GAMBIA BIRDING TOURS

With over 560 recorded species of birds…, discover the best birding sites.

Certified tour guide

17+ unique birding sites

Hand picked guides

TOURS & INTINERARIES

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Kotu Creek and environs

1 day tour – Birding or Photographing tours

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South Coast

2 day tour – Birding or Photographing tours

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3 day tour – Birding or Photographing tours

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Best Of Gambia

10 day tour – Birding or Photographing tours

Birds and Chimpanzee tour - Gambia

Birds And Chimpanzee Tour

2 day tour – Birding, Nature or Photographing tours

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Guided Sightseeing Trip

1 day tour – Visit the most exotic tourist attraction with Yankuba

Organizing and leading birding tours since 2008

Yankuba Jammeh is a friendly and down to earth professional bird watching guide based in the famous Kotu Creek birding hotspot. He has been organizing and leading birding tours since 2008. Yankuba was born and raised in the rural Gambia, where he took keen interest in birding and wildlife at a young age.

Impression Gambia Birding Tours

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Birds of the Gambia

Professional birding tours in

Expert birding guide, karanta camara, gambia birding tours.

We offer professional guided birding tours for an amazing trip through The Gambia.

Based at the famous Kotu Bridge, we offer short birding tours in the Kotu area, as well as custom tours through the entire Gambia and Senegal. Together, we can explore Gambia and enjoy its great diversity of birds and other animals. Thanks to our connections with guides throughout the Gambia, we have knowledge about the best locations to find the most beautiful and rarest birds. For example the Egyptian Plover, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Bearded Barbet, Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, Osprey, various owls, nightjars and many more.

Why book me in the Gambia?

I was the president of the Gambia Bird Watchers Association (BWA)for six years, a collaboration of 75 annually licensed guides dedicated to providing high quality bird guiding services. Thanks to my expertise and my connections throughout the Gambia, I know good locations to find all the beautiful birds this country has to offer.

EXCELLENT REVIEWS

Years experience, mammal species, bird species, explore results of our clients.

Birds of the Gambia, made by customers of our guided tours

                                                       CONSERVATION

Gambia Birding Tours, a leading bird watching tour company in The Gambia, is committed to providing quality services to customers while also recognizing the threats to biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife. The company pledges to donate 2% of bookings to community development projects, organize annual tree planting exercises, public lectures, and field trips to promote awareness of birdlife in schools and villages. Additionally, a charity will be established to support local women's self-reliance initiatives, youth empowerment, and encourage responsible farming and fishing practices to conserve marine and birdlife.

