Bird Safari Camp (FB), MacCarthy Island - see web site

Deep in the African bush, Bird Safari Camp is set on the tranquil river banks of MacCarthy Island, 300Km inland. It is the perfect base for exploring the fresh water regions up-country and is one of the best locations in The Gambia for spotting owls (Pearl-spotted Owlet, Senegalese and European Scops Owl, Northern White-faced and Milky Eagle Owl have all been recorded here).

The camp has a choice of accommodation - either traditional round thatched huts or safari tents. Both have an en-suite shower, WC and wash basin; water is pumped directly from the river and lighting is provided in the evenings by kerosene lamps and candles. Plans are currently underway to convert the camp to solar, but in the meantime if you need electricity to charge your digital cameras etc. we have our own generator which we can turn on for a few hours in the evening for a small surcharge.

The staff are very friendly and also provide a number of activities e.g. drumming lessons, cooking trip, village visit etc. which are included in the price of your Discover the River trip. You can hire our 7m boat for a tiger fishing trip (inc. fuel, guide, tackle & bait) for £100 a day (N.B. Bird Safari Camp is probably the cheapest destination from Europe to catch Tiger fish) though if you just want to do some fishing from the side of the jetty, Hidden Gambia clients are welcome to use our fishing equipment free of charge.

Of course, you may wish to do as little as possible and simply soak up the atmosphere with a good book. Fall asleep at night to the sounds of the bush - nightjar, owls etc. and start the day with a magnificent dawn chorus of bird song as the forest awakes.

• On the banks of a fresh-water river island
• Near to the Gambia River National Park
• African-style round huts or safari tents, restaurant & swimming pool
• Birdwatching, fishing and river trips
• Djembe tuition, dance, music, village visit and cooking trips
• Discover Gambian rural life and the ancient Wasu stone circles
• 12 metre swimming pool
• Romantic candlelit dinners

View more hotels and eco-lodges in The Gambia