Canoe trips to Buffulotto & Kambujeh

Our last day in the Gambia, we canoed back down to the village of Buffulotto and the oyster farm. The trip down the river once again produced some good sightings of birds including Blue-breasted, Malachite and Pied Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, African Darter, Purple Heron, Whimbrel and an Osprey.

After landing and getting some close views and photographs of the Vultures around the oyster middens we walked through allotments and open areas in search of wildlife. It wasn’t long before we spotted a Lanner Falcon, perched high in a baobab tree

After spending some time looking around the village allotments, were the women were busy tending the crops and ensuring that the area was well watered we moved on.

With more species added to our Gambia wildlife list and as the sun was heating up as we canoed the 30 minutes back to camp. for another delicious full breakfast. We then headed off to enjoy the mid-day rest and capture a few more images of the wildlife around the lodge.

Canoe trip to Kambujeh

The afternoon trip out took us up river to an area of cultivation allotments called Kambujeh. The local guides had to work hard paddling against the receding tide . As we approached the landing area a group of local lads were enjoying playing in the river.

Once ashore we headed into an area where the villagers were growing a variety of crops. including chili peppers, sweet potatoes and onions. The local guides were on the lookout for an owl, a very cool owl with two sets of ‘eyes’. The Pearl-spotted Owlet was soon located and gave us some great views of both sets of eyes as it sat high up in a palm tree.

As we made our way back to the boats the tide had receded grounding our boats but the local boys came to our rescue and pushed the boats back into the deeper water. The journey downstream was much quicker with the the help of an outgoing tide

On route we passed the original lodge site were we encountered a group of Guinea Baboons  who seemed to have taken over the old site. Back at the lodge we cleaned up and enjoyed another delicious meal under a still clear night sky.

Last Morning

With time in the morning after coffee and biscuits, we walked along the track towards Makasutu Forest. A number of Sunbirds continued to flit in and out, constantly on the move and rarely resting made getting good photos of them difficult. At the entrance to the forest reserve area a small group of White Helmetshrikes provided us with the opportunity to capture some images of this bird showing off its amazing yellow wattle eye.

At the Makasutu Forest craft market the guides tracked down a pair of roosting Northern White-faced Owls perching high in a tree.

We returned to the lodge and after a final packing, and a quick shower we made our way to the airport and onwards home.