RE-OPENING AND NOW TAKING BOOKINGS!
Our first experience of The Gambia came a few years ago when we felt the need for sun and warmth to brighten up a harsh English winter!
The promise of blue skies, reliable temperatures and a warm welcome were too much to resist and so we arrived one day in a country about which we knew little – and soon learned that there is far more to being in The Gambia than just sunbathing on the beach!
The countryside, the people and the birds proved far more interesting and we quickly made friends in the Kotu area and came back again and again, each time learning more about the country that soon became like a second home.
Our interest in West African birding was quickly captured and with over 550 species to entice us we realised it was possible to truly make The Gambia our home once and for all.
So the idea of Halcyon Gambia was formed.
Halcyon Gambia is very much a family run business and has become the fulfilment of a long-held dream: to combine our love of the country with our love of birds and to offer wonderful birding holidays to like-minded visitors who may be absolute beginners or who have visited The Gambia before and want a different kind of birding holiday.
At Halcyon Gambia we have employed local craftspeople to help us create a perfect setting in which our guests can enjoy the luxury of modern accommodation in a more traditional setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger hotels ensuring our guests the highest standard of comfort and service.
We are very keen to contribute as much as we can to the local community and economy, therefore our staff come to us from Bijilo and surrounding villages and we use local suppliers whenever possible.
The Gambia is unique in its location and accessibility. Our season runs from November through to May and with The Gambia in the same time zone as the UK there is no jetlag to bother our guests. You can be sure of getting the most out of your time with us!
The birding is exceptional – it begins as your plane touches down at Yundum Airport and doesn’t stop until you return to Yundum for your homeward flight. It is therefore no surprise the amount of bird life that can be seen in our gardens. A full list of the birds spotted in our gardens can be found here, along with a list of birds seen so far on our tours.
There is so much to enjoy and so much to learn in The Gambia. Our birding trips will show you so much more than birds, with the opportunity to learn about the habitat and the local flora and fauna, helping to make your week in The Gambia a complete African experience!
All the staff at Halcyon look forward to seeing you soon