birding tours gambia

  • Ascension Island
  • Tristan da Cunha
  • Burkina Faso
  • Central African Republic
  • Congo Republic
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eswatini (Swaziland)
  • Guinea Bissau
  • North Sudan
  • São Tomé & Príncipe
  • Sierra Leone
  • Eastern Cape
  • KwaZulu Natal
  • Northern Cape
  • Northwest Province
  • Western Cape
  • South Sudan
  • Western Sahara
  • Afghanistan
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Heilongjiang
  • Inner Mongolia
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Lakshadweep
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • West Bengal
  • Indonesian Borneo
  • Lesser Sundas
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Peninsular Malaysia
  • Sarawak & Sabah
  • North Korea
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
  • Timor-Leste
  • Turkmenistan
  • American Samoa
  • Christmas Island
  • Coral Sea Islands
  • New South Wales
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Territory
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia
  • Cocos Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • French Polynesia
  • Marshall Islands
  • New Caledonia
  • Stewart Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Wallis & Futuna
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Lucia
  • St Vincent & Grenadines
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • Turks & Caicos
  • South Ossetia
  • Republic of Croatia
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  • Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
  • Hauts-de-France
  • Île-de-France
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Pays-de-la-Loire
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
  • Baden-Württemberg
  • Brandenburg
  • Lower Saxony
  • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
  • Rhineland Palatinate
  • Saxony-Anhalt
  • Schleswig-Holstein
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lake Skadar
  • Netherlands
  • Central Russia
  • Eastern Siberia
  • Northwest Russia
  • Russian Arctic
  • Russian Far East
  • South Russia
  • Western Siberia
  • Basque Country
  • Fuerteventura
  • Gran Canaria
  • Castilla y Leon
  • Castilla-La Mancha
  • Extremadura
  • Switzerland
  • Avon & Bristol
  • Bedfordshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
  • Gloucestershire
  • Greater London
  • Greater Manchester
  • Herefordshire
  • Hertfordshire
  • Isle of Wight
  • Isles of Scilly
  • Leicestershire & Rutland
  • Lincolnshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Northumberland
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Oxfordshire
  • Staffordshire
  • Warwickshire
  • West Midlands
  • Worcestershire
  • Yorkshire – East
  • Yorkshire – North
  • Yorkshire – South
  • Yorkshire – West
  • Isle of Man
  • Angus & Dundee
  • Clyde Islands
  • Dumfries & Galloway
  • Isle of May
  • Moray & Nairn
  • North-east Scotland
  • Orkney Isles
  • Outer Hebrides
  • Perth & Kinross
  • Upper Forth
  • Brecknockshire
  • Caernarfonshire
  • Carmarthenshire
  • Denbighshire
  • East Glamorgan
  • Meirionnydd
  • Montgomeryshire
  • Pembrokeshire
  • Radnorshire
  • Vatican City
  • Vancouver Island
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland
  • Northwest Territories
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Saskatchewan
  • Aguascalientes
  • Baja California
  • Baja California Sur
  • Mexico City
  • Quintana Roo
  • San Luis Potosí
  • St Pierre & Miquelon
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Rio Grande Valley
  • West Virginia
  • Buenos Aires City
  • Buenos Aires State
  • Santiago del Estero
  • Tierra del Fuego
  • Espírito Santo
  • Federal District
  • Mato Grosso
  • Mato Grosso do Sul
  • Minas Gerais
  • Rio de Janeiro State
  • Rio Grande do Norte
  • Rio Grande do Sul
  • Santa Catarina
  • Easter Island
  • Northern Ecuador
  • French Guiana
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Farne Islands
  • Birding Tour Companies
  • Bird Fairs & Festivals
  • Trip Report Repositories
  • Weather & Tides
  • Rarity Alerts
  • Ornithological Journals
  • Birding Magazines
  • Websites with Mega-links
  • Books for Birders
  • Bird Book Publishers
  • Software, DVDs, Recordings etc.
  • Bird Writers
  • Bird Art & Artists
  • Digiscoping
  • Photos, Photography & Photographers
  • Webcams & Nestcams
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  • #11964 (no title)
  • Bird Watching Books
  • Bird Watching Telescopes
  • Birdfeeders, Birdhouses etc
  • Optics Retailers
  • Optics Companies
  • Outdoor Clothing for Birders
  • Other Birding Equipment & Accessories
  • Tripod Companies
  • Banding or Ringing
  • Study & Bird Behaviour
  • Birders & Ornithologists
  • Threatened & Extinct Species
  • Conservation
  • Ornithology Courses
  • Identification
  • Invasive Species
  • Taxonomy & Bird Names
  • Acanthisittidae – New Zealand Wrens
  • Acanthizidae – Australasian Warblers
  • Acrocephalidae – Reed & Brush Warblers Etc.
  • Aegithalidae – Bush Tits
  • Aegithinidae – Ioras
  • Alaudidae – Larks
  • Arcanatoridae – Dapple-throat & Allies
  • Artamidae – Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Currawongs
  • Atrichornithidae – Scrub-birds
  • Bernieridae – Malagasy Warblers
  • Bombycillidae – Waxwings
  • Buphagidae – Oxpeckers
  • Calcariidae – Longspurs & Snow Buntings
  • Callaeidae – Kokako & Saddlebacks
  • Campephagidae – Cuckooshrikes, Cicadabirds, Trillers & Minivets
  • Cardinalidae – Cardinals, Grosbeaks & Allies
  • Certhiidae – Treecreepers
  • Cettidae – Bush Warblers, Tesias & Allies
  • Chaetopidae – Rockjumpers
  • Chloropseidae – Leafbirds
  • Cinclidae – Dippers
  • Cisticolidae – Cisticolas, Prinia, Tailorbirds & Allies
  • Climacteridae – Australasian Treecreepers
  • Cnemophilidae – Satinbirds
  • Coerebidae – Bananaquit
  • Conopophagidae – Gnateaters
  • Corcoracidae – Australian Mudnesters
  • Corvidae – Crows, Jays, Magpies & Allies
  • Cotingidae – Cotingas, Fruiteaters & Allies
  • Dasyornithidae – Bristlebirds
  • Dicaeidae – Flowerpeckers
  • Dicruridae – Drongos
  • Donacobiidae – Donacobius
  • Dulidae – Palmchat
  • Elachuridae – Spotted Wren-babbler
  • Emberizidae – Buntings, New World Sparrows & Allies
  • Erythroceridae – Yellow Flycatchers
  • Estrildidae – Waxbills, Munias & Allies
  • Eulacestomatidae – Ploughbill
  • Eupetidae – Rail-Babbler
  • Eurylaimidae – Broadbills
  • Formicariidae – Antthrushes
  • Fringillidae – Finches, Seedeaters, Euphonias & Allies
  • Furnariidae – Ovenbirds
  • Grallariidae – Antpittas
  • Hirundinidae – Swallows & Martins
  • Hyliotidae – Hyliotas
  • Hylocitreidae – Yellow-flanked Whistler
  • Hypocoliidae – Hypocolius
  • Icteridae – Oropendolas, Orioles, Blackbirds & Allies
  • Ifritidae – Blue-capped Ifrit
  • Incertae Sedis – Uncertain Families
  • Irenidae – Fairy-bluebirds
  • Laniidae – Shrikes
  • Leiothrichidae – Turdoides Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Barwings & Sibias
  • Locustellidae – Grassbirds & Allies
  • Machaerirhynchidae – Boatbills
  • Macrosphenidae – Crombecs, Longbills & African Warblers
  • Malaconotidae – Bushshrikes, Tchagras, Puffbacks & Boubous
  • Maluridae – Australasian Wrens
  • Melampittidae – Melampittas
  • Melanocharitidae – Berrypeckers & Longbills
  • Melanopareiidae – Crescent-chests
  • Meliphagidae – Honeyeaters
  • Menuridae – Lyrebirds
  • Mimidae – Mockingbirds, Thrashers & Allies
  • Mohoidae – O’os
  • Mohouidae – Whitehead, Yellowhead & Brown Creeper
  • Monarchidae – Monarchs, Paradise Flycatchers & Allies
  • Motacillidae – Longclaws, Pipits & Wagtails
  • Muscicapidae – Old World Flycatchers
  • Nectariniidae – Sunbirds & Spiderhunters
  • Neosittidae – Sitellas
  • Nicatoridae – Nicators
  • Notiomystidae – Stitchbird
  • Oreoicidae – Australasian Bellbirds
  • Oriolidae – Old World Orioles, Pitohuis & Figbirds
  • Orthonychidae – Logrunners & Chowchilla
  • Pachycephalidae – Whistlers & Allies
  • Panuridae – Bearded Reedling
  • Paradisaeidae – Birds-of-paradise
  • Paramythiidae – Painted Berrypeckers
  • Pardalotidae – Pardalotes
  • Paridae – Tits & Chickadees
  • Parulidae – New World Warblers
  • Passeridae – Old World Sparrows
  • Pellorneidae – Fulvettas, Ground Babblers & Allies
  • Petroicidae – Australasian Robins
  • Peucedramidae – Olive Warbler
  • Philepittidae – Asities
  • Phylloscopidae – Leaf Warblers & Allies
  • Picathartidae – Rockfowl
  • Pipridae – Manakins
  • Pittidae – Pittas
  • Pityriaseidae – Bristlehead
  • Platysteiridae – Wattle-eyes & Batises
  • Ploceidae – Weavers, Widowbirds & Allies
  • Pnoepygidae – Wren-babblers
  • Polioptilidae – Gnatcatchers
  • Pomatostomidae – Australasian Babblers
  • Prionopidae – Helmetshrikes
  • Promeropidae – Sugarbirds
  • Prunellidae – Accentors
  • Psophodidae – Whipbirds, Jewel-babblers & Quail-thrushes
  • Ptilogonatidae – Silky-flycatchers
  • Ptilonorhynchidae – Bowerbirds & Catbirds
  • Pycnonotidae – Bulbuls
  • Regulidae – Goldcrests & Kinglets
  • Remizidae – Penduline Tits
  • Rhagologidae – Mottled Berryhunter
  • Rhinocryptidae – Tapaculos
  • Rhipiduridae – Fantails
  • Sapayoidae -Sapayoa
  • Scotocercidae – Streaked Scrub Warbler
  • Sittidae – Nuthatches
  • Stenostiridae – Fairy Flycatchers
  • Sturnidae – Starlings, Mynas & Rhabdornis
  • Sylviidae – Sylviid Babblers, Parrotbills & Fulvettas
  • Tephrodornithidae – Woodshrikes & Allies
  • Thamnophilidae – Antbirds
  • Thraupidae – Tanagers & Allies
  • Tichodromidae – Wallcreeper
  • Timaliidae – Babblers
  • Tityridae – Tityras, Becards & Allies
  • Troglodytidae – Wrens
  • Turdidae – Thrushes
  • Tyrannidae – Tyrant Flycatchers
  • Urocynchramidae – Przevalski’s Finch
  • Vangidae – Vangas
  • Viduidae – Indigobirds & Whydahs
  • Vireonidae – Vireos, Greenlets & Shrike-babblers
  • Zosteropidae – White-eyes, Yuhinas & Allies
  • Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks & Eagles
  • Aegothelidae – Owlet-nightjars
  • Alcedinidae – Kingfishers
  • Alcidae – Auks
  • Anatidae – Swans, Geese & Ducks
  • Anhimidae – Screamers
  • Anhingidae – Darters
  • Anseranatidae – Magpie Goose
  • Apodidae – Swifts
  • Apterygidae – Kiwis
  • Aramidae – Limpkin
  • Ardeidae – Herons, Egrets & Bitterns
  • Balaenicipitidae – Shoebill
  • Brachypteraciidae – Ground Rollers
  • Bucconidae – Puffbirds
  • Bucerotidae – Hornbills
  • Bucorvidae – Ground Hornbills
  • Burhinidae – Thick-knees & Stone Curlews
  • Cacatuidae – Cockatoos
  • Capitonidae – New World Barbets
  • Caprimulgidae – Nightjars & Nighthawks
  • Cariamidae – Seriemas
  • Casuariidae – Cassowaries
  • Cathartidae – New World Vultures
  • Charadriidae – Plovers, Lapwings & Dotterels
  • Chionidae – Sheathbill
  • Ciconiidae – Storks
  • Coliidae – Mousebirds
  • Columbidae – Doves & Pigeons
  • Coraciidae – Rollers
  • Cracidae – Chachalacas, Curassows & Guans
  • Cuculidae – Old World Cuckoos
  • Diomedeidae – Albatrosses
  • Dromadidae – Crab Plover
  • Dromaiidae – Emu
  • Eurypygidae – Sunbittern
  • Falconidae – Falcons, Kestrels & Caracaras
  • Fregatidae – Frigatebirds
  • Galbulidae – Jacamars
  • Gaviidae – Divers or Loons
  • Glareolidae – Coursers & Pratincoles
  • Gruidae – Cranes
  • Haematopodidae – Oystercatchers
  • Heliornithidae – Finfoots & Sungrebe
  • Hemiprocnidae – Treeswifts
  • Hydrobatidae – Northern Storm Petrels
  • Ibidorhynchidae – Ibisbill
  • Indicatoridae – Honeyguides
  • Jacanidae – Jacanas
  • Laridae – Gulls, Terns & Skimmers
  • Leptosomatidae – Cuckoo Roller
  • Lybiidae – African Barbets
  • Megalimidae – Asian Barbets
  • Megapodiidae – Megapodes
  • Meropidae – Bee-eaters
  • Mesitornithidae – Mesites
  • Momotidae – Motmots
  • Musophagidae – Turacos, Plantain-eaters & Go-away-birds
  • Numididae – Guineafowl
  • Nyctibiidae – Potoos
  • Oceanitidae – Austral Storm Petrels
  • Odontophoridae – New World Quails
  • Opisthocomidae – Hoatzin
  • Otididae – Bustards, Floricans & Korhaans
  • Pandionidae – Ospreys
  • Pedionomidae – Plains Wanderer
  • Pelecanidae – Pelicans
  • Pelecanoididae – Diving Petrels
  • Phaethontidae – Tropicbirds
  • Phalacrocoracidae – Cormorants & Shags
  • Phasianidae – Pheasants, Grouse, Partridges & Allies
  • Phoenicopteridae – Flamingos
  • Phoeniculidae – Wood Hoopoes & Scimitarbills
  • Picidae – Woodpeckers
  • Pluvianellidae – Magellanic Plover
  • Pluvianidae – Egyptian Plover
  • Podargidae – Frogmouths
  • Podicipedidae – Grebes
  • Procellariidae – Petrels, Diving Petrels & Shearwaters
  • Psittacidae – African & New World Parrots
  • Psittaculidae – Old World Parrots
  • Psophiidae – Trumpeters
  • Pteroclidae – Sandgrouse
  • Rallidae – Rails, Crakes, Gallinules & Coots etc.
  • Ramphastidae – Aracari, Toucans & Toucanets
  • Recurvirostridae – Avocets & Stilts
  • Rheidae – Rheas
  • Rhynochetidae – Kagu
  • Rostratulidae – Painted Snipe
  • Sagittariidae – Secretarybird
  • Sarothruridae – Flufftails
  • Scolopacidae – Woodcock, Snipe, Sandpipers & Allies
  • Scopidae – Hammerkop
  • Semnornithidae – Toucan Barbets
  • Spheniscidae – Penguins
  • Steatornithidae – Oilbird
  • Stercorariidae – Skuas or Jaegers
  • Strigidae – Owls
  • Strigopidae – New Zealand Parrots
  • Struthionidae – Ostriches
  • Sulidae – Gannets & Boobies
  • Thinocoridae – Seedsnipe
  • Threskiornithidae – Ibises & Spoonbills
  • Tinamidae – Tinamous
  • Todidae – Todies
  • Trochilidae – Hummingbirds
  • Trogonidae – Trogons & Quetzals
  • Turnicidae – Buttonquails
  • Tytonidae – Barn & Grass Owls
  • Upupidae – Hoopoes
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  • Bird Humour
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  • Angling & Birds
  • Gardening For Birders
  • Birding Blogs
  • Accessible Birding
  • Birding Organisations
  • Birds on Stamps
  • Fatbirder’s Birding Advice

birding tours gambia

Birding the Gambia

For the European tourist, The Gambia provides a first class destination for any birdwatcher. It has the advantage of being only a short flight away (about 5½ hours) and it has a very large bird list with over 550 species recorded. It is situated close to the northern limit of the tropical rain front and The Gambia is right in the middle of the narrow transitional zone between semi dessert and tropical rain forest, consequently, the country’s bird list includes species from both of these areas with the species to be seen varying with the onset of the rainy and dry seasons. Add to the African endemic species the many European migrants that either pass through The Gambia or spend the winter there, and one can see why the bird list is so large. Because of the proximity of the rain forest to the south and the desert to the north, there is always the chance of spotting something unusual that has overshot on migration, or on a food-finding tour.

