Mandina Lodge & the Sunset Cruise

Another early morning start from Mandina Lodge with the skies still remaining cloudless we enjoyed our tea and biscuits . Again we set off in two canoes towards the village of Kubuneh.

This small village sits alongside the tributary to the Mandina Bolon (creek). By the time we arrived the local villages were already busy dealing with the oyster catch. The village proved not only to be attractive but a great birding spot. We spent a good couple of hours walking around and observing village life with it’s friendly residents. Finishing our walk at the school where there was a grove of huge Baobabs, Kapok and Fig trees before once more, boarding the canoes to be paddled back to the lodge for breakfast.

Around the Lodge

Our late afternoon excursion was a trip out to the Gambia river to catch the sunset over the river and mangrove forests. During the few hours between trips and with the temperature climbing into 40 degrees we sought some shade by the pool. Here we took a closer look at the Pied Kingfishers and Bee-eaters that were using the pool to enjoy a drink and bathing in the cool water.

Sunset Cruise

As the temperature started to dip four of us  set out on the boat trip through the mangroves to the main Gambia River. We travelled several miles through the mangrove river system until  finally reaching the main river. At over 20km across and unable to see the far bank at this point it was hard to believe we hadn’t reached the ocean. 

On our way we encountered a number of new sightings, including a Marsh Mongoose hunting,  Pink-backed Pelicans,  Egrets and Goliath herons. In our search for a closer view of the birds that inhabited the river system on the falling tide  our craft managed to beach itself in the middle of the river. Only to be saved from a long night on the river by our guide Sanna  and a  local fisherman who was spending the night out by his lines. After a good half hour manoeuvring  the craft and a couple of sundowners we reached deeper water.

As the sun set over the vast area we spotted a number of osprey fishing in the main channels. Our return leg took us into quieter channels where we encountered a number of African spoonbills and  two large West African Crocodiles. With the daylight gradually dwindling we reached the lodge in time to freshen up before another delicious evening meal.