Wir reisten über Land aus dem Senegal ein. Eine Prozedur, die man nur mit viel Geduld und Ausdauer erträgt! Unser senegalesischer Fahrer Mbodj bringt uns an die Grenze, mit einer Scheibtruhe führen wir unser Gepäck auf die gambische Seite, dort lange Kontrolle. Schliesslich werden uns je € 55.- abgeknöpft, weil wir auf dem Landweg nicht von der Visapflicht ausgenommen sind. Kein Visum am Flughafen notwendig, hier schon. Nach der Grenze ein Stunde mit Taxi zum Hafen und dann Fähre nach Banjul.
Entering Gambia overland is quite a procedure. It cost us Austrians € 55.- each, although we are exempted from Visa on arrival at an aiport. So we had to pay for the luxury of wheelcart travel.
The ferry had just left so instead of waiting for hours we decided to take a local boat. We were carried aboard and so was our luggage.
On the Banjul side our guide Laibo is still waiting for us with a car! He and a boatman named Senghor load our luggage into Yaya's car.
We had booked in Tanji's Eco Lodge for the first few days, not far from the airport. Perfect setting in the forest, on a sand dune over the beach. Friendly staff and excellent kitchen. Mohammed served delicious fish or chicken, always nicely prepared and presented.
The plastic problem is a worldwide one, but Gambia is a hot spot!
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| Fishing village, Brufut, Ghana Town |
During the next few days Laibo took us round the birding sites in this region: Tanji Forest and Lagoon, Brufut Woods, Mariana Waterways, Abuko Forest and Farasuto, a bit farther off. Thanks to all the boys who are keeping an eye on these places and have the birds staked out for us lazy photographers! Here are some of the results:
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| Swallow-tailed Bee-eater at Tanji |
Laibo also tried to teach me the doves: a difficult matter! I hope to get them right here, - any corrections appreciated!
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| African Mourning Dove, big, collar, red eye-ring, white sides on tail |
Here two similar Wood Doves, small, quick flight. Red underwings, black tails.
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| Blue-spotted Wood Dove, red bill, red underwings, no white on tail |
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| Black-billed Wood Dove, flips black tail, red underwing. |
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| Vinaceous, left, and Laughing Dove, right. |
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| Green Turaco, Brufut Woodland |
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| Cardinal Woodpecker, Brufut Woods |
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| Long-tailed Nightjar, Brufut Woods |
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| Standard-winged Nightjar, Brufut Woods |
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| African Darter, Abuko |
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| Fork-tailed Drongo, Abuko |
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| Common Wattle-eye |
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| Red-billed Firefinch |
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| African Paradise Flycatcher, hybrid |
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| African Paradise Flycatcher |
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| Violet Turaco |
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| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Tanji |
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| Black-capped Babbler, Tanji bird bath |
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| Yellow-throated Leaflove |
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| Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Tanji |
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| Broad-billed Roller catching insects in flight, Tanji |
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| Shikra, Tanji |
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| Pied Crow |
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| Paradise Flycatcher |
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| Green Turaco |
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| Pearl-spotted Owlet, Brufut |
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| Long-tailed Nightjar |
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| Western Bluebill, Tanji |
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| Little Greenbul, Tanji bird bath |
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| Abyssinian Roller |
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| Beautiful Sunbird |
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| Oriole Warbler, Kotu bridge |
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| at Tanji Lagoon |
