Return to Hidden Gambia home page

CONTENTS
Introduction video
Gambia Overview
Discover the River
Accommodation
Birdwatching
Fishing
Chimpanzees
Photo gallery
Plan your holiday
Login to web site
Holiday reviews
Contact us!

Click here for expert advice

Previous page Photos of The Gambia Next page

Package holidays to The Gambia are typically based at a coastal beach hotel only and therefore miss out on much of the wildlife that is found up-country. The freshwater parts of the Gambia river are especially interesting, but you won't reach here on a 'day trip' away from the coast! Far better to split your time between the coast and up-country more equally, travel by boat and see some of the river wildlife en-route.

Here are some pictures that give an impression of the birds, wildlife and river landscapes you are likely to see when you join us on one of our Discover the River trips to The Gambia.
N.B. Please note that some of these photos are copyrighted - please ask for our permission if you wish to use any of these pictures.
Abyssinian Roller Giant Kingfisher Northern Carmine Bee-Eater Egyptian Plover (Crocodile bird) Woodland Kingfisher
Northern Red Bishop Termite Hill Callithrix monkey
Palm tree river island, near Bird Safari Camp Village kids near Bird Safari Camp
Birdwatching at Bird Safari Camp Palm tree river island, Gambia River National Park
Cruise the Gambia river River cruises onboard the Lady Hippo Hippos in the Gambia river Watch the wildlife as you cruise up-river The Safari Queen
The relaxed pace of life, tropical climate, easy accessibility (only 6 hours flight from Europe - no jet lag) and some of the friendliest people on earth make The Gambia an ideal holiday destination. Cruise up the Gambia River onboard the Safari Queen and Lady Hippo and see chimpanzees, monkeys, hippos and the rich variety of colourful birdlife.
Little Bee-Eaters Malachite Kingfisher Verreaux's Eagle Owl (a.k.a Milky Eagle Owl) Palm-nut Vulture Shikra
Chimpanzee picture Baby chimpanzee West African river landscape, near Bird Safari Camp Chimpanzee photo Chimpanzee safari
Fishing on the Gambia river Tiger fishing in The Gambia A tiddler! African tiger fish Tiger fish mouth
Stay at a peaceful riverside lodge; try your luck at fishing, go birdwatching or simply relax in the warm tropical climate well away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
River tent Safari tent view from inside River safari tent Bird Safari Camp tents African mud hut (with some creature comforts!)
Safari tent by boat River fishing Fishing the river African music Tiger fish - 3 lb off the world record!
River sunset Hibiscus by BSC pool Bird Safari Camp swimming pool Refreshing swim at Bird Safari Camp Bird Safari Camp restaurant
At Bird Safari Camp (300km inland) the river is fresh water and the vegetation and wildlife is very different to that at the coast. There are plenty of opportunities for meeting the locals: learn to play the Djembe; visit a typical rural village and see how life here has remained unchanged by the passing of time; go shopping in the local market and try your hand at cooking a traditional Gambian meal.
Bird Safari Camp buffet table Cool verandah at Bird Safari Camp Play the Djembe! Preparing dinner Dug out canoe
Fibreglass boat River sunset Boats at Kudang, The Gambia Fibreglass boat at Tendaba Fibreglass boat (6 people max)
Explore the river Boat coming from Georgetown Learn to play the drums with Freddie & Musa Go shopping at the market Sleepy Georgetown high street
At Tendaba Camp (155km inland) the river is still partially saline and it is here that you will find some of the tallest mangroves in West Africa. The Baobolong Wetland Reserve is of particular interest to birdwatchers although the outstanding wealth of birdlife here will enthrall anyone with an interest in nature.
Baobab tree Baobolong Wetland Reserve (opposite Tendaba Camp) Tendaba Camp accommodation Tendaba Camp view from restaurant Swimming pool at Tendaba
The fearsome nightwatchman at Bird Safari Camp! Planting trees at Bird Safari Camp Sifting through the locally grown rice Marrakissa (near the coast) River trees
Tendaba Camp restaurant Gambia Beach Bird Safari Camp family Shopping and cooking trip River at Marrakissa
The Gambia's coastal area also has lots to offer: Visit the nature reserve at Abuko; discover some of The Gambia's unspoilt beaches in the south of the country; visit Tanji Village Museum; see the sacred crocodile pool at Kachikally or spend a relaxing day at Makasutu Culture Forest. As for coastal accommodation, we prefer to use small and friendly hotels / lodges- Safari Garden Hotel in Fajara; Paradise Inn Lodge, near Tanji or Footseps Ecolodge in the south of The Gambia.
Paradise Inn Lodge, The Gambia Paradise Inn Lodge hammock Paradise Inn Lodge hut Safari Garden Hotel bar Safari Garden Hotel entrance
Tanji Village Museum weaver Fish smoking at Tanji Djembe lessons at Safari Garden Batik making Dancing at Makasutu
Safari Garden Hotel pool Turtle shells at Tanji Village Museum Musical intruments at Tanji Village Museum Tanji beach Marrakissa
For more information on visiting The Gambia, please see our Plan your holiday section or Contact us. We hope you enjoyed these Gambia photos!






Bird Safari Camp Tendaba Camp Paradise Inn Lodge BaoBolong Wetland Reserve Safari Garden Hotel Footsteps Eco-lodge Bintang Creek Madiyana Camp Kuntaur Jetty Kau-ur Wetlands Baboon Islands Bansang Quarry Basse Footsteps Eco-lodge Safari Garden Hotel Paradise Inn Lodge Bird Safari Camp Tendaba Camp Madiyana Camp Bird Safari Camp Tendaba Camp Paradise Inn Lodge BaoBolong Wetland Reserve Safari Garden Hotel Footsteps Eco-lodge Bintang Creek Madiyana Camp Kuntaur Jetty Kau-ur Wetlands Baboon Islands Bansang Quarry Basse Footsteps Eco-lodge Safari Garden Hotel, Fajara Paradise Inn Lodge, Tanji Bird Safari Camp, MacCarthy Island Tendaba Camp, Kwinella Madiyana Camp, Jinack Island