The climate is very pleasant, although it can be perhaps a little hot inland in the period just before and just after the annual summer rains. However, for many, the big attraction about birding in The Gambia is the attitude of the local population that is friendly, and, for the most part, very helpful.

Hotels in The Gambia range from adequate to very good. As in all things, you get what you pay for. The Atlantic Hotel is a little out on a limb being close to the capital Banjul. However, it has its own bird garden, is close to the Bund road. There are several hotels, Kombo Beach, Bungalow Beach and the Badala Park that offer good birding just a short walk from the hotel in the Kotu area. The Senegambia has large grounds with a corresponding large bird population. The Kairaba, a little more expensive than the average is next door. Also nearby is the Kololi Beach Club, time-share, but rooms can be booked here. All these last three are close to and within easy walking distance of the small Bijilo reserve.

Almost anywhere in The Gambia is good for birds, especially if you have never been before. Don’t dismiss your hotel grounds as being too peopled either, you will often get good views of birds such as the Barbary Shrike (sorry Gonelek, showing my age) in the grounds whereas outside they are very timid and often hard to see well. The Senegambia in particular is renowned for its bird-garden; however, in Feb 2000 they were feeding the vultures and Black Kites on the lawn, which seemed to have driven some of the smaller birds away. The Atlantic Hotel too has a small but effective bird garden and I have some lovely video of a Blue Breasted Kingfisher that took up residence there for a while. The Kairaba has large grounds that attract many species including Wattled Plover, Wood Hoopoe, fine spotted woodpecker and a very tame Whimbrel. In truth, most of the hotels have some grounds around them and you will undoubtedly find birds to enjoy whichever hotel you are staying in. (I stayed at the Senegambia and saw 70 species in the grounds! – Fatbirder)

Every little patch of rough ground seems to have its own specialities like the black-shouldered kite in the rough ground between the main road to the Senegambia Hotel and the sea. A damp patch on this same piece of ground produced one morning practically every Gambian heron and egret plus spoonbills.

A good guide can be a great help, especially if you are looking for a particular bird. The problem in The Gambia is that the local enterprise culture has found that a lot of tourists come to The Gambia to watch birds and that there is money to be made as a guide. If you appear outside your hotel with binoculars around your neck, potential guides will soon surround you. Some are good and really know their stuff, but many know little about bird recognition or where best to find birds. The very best ones, do not hang about outside hotels, you will need to contact them. All the hotels run special birdwatching excursions, and if you are on your first visit to The Gambia, then for your first couple of outings you won’t regret using these as a springboard to your own travels. However, for trips up-country and away from the coastal regions until you have a little experience of the country I would always recommend a guided tour. Not just for safety reasons, but because it would be just too easy to spend your valuable time searching for the best sites instead of birdwatching, which is after all, what you are thinking of visiting The Gambia for, isn’t it?

There are plenty of good sites within easy reach of the hotels. You could walk to many of them from the hotel but, apart from those that are right next to the hotel, it would mean a hot and dusty walk along busy roads. However, with taxis relatively cheap it’s not worth the hassle. Remember to bargain with your taxi driver, you will usually be able to negotiate a reasonable rate for there and back with a couple of hours waiting. But do agree the price before you start. If you are a really hard nut you can probably get your ride very cheap. I personally like to settle on a price that I think is reasonable for the journey, I get no pleasure in squeezing the last ounce out of someone who is already making do on a minimal income. (Often the driver is in a vehicle owned by someone else and has to queue – up to a week – for a fare! He may be supporting a very extended family. I hired a taxi for a week at a rate less than half the cost of a self-drive car in Europe and then gave a large, much appreciated, tip at the end of the week. It was a real bargain for me and like a lottery win for the driver – Fatbirder).

While the list of coastal sites will be enough to keep many birdwatchers happy for a fortnight’s holiday, to see the bigger raptors it is best to travel inland. Whilst the distances are not great, the poor state of the roads means that what would be a short 2-3 hour journey within Europe, will take all day in the Gambia and the follow-on from this is that you will need overnight accommodation. Therefore, I repeat my earlier statement; if you are new to The Gambia then you are better taking an organised tour to the inland sites and let someone else look after the admin.

Finally, here are a few words of advice.

Dress Remember The Gambia is a mainly Moslem country. Ladies, when away from the beaches, keep your thighs covered. Save the skimpy shorts for the holiday environs. Begging There are some beggars and scroungers who hang around outside the hotels. They can be a nuisance but be firm and tell them to go away and walk away from them. They will tell you they are only trying to be friendly and why can’t you be friendly too. Don’t be fooled they will soon be asking you to donate to their school or some other project with the money undoubtedly destined for their own pocket. General Safety Having said that, the Gambians in general are really friendly people, you will undoubtedly meet many whose friendship you can savour for the rest of your life, but you probably won’t meet them just outside the hotel or on the beach and they certainly won’t thrust themselves upon you. There are times when the country is troubled and at any time walking about by yourself away from tourist areas and especially in the city is not a good idea. Ask your hotel for advice and follow it.

There is no social security in The Gambia and one cannot help but feel sorry for those with grave disabilities. However, once you begin giving you will be treated as the pot that never empties both by the needy and everyone else around. The best way to make a contribution to the local economy is to buy your souvenirs or a service from the Gambians and take with you articles that are useful for education. Hotel staff will be delighted to pass these on. (I took a large English dictionary, some pens and paper and an old pair of binoculars with me as well as some children’s T-shirts left over from an advertising promotion – the gratitude was overwhelming. Fatbirder)

Away from tourist hotels there isn’t a problem you may be asked by the children for any pen or any sweet. Once you give a child one pen or sweet you will immediately be surrounded by masses more. If you carry an inexhaustible supply of goodies, fine, otherwise…

A final finally. Caucasian tourists will be addressed as Toubab apparently a local corruption of two bob. Two bob (two shillings in old British money) was the going rate for running an errand in the days when The Gambia was a colony. If you think how inflation has changed values, you will realise that it was in fact quite a generous rate. Happy birding.

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Abuko Nature Reserve

Bird safari camp, lamin lodge, tanji bird reserve, tendaba camp, waste ground between kairaba avenue and the sea (towards senegambia hotel), yundum airport, nigel eaton-gray.

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Number of bird species: 613

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birding tours gambia

Birds of Senegal and The Gambia

Field guide to butterflies of the gambia, west africa, field guide to wildlife of the gambia, finding birds in the gambia, kartong bird observatory, african bird club, gambia birdwatchers' association, west african bird study association, west african ornithological society.

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NP Kiang West

Np river gambia, nature reserves, werv bao bolon, abdoulie ndure, bird finders, ebrima njie - birdlife africa, fatou tours, footsteps eco-lodge, gambia bird tour, gambia birding tours, gambia experience, malick suso, modou barry, modou saidy, ousman joku, 2014 [01 january] - christoph moning & gerlinde taurer, 2014 [11 november] - richard hanman, 2015 [02 february] - tony benton, 2015 [03 march] - kevin bollington, 2015 [11 november] - jan sjostedt & ingvar jansson - gambia & senegal, 2016 [01 january] - claudi racionero, 2016 [02 february] - kit britten, 2016 [11 november] - antony skyrme, 2016 [11 november] - david flack, 2016 [11 november] - pat & judy hayes, 2016 [11 november] - solomon jallow, 2016 [12 december] - bob buckler, 2016 [12 december] - tony moverley, 2017 [03 march] - helen & michael howard, 2018 [03 march] - david karr, 2018 [08 august] - ralf jahraus, 2018 [11 november] - jildert hijlkema, 2018 [12 december] - ralf jahraus, 2019 [02 february] - tom hibbert & lauren booth, 2022 [02 february] - jaap westra, 2022 [12 december] - dylan vasapolli - senegal & gambia, 2023 [01 january] - bent otto poulsen, 2023 [02 february] - bob swann, 2023 [02 february] - kath & mick claydon, 2023 [03 march] - hans matheve, dalaba lodge, farakunku lodges, kairaba beach hotel, mandinari river lodge, morgan kunda lodges, paradise inn tanji village, senegambia beach hotel, birds of the gambia and senegal, gambia experience birdwatching blog, photographer - hans martin.

