One week Up-River Fishing Safari - The Gambia, West Africa

Days 1-2
Depart from the UK flying out to The Gambia (6 hrs flight time) to Banjul Airport. On arrival at Yumdum Airport the coach transfer will take approximately 40 mins to your hotel accommodation situated directly on the coast close to the beaches.

Two days in resort gives you the opportunity to relax around the poolside or stroll down the unspoilt beaches of The Gambia. You will have chance to explore the favourite tourist spots or charter a fishing boat to sample the excellent in-shore salt water fishing that The Gambia has to offer. Gambian nightlife is varied providing something for everyone, quality restaurants, local bars, nightclubs.

Day 3
7.30am after breakfast you will join your 4-wheel drive landrover loaded with fishing kit and travel bag and begin the 5 hour journey by road winding our way parallel to The Gambia River as we head off to its fresh water regions.

We will make the occasional stop on route as we pass through the different provinces of The Gambia travelling through open African Bush and farmlands as we follow the river east inland.

Once we reach the fresh water regions of the river you will notice the immediate riverbanks turn lush with sub-tropical forest and dense foliage. Deeper up-river we go with a final local ferry crossing onto McCarthy island itself then a 15 mins drive to Bird Safari Camp. On arrival (mid afternoon), anglers will be allocated their accommodation (click here for details) and time to cool-off from the drive before lunch is served at the restaurant.

The Fishing
The first fishing trip commences in the afternoon and will continue until after dark, fishing from the Safari Queen - a 60ft African pirogue with shaded sunroof and a well stocked bar (click here for a picture). This gives the angler plenty of room to fish whilst being kept cool in the provided shade. The large sunroof can also be used to fish from or simply for relaxing in the sun. We will be fishing at various locations along the river but you don't have to move too far to find the fish!!! Using combinations of light tackle bottom fishing with dead and live baits, spinning lures and baits at anchor or on the drift or trolling close the river edges with a variety of lures, provides plenty of action to keep you occupied.

At twilight, the river banks become alive with the barking calls of baboons which echo over the water as family groups can be sighted congregating in the tree tops. The bird life is breathtaking. Flocks of native African species soar across the river heading for their nighttime roosts. An orchestra of insects reaches its crescendo as day passes into night.

Fishing in the cool of the night is great. We light up the pirogue and fish a few hours for night-feeding species. At around 9.00pm we return to the camp for our evening buffet and entertainment from the colourful and traditional local dancers. For those anglers who wish to continue fishing during the evening, the boat is moored alongside our private jetty, providing a platform to fish from. The bar is a stone's throw away.

Day 4
Starts with an early morning breakfast. Any early risers, bird and wildlife lovers should take the opportunity to witness an African dawn as the sounds of the creatures of the night is lost in a dawn chorus of waking birds and daytime foragers. Guided birdwatching trips can be arranged at the camp for keen bird lovers.

Back to the Safari Queen and set off to return to the fishing grounds. Today, we will prepare and serve lunch on board not returning to the camp until early evening for our evening buffet and entertainment. Again, the chance to continue fishing into the night can be done from the jetty.

Day 5
Early breakfast and then we will spend the morning fishing a few last hot spots aboard the Safari Queen.

There will be the opportunity for those anglers, if they choose not to fish, to cross over onto the north bank of The Gambia via ferry and visit the sacred stone circles over two thousand years old, traditionally used in homage.

After lunch we set off on our return journey back to the resort hotel arriving back at about 7.30pm.

Day 6
Back at your hotel it is time spent at your own leisure with the perfect opportunity to sample the local craft markets and barter for a bargain or two and top up your suntan!

Day 7
Breakfast in the hotel and then time for last minute shopping before being picked up by the transfer coach back to the airport for your return journey to the UK.

Click here for a personal account of up-river fishing (by Richard Sheard, World Sport Fishing)

Click here for further information and bookings