Trip report pdf
For a trip that was not a birding holiday, you have got a pretty fine trip list!
A fine report Mark.
I see you did the evening visit to Makasutu & though you saw little your suspicions regarding the place are correct.
I've stayed there a few times with my non-birding wife who thinks it a great place. Staying there is certainly on the expensive side but from a birding perspective it's a hidden gem. I saw lots of good birds from our floating lodge (including 4 species of Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Finfoot,etc) whilst the surrounding savannah woodland holds most of the birds seen at Abuko.If you & your wife wish to return to The Gambia then it's well worth considering. For an idea of what to expect check this link: http://www.pbase.com/rainbirder/makasutu (most of the Makasutu bird images are in the general Gambian birds gallery).
Cheers,
Steve