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birding tours gambia

My name is Ebrima Sidibeh

I offer tailor made bird tours in Gambia and Sengal, both shorter day trips around Kotu Bridge and the surrounding area where I am based, to longer multiday tours heading inland to explore the vast array of birding sites and iconic species that the countries have to offer. I am highly experienced, having been a pioneer in Gambian bird guiding 30 years ago. This means I have been able to accumulate an in depth knowledge of the birdlife that lives here, including a number of secret sites for some of the most sought-after target species, ensuring you a trip of a lifetime.

Ebrima Sidibeh

  Ebrima Sidibeh  -  Professional Gambian Bird Guide

Experience the vibrant bird life of Africa's

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Explore The Gambia and Senegal with Karanta Camara

The Gambia and Senegal host diverse wildlife, from vibrant birds to majestic lions, across forests and savannahs.

Touring The Gambia and Senegal reveals vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes.

Gambia Birding Tour

We offer professional guided birding tours for an amazing trip through The Gambia.

Based at the famous Kotu Bridge, we offer short birding tours in the Kotu area, as well as custom tours through the entire Gambia and Senegal. Together, we can explore Gambia and enjoy its great diversity of birds and other animals.

Thanks to our connections with guides throughout the Gambia, we have knowledge about the best locations to find the most beautiful and rarest birds. For example the Egyptian Plover, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Bearded Barbet, Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur Eagle, Osprey, various owls, nightjars and many more.

Experience The Birding and Wildlife

Step into the depths of West Africa with Karanta Camara Tours. Our personalized itineraries will take you through The Gambia’s calm riverine landscapes and Senegal’s lively cultural montage. We offer everything from wildlife safaris, historical excursions, adventures so you can curate a journey you won’t forget. With us, safety and comfort are guaranteed at every turn. And did I mention affordability? Jump on board

Safe Traveling

Make your way with certainty and tranquility as you take a trip with Karanta Camara, who will ensure a safe and secure journey through the stunning landscapes of The Gambia and Senegal.

Affordable Price

Karanta Camara provides reasonable public moves through The Gambia and Senegal. If you're up for it, uncover the memorable journeys that lie ahead.

Comfort Accommodation

Feel the height of coziness with handpicked lodgings by Karanta Camara. These accommodations fuse luxury and local charm in The Gambia and Senegal.

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Discover A Mesmerizing Nature Landscape & Stunning Culture

Gambia Birding Tours offers lots of flexibility when it comes to birdwatching. With so many habitats in The Gambia with a rich collection of birds, they encourage adventurers to personalise their journey and travel at their own pace.

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We Offer Customised Tour in The Gambia and Senegal

Experience the vibrant culture and rich history of The Gambia and Senegal with our customised tour packages. Explore the bustling markets of Banjul, cruise along the Gambia River, and immerse yourself in traditional Gambian music and dance. In Senegal, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goree Island, discover the colorful markets of Dakar, and marvel at the architectural wonders of Saint-Louis. Our expert guides will ensure you have an unforgettable journey tailored to your interests and preferences. Get these extra with wildlife beauty! Come discover the beauty and diversity of West Africa with us.

  • Conservation

Gambia Birding Tours, a leading bird watching tour company in The Gambia, is committed to providing quality services to customers while also recognizing the threats to biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife. The company pledges to donate 2% of bookings to community development projects, organize annual tree planting exercises, public lectures, and field trips to promote awareness of birdlife in schools and villages. Additionally, a charity will be established to support local women’s self-reliance initiatives, youth empowerment, and encourage responsible farming and fishing practices to conserve marine and birdlife.

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Birds of Senegal

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Wildlife Tours in Senegal 

Senegal is a land of vibrant culture and rich wildlife....

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Birding and Photography in The Gambia and Senegal

Birding in The Gambia The Gambia is a small country...

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Best Time For Birding In The Gambia

 ​​​​​​​The Gambia is a small country located in West Africa...

Specialised Scheduled Tour In The Gambia and Senegal

Gambia Birding Tour’s Specialised Scheduled Tour in The Gambia and Senegal offers unforgettable birdwatching experiences led by expert guides. Explore diverse habitats and spot endemic and migratory bird species while gaining insights into local culture and ecology. Perfect for both seasoned birders and nature enthusiasts, this tour promises a memorable adventure in West Africa.

Get Closer With Us & Get Special Promo

With affordable price and safe travel and conquering The Gambia and Senegal, Gambia Birding Tour offers special prices.

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birding tours gambia

Bird Watching

Gambia, a haven for bird watchers, boasts diverse habitats, rich avifauna, and captivating birding hotspots. Prepare your binoculars and embark on an avian adventure!

birding tours gambia

Gambia’s safari trips deliver captivating wildlife, stunning landscapes, and cherished memories for adventurous souls. Embrace the wild wonders!

birding tours gambia

Gambia’s enchanting allure offers unforgettable journeys, blending vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality for travelers seeking extraordinary experiences

birding tours gambia

  • Your Safety

Holiday in gambia

birding tours gambia

Welcome to Gambia birds heaven, where the birds are always singing and the birdwatching is always exciting! Our birdwatching service here in Gambia is second to none, and we’re confident that you’ll love every minute of it. Our expert guides know all the best spots for birdwatching in the country, and they’re always ready to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious newbie, we guarantee that you’ll have a great time exploring Gambia’s rich birdlife.

But don’t just take our word for it – our feathered friends speak for themselves! With over 580 species of birds recorded in Gambia and Senegal, including rarities like the Egyptian Plover and the Northern Carmine Bee-eater, there’s no shortage of stunning sights to see. And with your state-of-the-art equipment and our personalized service, you’ll be able to capture every moment of your birdwatching adventure. So come and join us in Gambia for a birdwatching experience like no other – you won’t regret it!

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Ready for a unique safari experience? Look no further than Gambia. We offer a diverse range of wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys, reptiles, bushbucks, and antelopes. Explore the River Gambia National Park to witness chimpanzees, hippos, and baboons, and don’t miss a day trip to Fathala Park in north Senegal for an encounter with larger animals such as giraffes, rhinos, buffalos, zebras, bushpigs, lions, and more! While we may not have the big cats, our distinctive lineup of animals sets us apart. With our experienced guides and top-of-the-line equipment, your safari adventure will be both educational and thrilling.

Escape the ordinary and embark on an exciting journey in Gambia. Our charming giraffes with their long necks and goofy grins, powerful and resilient rhinos, and formidable crocodiles await you. Rest assured, our guides will ensure your safety and keep you entertained throughout the safari. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Let’s unleash your wild side in Gambia!

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Your safety is our priority

Listen up, folks! We take safety seriously, and not just because we don’t want any of our clients to become snacks for the local crocodiles. We’ve got all the gear and expertise you need to make sure that you’ll be safe from the minute you set foot in Gambia until the moment you leave. We’ve got mosquito nets, first aid kits, and emergency radios, so if you get lost or hurt, we’ve got your back. Just remember to listen to your guide, and you’ll be alright – unless, of course, you’re the type to wander off and try to make friends with the baboons. We can’t help you there.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “but I want to get out of my comfort zone and experience something new!” Well, let me tell you, if you’re looking for discomfort, Gambia is the place to be! Not only will you be sleeping in a tent under the stars, but you’ll be doing it with bugs crawling all over you. And let’s not forget the heat – it’s like a sauna, except you’re not allowed to leave. But don’t worry, we’ve got ice-cold drinks and plenty of shade to keep you from melting into a puddle. So come on, take a walk on the wild side, and join us for an adventure in Gambia!

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Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and experience a simpler way of living? Look no further than Gambia, where the pace of life is slow and the people are friendly and welcoming. We offer comfortable accommodations to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, or we can recommend trusted places to stay if you prefer. With plenty of natural beauty to explore and local communities to meet, Gambia is the perfect destination for a peaceful retreat.

So whether you’re looking to take a quiet walk along the beach, try some traditional Gambian cuisine, or simply enjoy the warm weather, Gambia has everything you need to relax and unwind. Come and experience the warmth and hospitality of our country for yourself, and discover a way of life that is both simple and fulfilling. We look forward to welcoming you to Gambia, where the only thing you need to worry about is taking the time to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.

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Your guide: Dallu

Why did I start this business? Well, let me tell you a story. When I was but a wee youngster, I used to spend my weekends helping my dear mum in the vegetable garden. Surrounded by nature and woodlands, all I could hear was the sweet melodies of the birds. It was then that my love for birds and wildlife was born. I devoured every book I could get my hands on and studied like a feathered fiend. And so, after school, I decided to pursue my passion and become a professional guide. Fast forward almost 16 years later, and I’m still chirping away as a seasoned pro. Join me on a journey of discovery and let’s wing it together!

