• Our winter boat / vehicle schedule (November to April), enables you to spend some time at the coast before heading up-river by combination of road and river transport. N.B. You will not be able to organise travel arrangements like these - either independently or via another company. Places on boats and vehicles are strictly limited, so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Our summer boat / vehicle schedule (May to October) is a reduced version of the above, but still enables you to discover the beautiful freshwater areas of the River Gambia National Park and Bird Safari Camp.

	The Solar Queen is our brand new, eco-friendly solar-powered boat - the first in Africa - which was launched in January 2011. She'll take you, almost silently, through the mangrove habitat along the lower end of the river between Bintang and Farafenni (via Tendaba). Tendaba Camp is opposite the BaoBolong Wetland reserve - a must for the keen birdwatcher.
	The Lady Hippo is based up-country at Bird Safari Camp - our own eco-lodge 200 miles inland. It is here that you can explore the freshwater habitat of the Gambia River National Park and hopefully see hippos, monkeys, baboons and chimps as well as an occasional West African crocodile. Not to mention tiger fish!

Day 1 (Tuesday)
Pick up from the airport and transfer to your coastal accommodation.
Overnight: Choice of coastal accommodation

Days 2 - 4 (Wednesday - Friday)
3 days at the coast to use as you choose – see your free copy of the Bradt guide book for things to do… Join one of our birdwatching day trips to Abuko Nature Reserve, Brufut Woods, Bijilo Forest Park, Marrakissa etc. or book a fishing trip and try your luck fishing for Barracuda and Tarpon on the Atlantic Ocean.
Overnight: Choice of coastal accommodation

Day 5 (Saturday)
Depart from your coastal accommodation at approx 8am and follow the south bank road to Bintang (2 hours). Join the Safari Queen through the creek and onto the main river to Tendaba Camp. Lunch is provided on board the 3 hour trip during which you may see osprey and bottlenose dolphins fishing in the open saltwater. In the afternoon, go birdwatching near the camp or relax by the pool before a dinner buffet at 8pm.
Overnight: Tendaba Camp (FB), Kwinella

Day 6 (Sunday)
In the morning, take a small boat to discover the outstanding birdlife in the creeks opposite (BaoBolong Wetland Reserve). Rejoin the Safari Queen at 10.30am and head further inland to Farafenni. Travel along the newly tarmacked north bank road to Kuntaur (via Kau-ur and Panchang Wetlands) and reach our traditional Gambian pirogue, the Lady Hippo, in time for a 3pm departure. A cooked lunch is served onboard as we sail through the fresh-water habitat of the River Gambia National Park. On our way we will pass the Baboon Islands, home of the longest running chimpanzee rehabilitation project in Africa. The islands are highly protected areas and whilst you may not set foot on them, there's a very good chance you'll see some chimps from the boat.

On this relaxing 4 hour cruise you are likely to see hippos, Dog-faced baboons, Red Colobus and Green Vervet monkeys and maybe the occasional West African or Slender-snouted crocodile. Birds may include Hadada Ibis, Rose-ringed Parrakeet, Grey-headed Kingfishers and African Fish Eagle. Arrive at Bird Safari Camp around dusk, a wonderfully peaceful location on MacCarthy Island. Many owls can be heard and spotted here – from the largest Verreaux’s Eagle Owl to the smallest Pearl Spotted Owlet.
Overnight: Bird Safari Camp (FB), MacCarthy Island

Day 7 (Monday)
Option of heading further inland to the small trading town of Basse where you can have lunch overlooking the river. Birdwatchers will be keen to spot Carmine bee-eaters and Egyptian Plover (June - Feb) and visit the breeding colony of Red-throated Bee-Eaters at Bansang quarry. In the evening, join in the drums & dance by the camp fire.

Other (optional) activities included as part of your Discover the River trip:
- Birds and breakfast: at the crack of dawn, go for a guided bird walk in the wooded area behind the camp
- Walk, cycle or take a boat into Georgetown and learn about its colonial past.
- See the palm wine tappers at work and have a taste!
- Fish from the jetty (no charge) or hire our 7m skiff (suggested max 2-3 anglers) and try to hook a Tiger Fish.
- Paddle across to the south bank and visit a typical rural village; return via donkey & cart.
- Sit under a shady tree with some freshly brewed green tea and learn to play the Djembe
- Take the small boat into Georgetown and buy some ingredients at the market. Return to the camp and cook your own typical Gambian lunch in the open air.
- Relax by the pool & let the birds come to you
Overnight: Bird Safari Camp (FB), MacCarthy Island

Day 13 (Sunday)
Depart Bird Safari Camp by road at approx 9am and visit the ancient stone circles in nearby Wasu. Drive to Farafenni (approx 2 hours) and rejoin the Safari Queen to Bintang (6 hours - packed lunch onboard). Here you will meet up with the vehicle and drive to your coastal accommodation in time for dinner.
Overnight: Choice of coastal accommodation

Day 14 (Monday)
1 day at the coast to use as you choose – see your free copy of the Bradt guide book for things to do… Join one of our birdwatching day trips to Abuko Nature Reserve, Brufut Woods, Bijilo Forest Park, Marrakissa etc. or book a fishing trip and try your luck fishing for Barracuda or Tarpon on the Atlantic Ocean.
Overnight: Choice of coastal accommodation

Day 15 (Tuesday)
Return to the airport for your flight home.

Price per person: £899
Typical group sizes: 4-12 people
N.B. Exact itinerary may vary according to local conditions and/or individual clients' wishes.

Click here for alternative itineraries (of various lengths)

Includes:
• Airport / hotel transfers
• Vehicle transport
• Expert local guide with excellent knowledge of birds and other wildlife
• 14 nights accommodation (B&B at the coast; full board up-river)
• Boat trips onboard the "Safari Queen"
• Tendaba creek boat trip
• Kuntaur - Bird Safari Camp boat trip onboard the "Lady Hippo"
• Optional trips at Bird Safari Camp: cooking trip, drumming lessons, history trip, village visit & Bansang/Basse day trip
• Entry to National Parks
• Free copy of Bradt guide book per party (value £13.99)