, how lucky will you be? You’ll have a great chance to take a memory of Africa home – don’t go without your camera, this may be your chance to take some amazing pictures!
For more information about any of the experiences above, or even to start planning your holiday to The Gambia, contact the experts on 01489 866939 visit gambia.co.uk/excursions