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The Gambia – Birding The Smiling Coast

The Gambia is a popular destination with European birders, and for good reason. Located just the other side of the Sahara, The Gambia is easily accessible and has good accommodation and infrastructure. Most importantly for us, the country hosts a fine selection of typical African birds and this will be our 15th year of tours to this tiny African nation. The Gambia is also well served by local guides, and English is spoken widely. Most tours visiting the region base themselves briefly at the coast and spend time exploring the upriver regions, though the ethos of this tour is different. As a single-centre bird filled break based in a tourist hotel on the coast, this is ideal for those taking their first steps into African birding but also serves up an enviable list of excellent birds. Likely raptors include African Harrier-hawk, Shikra, Black-winged Kite, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon and Hooded Vulture, among many others. Kingfishers are well represented, from the tiny African Pygmy to the noisy Pied. Then there are turacos, hornbills and ground-hornbills, honeyguides, drongos, bulbuls and babblers, robin-chats, paradise flycatchers, sunbirds, bush-shrikes and helmet-shrikes, glossy starlings, ox-peckers, widow birds and bishops, and waxbills and weavers – phew! Many of these exotic sounding birds can be found in our hotel gardens, as we have 20 acres of tropical woodland to explore!

Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleus, African Golden Oriole, Bearded Barbet, Oriole Warbler, Bronze Mannikin, Red-billed and African Grey Hornbills, Senegal Parrot, Mosque Swallow, Yellow-crowned Gonolek and African Black Flycatcher are some of the delights in store! Our trips into the field will take us to Abuko Nature reserve, Marakissa, Farasuto, Kartong, Sohm, Tanji and Koto ponds and creek where a selection of wetland species includes many egrets, herons, thick-knees, waders, gulls, terns, skuas, rollers & localised forest birds. The focus of the trip is, of course, the birds, but there is a fine selection of other wildlife to enjoy too. We will also be looking out for Green Vervet & Western Red Colobus Monkey, Fruit Bats, Nile Monitor, Rainbow Lizard and others. Join us for this fine introduction to African birding. You can expect around 220-260 species and you will be guided by Marcus Nash for this tour.

Our main destination for the morning will be nearby Kotu stream and fields where a huge variety of species can be seen just a short distance from our hotel. Senegal Thick-knee, Pied and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, a variety of waders and herons and raptors might be seen. The adjacent Kotu Cycle Track covers a range of habitats and starts to get you familiar with a range of the local birds such as Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Western Reef and Striated Herons, Intermediate Egret, Hooded Vulture and Pearl – spotted Owlet while Blue-cheeked and Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters raid the skies above for insects. Shorebirds are a feature of the marshy pools occasionally  there is a chance for Painted Snipe. Lizard Buzzard, African Harrier-Hawk, Abyssinian and Broad- billed Rollers should all feature during the day here. A walk back along the cycle track could add Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow Billed Shrike, Green Wood Hoopoe, Northern Crombec, African Jacana, Piapiac and Senegal Coucal amongst others. In the late afternoon we will try the golf course area, where sometimes we can find Black-headed Lapwing and where the rare Golden-tailed Woodpecker sometimes occurs. We return to the hotel to enjoy a well earned beer after an exciting first day in The Gambia!   

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The Gambia – Up-river & Coast with Egyptian Plover

The Gambia – Up-river & Coast with Egyptian Plover

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Oriole Birding is a UK based birdwatching tour company specialising in small group holidays throughout the UK and to over 30 countries worldwide

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A day on the Moray coast for our Speyside tour and great views (honest!) of 3 White-billed Divers off Portsoy this morning were the highlight. Two full summery adults and a moulting/subadult bird were about 800m off the harbour mouth. Blog: https://www.oriolebirding.com/birdingdiary/

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Gambia Bird Guides

To book a tour guide contact YaYa Barry via +2205013137 or [email protected]

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- Experience the incredible wildlife of the Smiling Coast -

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What Makes Our Guided Birdwatching Tours Special

Why the gambia.

The Gambia is the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys relaxing in glorious sunshine. Less than 6 hours away from UK and mainland Europe, The Gambia hosts over 600 different species of birds. 

Why Birdwatching?

Birdwatching has been scientifically proven to have many benefits including physical, emotional, mental health, cognitive, social, environmental, spiritual  and personal relationships.

Why Our Tours ?

Gambia Birdwatching Tours are run by Gambia's best birding guide, YaYa Barry, and his team.  Officially recognised by Gambia's Ministry of Tourism, YaYa oversees the management of several of The Gambia's bird reserves.

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Take an official guided birding tour of The Gambia to see hundreds of incredible species.

Prices from £100.

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TESTIMONIALS

" I have known Yaya for about 20 years. His knowledge about Gambia and Senegal birds is phenomenal. The bird life in the grounds where he lives, when seen from the lodge, can keep any ornithologist occupied for hours. Yaya's trips around Gambia and into Senegal are enthralling as he knows where numerous bird and animal species can be located off the beaten track. He certainly looks after his groups of naturalists which have booked trips with him. "

Gordon Simpson MBE, BA, BSc.

United Kingdom

Yaya is an excellent birder and a well respected member of his community. I birdied with Yaya in 2020 for three weeks. During that time he demonstrated extreme patience in helping every one locate and get a good view of the birds. He was also very adept at navigating the borders between Senegal and Gambia. Yaya’s English is excellent and he is very personable. Therefore, I would highly recommend him as a guide.

Kathy Baker Canada

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Bird Watching

Discover gambian birds, bird watchi ng in gamb ia, with suwai bou gassa ma (pa blo).

birding tours gambia

Bird Watching in the republic of Gambia

Gambia bird watching tour guide.

With over 600 species of birds Gambia is the bird watchers paradise.

Why Gambia is the perfect place for bird watchers. Despite the increase in human population growth over the past few decades and the widespread habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity typical of so many African countries, Senegal and Gambia still hold a remarkable and diverse avifauna which attracts large numbers of birds.

The two countries Sengal and Gambia are often collectively known as Senegambia and they have a combined bird list of over six hundred species. This compromises of birds from Afrotropical residents, migrants and species of Palearctic origin. Over 30 of these bird species are of global conservation concern which ranges from critically endangered to threatened.

Lying immediately south of the Sahara, Senegal and Gambia is particularly important as a stop over and wintering place for migrant birds after their crossing of the desert. The many coastal and inland wetlands attract large numbers of Palearctic and inter African water birds whilst the dry and seemingly poor but actually complex Sahel ecosystem provides food and shelter for a multitude of Palearctic passerine birds throughout the northern winter months coinciding with the regions dry seasons off shore. Seabird passage can be very impressive throughout Gambia.

Places where you can go Birdwatching in Gambia

Farasutu Forest This is a community forest sited at the eastern part of The Gambia and is 35km away from the hotel area. This is a gallery forest and behind the forest are mangroves with fresh water pools and farm lands outside the forest. In Farasutu Forest species expected to be seen are: African wood Owl, Greyish eagle owl, Sported Honey guide, Lesser Honey guide, White backed night heron, long tailed nightjar, Standard winged nightjar and many more.

Brufurt Woods Protected by WASBA with the collaboration of the Brufurt community. This place is a favourite with birdwatchers. It is a quiet and open area of woodland it is easy to observe birds. Expected species to be seen are: Green Turaco, Splendid sunbird, Yellow White eye, White Faced Scops Owl, Long Tailed nightjar, Verreaux Eagle Owl, and many more.

Kotu Bridge and Surrounding Cycle track This is another birding site which is located in Kotu . It has lots of beautiful birds along its length and has provided many birdwatchers with new species for their life list of species. Expected species to be seen are: Beautiful Sunbird, Pearl Spotted Owlet, Greater Painted Stripe, Sacred Ibis, Common Sandpiper, Black Winged Stilt and many more.

Fajara Golf Course This is a very good birding spot. There is a range of habitats from open area to central scrubs and a few patches of woodland. The course lies alongside the Kotu stream which passes beneath the road at Kotu Bridge before it empties into the sea. Kotu Streams is one of the first places where bird watchers normally visit in The Gambia. The birds expected to be seen here are: Doubled Spurred Falcon, Black Headed Plover, Fork Tailed Drongo, Violet Turaco and many more.

Kotu Pond Kotu Pond is an open sewage pit an unlikely place to see birds but the surrounding open woodland can be reached along a sandy track and the birds that can be seen at the ponds are amazing. You can view the birds at close distance. The species that can be seen here are: Giant King Fisher, Blue Breasted Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Yellow wagtail, Black Egret, Western Reef Heron, Blue Belled Roller. Pearl Sported Owlet, African Spoonbill, Black Crake, African Jacana and many more.

Lamin Lodge This is a place that you can stay and get a close view of the birds. You can take a boat ride to explore the mangroves that make up the Tambi Wetlands. Here there is also an Oyster factory. Some of the species of birds you can see here are: Osprey Eagle, Caspian Tern, Grey Headed Gull, Pink Backed Pelican and many more.

Makasutu Culture Forest This Forest is a 1000 hectare reserve and one of the finest eco-tourism areas in The Gambia. It lies near the town of Birkama. It is to be found on the banks of the tranquil Mandina Bolong. Bolong is the Mandinka name for river. The whole area contains different ecosystems and habitats so it is home to many species of birds and butterflies as well as monkeys, Baboons, Monitor Lizards and Nile Crocodiles. The word Makasutu means Holy Forest.

