My wife and I (and 2 other couples) spent 4 nights at the BSC. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had a fantastic time there. The journey up river from the coast was mostly by solar powered boat, the Solar Queen, which comfortably held 9 tourists and a couple of staff and Mark, the owner. We saw plenty of birds, expertly spotted for us by our guide, Ansoo, and also a lot of monkeys and baboons. We spent a night at the Tendaba Camp, en route, and had an excellent boat ride through the mangroves, again with excellent guides. The night in a hut in the camp was very hot, but there was a pool which was a blessing. The next day we continued for a short time on the Solar Queen before transferring to an air-conditioned mini-bus for a short drive, before once again going on the river in smaller boat - the Lady Hippo.

We arrived at the Bird Safari Camp late and were welcomed by the staff who explained how everything worked. After the heat at Tendaba, we opted for tents which were relatively new and provided excellent accommodation. They looked out onto the river and included an ensuite bathroom, in which everything worked, although the shower only provided cold, or luke warm, water but in temperatures of over 30 degrees, that was all that was required. The food was, at worst, adequate and at best, very good and there was plenty of it. Ice cold beers and soft drinks and some excellent South African wines were always available. Breakfast was excellent with bread freshly baked on the spot.

All the staff were knowledgeable, cheerful and friendly and in particular, Ansoo, the guide and Binta who manages everything, could not have done more. Whatever we wanted to do was never too much of a problem and we were honoured to be invited to Binta's home in nearby Georgetown.

The swimming pool was large enough to allow everyone to swim in comfort and cool off during the heat of the day. There was (solar powered) electricity in our tents and sufficient light to be able to comfortably read a book and it was cool enough to require at least a sheet to sleep under.

All in all, we would recommend this to anyone who enjoys getting away from the crowds, particularly (but not exclusively) if there is a strong enthusiasm for watching the huge variety of birds which inhabit this area. We also saw hippos in the river, but the guide was careful not to take us too close! And on the return journey on the Solar Queen, we were accompanied for about 15 minutes by a school of dolphins! Even on the various boat trips, food was provided at the appropriate times and tea, coffee and cold drinks at all times. Well worth a visit.

I stayed here for three nights with my 14 year old son. We loved it. There was no pressure upon us to do anything in particular, but plenty to do if you wanted. We swam in the river, walked into George Town, fished, and went in search of hippo's- which was fantastic. We located several, then went up river on the Lady Hippo where we swam off the boat whllst being watched from the trees by baboons. It was brilliant.
Our tents were nice and the bedding clean- lots of termites though, but they didn't bite- or live long when hit with a flip flop. The food was really tasty. I don't eat meat so they cooked fish too- even the ones we caught ourselves. This is the place to go if you are the type of person who doesn't mind simple living conditions surrounded by wildlife, whilst being exposed to the Gambian way of life.

Good location right on the banks of the river, 3km from Janjangbureh. Choice of ensuite tents or rooms. The tents were a little unstable but very mossie proof. Beds standard african foam so not that comfy if you're not used to it. Solar heated water available (not that you'd want it in that heat). Restaurant was excellent and staff very friendly. Good choice of activities available.

Bird Safari Camp has nice large clean tents on the River Gambia with clean and functional on suite bathrooms. The location is superb if you like birds and wildlife, the staff are friendly and generally - but not always- helpful and the food was good. Travelling up river on the Lady Hippo seeing hippos, dolphins, osprey and chimps was the highlight for me. I loved that we were in the Gambian National Park and could hear animals moving around and even fighting at night. If you go here for the wildlife, I suggest you make it clear that that is what you are going for. The area is protected in principle but this does not seem to be enforced at all. Talking to people there, illegal logging, bird trapping and killing of animals still sounds common. Many people in the area, and arguably the Gambian Government as well, don't seem to understand that they need to actively look after their natural resources if they want to continue to benefit from the wealth that wildlife tourists brings. The other thing to say is that I did feel let down when we booked to go out on a boat in the afternnon only for it to be taken by another group. We got no apology for this and I was actually told the request to do this was stupid. People in the group asked to go the next morning at dawn and this was met with a luke warm response of 'this might be possible' which added to the irritation. I was with a group who take no nonsense and we got our trip but be prepared to push for what you want. I understand from others that the minute the boss leaves the camp to go on holiday the staff all lie down, do nothing and you can't get any service or trips so perhaps try and go when you know Mark is in residence.