Hidden Gambia river trips

You can choose from the following 3 small hotels/guesthouses at the coast:

Each of the above accommodation options has its own special charm and none features in any mainstream holiday brochures. They attract an interesting mix of travellers with an independent spirit who seek a "friendly, clean and comfortable" base in a pleasant location with good company.
The following coastal options are also available at a surcharge:

Safari Garden Hotel - View details
(25 min from Banjul airport)

Small and friendly - only 18 rooms
Set in a quiet residential area, 10 minutes walk from the beach
Swimming pool
Good choice of local restaurants nearby
Visit Gunjur fishing village, Tanje village museum or go shopping in the local markets
Spend a day at Abuko nature reserve, Makasutu culture forest or visit James Island to retrace the history of the slave trade and how it was finally abolished

Chimpanzee Project - View details
(180 miles inland)

Unique opportunity to experience the work of Africa's longest running chimpanzee rehabilitation project
Personal introduction by Stella Marden (née Brewer)
Exclusive accommodation in one of four safari tents overlooking the river
Full board - delicious 3-course dinners
Includes guided chimp viewing boat trips and visit to the horse & donkey project

Paradise Inn Lodge, Tanji - View details

Footsteps Eco-lodge, Gunjur - View details

Madiyana Camp, Jinack - View details

Located in the Niumi National Park, on The Gambia's northern border with Senegal
Simple collection of raffia huts: basic, but beautiful
11 km of deserted beaches
Outstanding wildlife - many species of protected birds and animals
Optional two days / one night trip for £60 pp from your coastal accommodation

Tendaba Camp (155km inland) - View details

Bird Safari Camp (300km inland) - View details

Hibiscus House, Brufut - View details

Sandele Eco-retreat, Kartong - View details

More details coming soon...

Bintang Creek (80km inland)

Join the "Safari Queen" up-river from Bintang Creek on a Sunday or Wednesday at approx 10am (Hidden Gambia bookings only)
Relaxing 2-3 hour trip to Tendaba Camp
Packed lunch onboard
See bottlenose dolphins and osprey
Return trip leaves Tendaba Camp on a Monday or Thursday at 1pm
N.B. Brand new boat (as of November 2005) with WC, shower (foot pump) and adjustable seating so you can lie down & relax

BaoBolong Wetland Reserve (155km inland)

The Gambia's largest protected area, this is a Ramsar site of international importance for birdlife
Situated across the river from Tendaba Camp
Explore the mangrove creeks on board a small boat
Impressive enough to excite even the non-birdwatcher!

Kau-ur Wetlands (160km inland)

A small area of swamp land on the north bank between Tendaba Camp and Kuntaur that keeps its water throughout most of the dry season
Excellent spot for viewing Egyptian Plover (June - Feb)
Other birds may include Purple Swamphen, Greater Painted Snipe and Malachite Kingfisher

Kuntaur Jetty (260km inland)

Join the "Lady Hippo" up-river from Kuntaur on a Monday or Thursday at 1.30pm (bookings only)
4 hour trip through the River Gambia National Park
Lunch buffet onboard
See hippos, monkeys, baboons & plenty of birds
Return trip leaves Bird Safari Camp on a Sunday or Wednesday morning
Option of spending a night onboard (near Bird Safari Camp). Bedding & mosquito nets supplied - limited numbers only

Baboon Islands (River Gambia National Park)

Upriver from Kuntaur and downstream from Bird Safari Camp
Freshwater habitat - see hippos, monkeys, crocs & plenty of birds.
Sail past the highly protected islands where chimpanzees are being reintroduced to the wild.

NEW FOR 2007/8!
Stay at the chimpanzee project and help support the chimps

Bansang Quarry (310km inland)

Only 10Km from Bird Safari Camp, this spot is famous for its breeding colony of Red-Throated Bee-Eaters.
These brightly coloured birds can be seen throughout the year, often in large numbers. They are particularly active during the rainy season when they excavate their own burrows in the softened banks of the quarry.
You can visit Bansang Quarry as part of your Discover the River trip on your way back from Basse

Basse (360km inland)

A small trading town on the banks of the Gambia River, 66km inland along a good tarmac road from Bird Safari Camp
Between June - February you may spot the gloriously patterned Egyptian Plover (aka. Crocodile Bird). Carmine Bee-Eaters can also be seen here throughout the year
Explore the bustling market and have lunch at Traditions, a small craft shop overlooking the river
Return to Bird Safari Camp via Bansang Quarry