TOURS AND PRICE

Half Day Birdwatching trip  will  cost £60

Full Day Birdwatching trip will cost £90

An overnight Birdwatching trip to Tendaba which includes food, the night stay and a boat trip will cost  £200 

Non Birdwatching trips such as See All 7 sights in 1 day tour of the coast of Gambia , including the Monkey park, Crocodile pool. Tanji fishing village, Paradise Beach and Brikama Craft market will cost £80 per person.

Trip to Fathtala Wildlife Park in Senegal to see Zebra, Giraffe, Antelope, Rhino and Buffalo will cost £150 per person.

email me to book any of these trips on the email address below or whatsapp me. Suwaibou Gassama (Pablo)

birding tours gambia

About Pablo

My name is Suwaibou Gassama but you can call me Pablo I am an official Birdwatching guide. I trained with the Gambian Birdwatchers association. I trained in the Farasutu Forest where I was a ranger for 5 years. I am able to speak several different languages. I speak very good English. I also speak some Dutch and different local languages.

Bird Watching Tanji Nature Reserve

Bird Watching Tours

Tanji Nature Reserve Tour This is a bird reserve in The Gambia. It is also known as Karinti the Tanji River Reserve or the Tanji National Park.

It was established in 1993 together with Bijol island it is situated along the Atlantic coast. It has accommodation if you want to stay there. It is a great place to go bird watching.

Gambian Kingfisher

Bird Watching Guide

I am able to take you to different places to see the many different birds that we have here in Gambia. I have been bird watching since my childhood and have been doing birding  tours for over 8 years now. I am based in the Kotu area. Please contact me to discuss tours and prices. Contact details are +220 750 1429 I am on WhatsApp, messenger or call.

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Republic of Gambia Tours

Contact Pablo – Bird Guide

For bird watching tours please contact Pablo.

WhatsApp, call or message me on +220 750 1429 or email [email protected]

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FATOU TOURS GAMBIA / CAR RENTAL

Day tours / all inclusive private tours  //the specialist of birdwatching in gambia, experience the gambia & senegal as never before.

birding tours gambia

THE specialist

In customised all inclusive trips, email us .....

and together we create your perfect all-in birding trip : [email protected]

Travel in style !!!!

we use our perfect own buses and vans

Experienced guides & drivers !!!!

We let you experience the gambia with our experienced guides and drivers, enjoy your relaxing holiday, and we arrange some easy birding completely how you wish, all inclusive.

between pick up and return to the airport we arrange EVERYTHING !!!! Absolutely ALL inclusive

!!!!!!!See our 5 star reviews at Tripadvisor !!!!!!!

Your tour  , all trips can be customised as you want it : itenerary, number of days, pro-birding or easy-birding, and so on , most booked trips in 2022, 1.chimps/hippos trip, one night, 2 days, 2. upcountry the gambia birding 7 days, all inclusive, 3. birding the gambia 5 days, all inclusive, 4. day trip coastal gambia, 1 day, several destinations, 5. one day birding kotu creek, all tours, all gambia/senegal, birding, sightseeing, cultural., half-day, day, multiple-days.

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See also our blog

https://birdingblog.fatoutoursgambia.com , for some great  pictures

Day-trips, Long trips & Car Rental

WE organize, YOU take the pics

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fatou senghore 002203258498

foday bojang    002207788261

fatou tours gambia

Birding Gambia with Fatou Tours, completely organized tours as you want it, from half day to 21 days, birding or sightseeing.

GAMBIA BIRDING AND TOURING with Fatou Tours, specialist of all inclusive trips

  • on tour in Gambia & Senegal with Fatou Senghore birding & photographing tours, from one day till 2 weeks long professional tours
  • Gambia, home of 9 different kingfishers African pygmy kingfisher, at our hide in Pirang Forest
  • WE organize, YOU take the pics Goliath Heron, the biggest heron
  • Blue breasted kingfisher to see on all our tours
  • Gabar Goshawk black Gabar goshawk, sooo close during several minutes
  • Fathala Park, Senegal one day tour to a spectacular park
  • 4 x 4, birding in Fathala Park all tours with our cars, but Fathala only to visit with their 4x4
  • Tanji Fish Market arrival of the boats in the afternoon
  • Discover the real Gambia and meet the friendly & smiling Gambians 
  • The always busy markets experience the real Gambia
  • Cattle Egret breakfast

Hello guys, my name is fatou and I am a professional birding and touring guide in The Gambia. Together with my colleague foday bojang I have my own company Fatou Tours Gambia. Our tours - from 1/2 day till 15 days - are completely organized ( lodges, transport, food, itinerary). We are specialized in personalizing our standard tours as the customer wants so that he can make HIS tour. For all info and contacts  see www.fatoutoursgambia.com,  and if any question , just let know and contact us.

After contact we will create together with you YOUR perfect tours as you wish it : number of days, itinerary, lodges, birding activities, relaxing moments and so on. This at great prices because we have longtime contacts with the lodges, we work with our own cars/busses and this is our own company.

On the next page you find information about 9 of our tours, more information on www.fatoutoursgambia.com  . This month our most booked tour is the famous 2 days tour to the mammals, hypos, chimps, wassu stones !!!!!!!

Thanks for your visit and see you soon ,

  Fatou Senghore, Foday Bojang

from 1/2 day to 15 days

With tours from 1/2 day to 15 days you can organize your Gambian holiday as you wish.

Staying in hotel and relaxing at swimming pool but now and then doing a day tour for birding and to explore the real smiling Gambia. Or do longer tour from several days to 15 days with great lodges up country, discovering all the great birding hotspots and see from close by the real gambia with his little villages and compounds and the so many smiling and enthusiastic children.

 Of course we also can visit cultural hotspots as the slave island Kunta Kinteh, Wassu Stone Circles and the historic Georgetown.

Let's make together the tour as you wish it !!! for all info see www.fatoutoursgambia.com  

On Tour Pictures : hippo during boat trip, breakfast with blue-breasted kingfisher

The gambia, with fatou tours......(click on pic for text), hippos & chimps.

3 Aug 2023 09:00

The most popular tour of 2022 was the 2 days, 1 night trip to Kuntaur to doa private boat trip to see hippos and chimps from close-by. Great trip, discovering

From swimming pool to drinking bowl

2 Aug 2022 09:48

Hello, holiday, relaxing in and around the hotel, great ! But you see and hear  the beautiful birds in the hotel, and so you decide to organize a birding day. Not much driving, just close to the hotel, around Banjul, around the coast. Just contact us and we pick you up. Before or after breakfast, just choose. There are lots of great birding spots close to the hotel area of Senegambia. The most famous is of course Kotu Creek with his many many birds and that fantastic one hour boat trip. But there is so much more than Kotu Creek : Abuko Nature Reserve, Lamin Lodge, Brufut Woods,  Farasutu , Tanji bird reserve, Monkey Park (.not only monkeys), and so on.  So, the colorful bee-eaters,  kingfishers and rollers - picture the Abyssinian roller - are waiting for you.  And : don't forget you camera with a FULLY charged battery.  Contact  www.fatoutoursgambia.com, or +220 325 84 98 ( fatou) or +220 778 82 61. (Foday)

About our tours

2 Aug 2022 00:32

Hello, on www.fatoutoursgambia.com you find all info about our tours. Tours from a half day till 15 days These are our standard tours, but the itineraries of these tours are often changed. All tours can be personalized as the customers wants its : numbers of days, how many hours birding each day, relaxing days, and so on. To write it very simple : let's do THE TOUR OF THE CUSTOMER. For every tour we will pick up the customer : when he is already staying in The Gambia at his hotel, when he is arriving we will be at the airport. Lodging, transport - with our own cars - food, everything is arranged and booked. WE organize, THE CUSTOMER takes the pics. See you, here or at www.fatoutoursgambia.com or at Facebook !

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The Gambia: Gateway to Africa Tour

Go to: Gambia Birding Tours | Birding Tours in Africa | All our birding tours

Dates and Costs:

28 November – 07 December 2024

Price: €2,733 / £2,474 / $3,060 per person sharing, based on 4-8 participants.

Single Supplement: €186 / £168 / $208.

* Please note that currency conversion is calculated in real-time, therefore is subject to slight change. Please refer back to base price when making final payments.

Recommended Field Guide

(Please also read our blogs about recommended field   guides for the seven continents here )

Tour Details

Duration : 10 days Group Size : 4 – 8 Tour Start : Banjul International Airport, Banjul, The Gambia Tour End : Banjul International Airport, Banjul, The Gambia

Price includes:

All accommodation (Day 1 until Day 9 as described above, or similar) Meals (from lunch on Day 1 until breakfast on Day 10) Drinking water – please bring a refillable water bottle Expert tour leader Local bird and wildlife guide fees Birdwatching site entrance fees (including all national park fees) and travel permits Boat trips as referred to in itinerary All ground transport and tolls/taxes while on tour, including airport pick-up and drop-off

Price excludes:

Flights to and from Banjul International Airport, Banjul, The Gambia Expenditures due to flight cancellations/delays or other causes beyond our control (force majeure)  Visa fees if visa required Departure tax Items of a personal nature, e.g. gifts, laundry, internet access, phone calls etc. Any pre- or post-tour accommodation, meals, or birding/sightseeing excursions Soft/alcoholic drinks Personal travel insurance Gratuities (please see our tipping guidelines blog )

The Gambia: Gateway to Africa Tour November-December 2024

Please kindly note that we are changing this itinerary and the price will likely change too. until our work on this is complete, please consider this itinerary a rough guide. the senegal tour will become a senegal-only tour without time in the gambia..

The Gambia is Africa’s smallest mainland country and is located between the Sahel transition zone and the subtropics of West Africa . Despite its small size, the diversity and number of birds and the array of wildlife on offer is rather staggering and is a huge draw. The country also has a long-established tourist infrastructure, is safe, and full of very friendly people. Its huge range of birds and long history of tourism makes the country an ideal place for an introduction to the wonderful African continent. Its small size means that the country can be covered well during a short period. Our small group tour will give you a great opportunity to explore this exciting country, with a seemingly endless list of birding highlights.

Gambia birding tours

Following International Ornithological Congress (IOC) taxonomy (v11.1 in May 2021), The Gambia has an impressive bird list of 620 species , which is made up of a wide range of tropical African species and, during the northern winter (when our tour is timed), a mix of Western Palearctic migrants. Two of the most highly sought-after resident species include Egyptian Plover and Hamerkop , both are monotypic families and possible on this tour.

We will visit a range of interesting locations during the tour, that are both easy to bird, but are also capable of springing an exciting surprise or two. During the tour we will also visit several Important Bird Areas (IBAs), sites that have been identified as being particularly important for birds, including Allahein to Kartong Coast IBA , Jakhaly rice-fields IBA , Kiang West National Park IBA , Pirang Forest Park , and Tanji River (Karinti) Bird Reserve .

Gambia birding tours

Something that will be new (and exciting!) to visitors is the abundance of birds in and around the Senegambia Hotel, our base for much of the tour. This modern hotel has all the facilities any visitor could ask for, plus beautiful, safe grounds that have recorded over 200 bird species. A walk around the gardens should give us at least 50 species during our visit and we can also take in the excellent and informative daily vulture feeding, where scores of the Critically Endangered ( BirdLife International ) Hooded Vulture come down to feed.

From our hotel we will explore a range of coastal sites nearby, before spreading our wings further afield to more remote coastal locations. We will then take a four-day journey upriver to the heart of The Gambia. Here we will see traditional African villages and come across birds that are not present near the coast. This is The Gambia in its truest form, and away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, it is a peaceful country. Regardless of where we go, we will meet friendly, welcoming people who also contribute to a wonderful visit to this tiny part of Africa.

Gambia birding tours

The list of species we can hope to see on this tour is huge. We will get to see a wide range of shorebirds (waders), birds of prey, herons, egrets, pelicans, rollers, bee-eaters, kingfishers, sunbirds, warblers, glossy starlings, hornbills, finches, barbets, and so much more, including highly sought-after African species like African Finfoot , Egyptian Plover , Black Crowned Crane , Goliath Heron , Abyssinian Ground Hornbill , Guinea and Violet Turacos , Blue-bellied Roller , Red-throated Bee-eater , Northern Carmine Bee-eater , and Oriole Warbler .

We are confident you will thoroughly enjoy this birdwatching tour of The Gambia whether it is your first visit to Africa or your first to West Africa. We are also sure that if you love birding in Africa and have been to the amazing continent many times, that you will also get a lot out of this fabulous tour and you could also extend your time in West Africa by joining our Senegal: West African Wildlife Adventure . Our exciting 13-day tour to neighboring Senegal follows on immediately after this tour and covers a large part of this under-visited country and is a real adventure into the wilderness. Some of the highlight species we will target on that trip include Arabian Bustard , Savile’s Bustard , Scissor-tailed Kite , River Prinia , Golden Nightjar , Sennar Penduline Tit , Cricket Warbler , White-crowned Lapwing , Adamawa Turtle Dove , Black Coucal , Little Grey Woodpecker , Quail-plover , Red-throated Bee-eater , Neumann’s Starling , Pied-winged Swallow , Egyptian Plover , White-crested Tiger Heron , and Mali Firefinch , just to name a few goodies!

Itinerary (10 days/9 nights)

Day 1. arrival in banjul, transfer to senegambia beach hotel.

Welcome to The Gambia! Those of you from northern latitudes will know you are somewhere exotic and exciting as the instant heat hits when you step off the plane. You will be met at the airport by your Birding Ecotours tour leader and local Gambian birding guide. From here we will transfer you to The Gambia’s most popular, and very comfortable hotel, The Senegambia Beach Hotel. After your long flight we would recommend relaxing, either by the numerous pools and bars, or in your room if you prefer to escape the heat for a while (though we know you will find it hard to resist getting started on the birding off your balcony as soon as you arrive!).

Gambia birding tours

We will be spending the next five nights at this fabulous hotel and its grounds are famous for being home to a whole host of magnificent and often shockingly colorful bird species. You are of course welcome to explore at your leisure, but both of your guides will be on hand to give you a fully guided tour of the grounds during the afternoon. This is a great chance for you to get familiar with the more common species found on the coast of The Gambia. Species found here include Hooded Vulture (this species, along with many other vultures from around the world is now deemed Critically Endangered by BirdLife International), and other species possible include Green Wood Hoopoe , African Grey Hornbill , Western Red-billed Hornbill , Broad-billed Roller , Bearded Barbet , Yellow-crowned Gonolek , Oriole Warbler , Long-tailed Glossy Starling , Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat , Beautiful Sunbird , Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu , Western Plantain-eater , Yellow-billed Shrike , plus much more. There are great photo opportunities here too!

Gambia birding tours

It is also worth looking out for European migrant species around the garden, many of which overwinter in The Gambia. Such species can include Black Kite , Common Swift , Pallid Swift , Common Chiffchaff , and Western Olivaceous Warbler , while off the hotels private beach Pomarine Jaeger (Skua), Grey-headed Gull , Caspian Tern , Sandwich Tern , West African Crested Tern , Common Tern , and Lesser Crested Tern can regularly be seen.

In the evening we will meet to discuss the exciting trip ahead and enjoy the wonderful food of the Senegambia which has an incredible variety of culinary offerings from The Gambia and further afield. We will also use this time to answer any questions and cater to any needs you may have. We will also carry out the first of our nightly checklist sessions where we will go through all of the sightings from the afternoon. We will do checklist sessions each night as well as provide eBird checklists for everyone who wants them, so you can spend more time concentrating on the birds!

Overnight: Senegambia Beach Hotel

Day 2. Birding Brufut Forest and Tanji Bird Reserve

We will begin our first full day in The Gambia with an early start at Brufut Forest, a small area of woodland and scrub about 30 minutes south of our hotel. This is one of many very productive coastal sites we will visit and Brufut is a great location to get to grips with the more common Gambian bird species, but also some rarer birds and Western Palearctic migrants.

Many of the more common species will be ones mentioned above that we should also be able to find around our hotel, but there will be plenty of new species to enjoy. The most striking species to be found here include African Green Pigeon , Guinea Turaco , Violet Turaco , African Golden Oriole , Orange-breasted Bushshrike , Long-tailed Glossy Starling , Swallow-tailed Bee-eater , Broad-billed Roller , Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher , Splendid Sunbird , and Lavender Waxbill .

Gambia birding tours

As with most areas of woodland on the coast, birds of prey and owls will also be a key feature, with species like Black-winged Kite , Hooded Vulture , Shikra , Black Kite , Lanner Falcon , Lizard Buzzard , Palm-nut Vulture , Northern White-faced Owl , and Pearl-spotted Owlet all being frequently recorded here.

After spending the morning at Brufut we will move to the coast and visit Tanji Bird Reserve. This area of coastal woodland, scrub, and sandy beach supports a huge number of bird species and it is easy to add another 50-70 species during a short visit here!

Western Palearctic shorebirds (waders) will be the main feature here with Common Ringed Plover , Little Ringed Plover , Eurasian Whimbrel , Bar-tailed Godwit , Ruddy Turnstone , Common Greenshank , and Common Redshank all being regular here. Gulls and terns are also a large part of the Tanji reserve experience, attracted by the nearby Tanji open air fish market, with Grey-headed Gull , Lesser Black-backed Gull , Caspian Tern , Common Tern , Sandwich Tern , Lesser Crested Tern , and West African Crested Tern (a recent split from Royal Tern) likely to all be present.

Away from the beach we will explore the low coastal scrub, dunes, and coastal forest. Here we should come across many of the species we saw this morning and several new species. More open areas can hold Stone Partridge , Four-banded Sandgrouse , Pied Crow , Northern Grey-headed Sparrow , and a range of Estrildid finches (waxbills, munias, and allies) including Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu , Red-billed Firefinch , and Bronze Mannikin . Large flocks of Village Weaver should also be present in the area and these can be joined by the smaller and rarer Little Weaver .

This coastal scrub is also a superb migrant trap and several wintering species from the Western Palearctic can be found here including Melodious Warbler , Western Olivaceous Warbler , Willow Warbler , Western Subalpine Warbler , Woodchat Shrike , and Common Nightingale and in the neighboring coastal forest, we will search for an exciting range of species including Blue-bellied Roller , Bearded Barbe t, Buff-spotted Woodpecker , Yellow-crowned Gonolek , Blackcap Babbler , Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat , and several species of sunbirds, including Variable Sunbird and Splendid Sunbird .

As with every day on the coast we will return to the Senegambia hotel to cool down by the pool (or watching/photographing birds in the garden) and go through the daily species list.

Gambia birding tours

Day 3. Birding Marakissa Wood, River Camp, and Penyem Woods

Today we will take an hour drive south to Marakissa, close to the border with Senegal, where we will spend the whole day birding. The habitat here is different from our first couple of days birding, with mangroves, river channels, and more dense sub-tropical forest. We will begin at Marakissa Wood, a fragment of the sub-tropical forest which previously covered this whole area. Forest birding is (as usual) a challenge, but the rewards can be high and Marakissa holds some superb species, including Greater Honeyguide , Spotted Honeyguide , Northern Puffback , Violet Turaco , Fine-spotted Woodpecker , African Pied Hornbill , African Grey Hornbill , Northern Crombec , and the fantastically named Grey-backed Camaroptera , and Tawny-flanked Prinia .

Marakissa is also well known for supporting a wide range of birds of prey including Hooded Vulture , Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle , Western Banded Snake Eagle , Wahlberg’s Eagle , Tawny Eagle , Yellow-billed Kite , African Harrier-Hawk , Lizard Buzzard , Dark Chanting Goshawk , Grey Kestrel , and Red-necked Falcon and we will constantly be on the lookout for all of the above.

There are many great wetlands, and therefore fantastic wetland birding, around Marakissa, and these can hold a wide range of species associated with this habitat. Standout species here include Black Crake , Giant Kingfisher , Striated Heron , Hamerkop (a unique, monotypic family), Dwarf Bittern , and Black-headed Heron , while the neighboring open areas hold good numbers of Abyssinian Roller , Blue-bellied Roller (a stunner!), Senegal Parrot , Yellow-billed Shrike , Piapiac , numerous sunbirds and flocks of Estrildid finches.

After an action-packed morning birding session we will have lunch at the Marakissa River Camp. One of the many great parts of visiting The Gambia is being constantly surrounded by birds, and lunch here is no exception. Exploring the area around the river camp should give us a wide range of herons and egrets, including Great Egret , Intermediate Egret , Little Egret , Black Heron , Western Cattle Egret , and Squacco Heron .

Gambia birding tours

The campgrounds could also give us new species for our tour, such as White-faced Whistling Duck , Spur-winged Lapwing , African Darter , Reed Cormorant , Palm-nut Vulture , Red-chested Goshawk , Green Wood Hoopoe , Grey-headed Kingfisher , Singing Cisticola , Purple Starling , Northern Black Flycatcher , White-billed Buffalo Weaver , and much more.

After lunch, we will head to the nearby Penjem Woods. The habitat here is similar to Marakissa Woods, so is more of an insurance policy in case we missed any of the key species in the morning. However, it is an excellent area, and some new species could be possible here, like Double-spurred Spurfowl , African Palm Swift , Black Scimitarbill , African Pygmy Kingfisher , Woodland Kingfisher , Copper Sunbird , Levaillant’s Cuckoo , Gabar Goshawk , and Yellow-bellied Hyliota .

Gambia birding tours

Day 4. Birding Kartong and Berending Woods

Today we will explore the area around the amazing Kartong Bird Observatory, around a one-hour drive south of our hotel. This expansive site is a mixture of scrub, dunes, low level forest, and sub-tropical forest all bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the border with Senegal. It is a hugely productive area and a week at the site can easily yield over 200 species. Despite only having a day here, we should still have no problem recording a great range of exciting birds, with 100 species during our birding session a very achievable target. Due to the huge species list we have summarized the more frequently found species, but it is a site where literally anything can be found.

Depending on the water level, shorebirds (waders) from the Western Palearctic can be present here in significant numbers on the beach and nearby pools. Species that are regular at Kartong include Black-winged Stilt , Grey Plover , Little Ringed Plover , Eurasian Whimbrel , Bar-tailed Godwit , Black-tailed Godwit , Red Knot , Sanderling , Ruddy Turnstone , Common Sandpiper , Common Greenshank , and Wood Sandpiper .

Migratory passerines are also present here with Woodchat Shrike , Western Olivaceous Warbler , Melodious Warbler , Willow Warbler , Common Chiffchaff , Western Subalpine Warbler , Common Whitethroat , Common Nightingale , Western Yellow Wagtail , White Wagtail , Crested Lark , and Western Bonelli’s Warbler being the most numerous species.

Gambia birding tours

African species that we may not have come across so far, but are often found at Kartong, include Spur-winged Goose , African Pygmy Goose , Greater Painted-snipe , Woolly-necked Stork , African Swamphen , Namaqua Dove , Pink-backed Pelican , Black-headed Heron , Striped Kingfisher , Brubru , Oriole Warbler , Whistling Cisticola , Yellow-billed Oxpecker , Red-billed Quelea , Northern Red Bishop , Orange-cheeked Waxbill , and Plain-backed Pipit .

Kartong also has its own star species, with the beach area being a breeding site for White-fronted Plover , a shorebird species right at the northern edge of its range in The Gambia.

Day 5. Birding Farasutu Forest and Pirang Forest

Our final day of near-coastal birding will see us visit two areas of forest a few miles into the interior of the country. We will start early to spend the morning at Farasutu Forest, which is one of the best sites on the coast to see Greyish Eagle-Owl , Spotted Honeyguide , Orange-breasted Bushshrike , Orange-cheeked Waxbill , Senegal Thick-knee , Bar-breasted Firefinch , Giant Kingfisher , White-backed Night Heron , and Green-headed Sunbird .

Other highly desirable species seen here can include Hamerkop , Martial Eagle , Great Spotted Cuckoo , Northern White-faced Owl , Long-tailed Nightjar , African Pygmy Kingfisher , Levaillant’s Cuckoo , African Green Pigeon , White-throated Bee-eater , Brown-throated Wattle-eye , and White-crested Helmetshrike .

Gambia birding tours

During the afternoon we will visit the nearby Pirang Forest and fishponds. The species list on offer here is vast, with a huge range of shorebirds (waders), waterbirds, birds of prey, hornbills, pigeons, doves, swifts, bee-eaters, rollers, and passerines occurring, with some visits to the fishponds seeing over 100 species in one day.

There will be many species that we will be familiar with by now, but new offerings could include Double-spurred Spurfowl , Namaqua Dove, Bruce’s Green Pigeon , Standard-winged Nightjar , Marsh Sandpiper , Slender-billed Gull , Yellow-billed Stork , Glossy-backed Drongo , Northern Yellow White-eye , Scarlet-chested Sunbird , and Quailfinch .

Day 6. Transfer to Tendaba Camp, birding en route

Today we leave the coast for a few days and begin the journey to the interior of The Gambia. We will travel along the south bank road as far as Tendaba, a village 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the coast and one of The Gambia’s most famous birding locations.

The open areas en route are popular for birds, with species like Helmeted Guineafowl , Stone Partridge , Double-spurred Spurfowl , Four-banded Sandgrouse , Diederik Cuckoo , and Dark Chanting Goshawk possible. A tributary of the Gambia River near the start of our journey will give us more views of wetland birds, with interesting species like African Wattled Lapwing , Greater Painted-snipe , Little Stint , Dwarf Bittern , Striated Heron , and the rare Kittlitz’s Plover all possible here, and we will search nearby forests for the elusive but beautiful White-spotted Flufftail , a highly desired species.

Further into our journey we will pass close to the border with Senegal. This is one of the best areas in the western part of The Gambia to spot raptors, and species here can include African Harrier-Hawk , Hooded Vulture , White-backed Vulture , Griffon Vulture , Rüppell’s Vulture , Bateleur , Wahlberg’s Eagle , Tawny Eagle , Lizard Buzzard , Grasshopper Buzzard , Black Kite , and Lanner Falcon .

Gambia birding tours

We will then turn north back towards the Gambia River where we will stop to explore the Kiang West National Park. This is another chance to get familiar with many of the species we have seen previously and the national park is home to several species that are harder to find on the coast, these can include Brown Snake Eagle , Black Scimitarbill , Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver , Sahel Bush Sparrow , and Brown-rumped Bunting .

Finally, we will arrive at Tendaba. This camp alongside the Gambia River, and its surrounding habitat, is home to a huge range of species, with far too many to list here. However, the star of this part of The Gambia is the beautiful Egyptian Plover . This shorebird is a monotypic family and is highly prized, and we will spend plenty of time looking for it while birding in the area.

Other interesting species around Tendaba include African Pygmy Goose , European Honey Buzzard , African Fish Eagle , Gabar Goshawk , Long-crested Eagle , African Hobby , Abyssinian Ground Hornbill , Bruce’s Green Pigeon , Guinea Turaco , Violet Turaco , Standard-winged Nightjar , Grey-headed Kingfisher , Woodland Kingfisher , Brown-backed Woodpecker , and much more.

Overnight: Tendaba Camp

Days 7 – 8. Transfer to Janjangbureh and Birding Janjangbureh

We will continue east along the Gambia River and further into the heartland of this amazing country, once again stopping en route to enjoy the birds of the interior.

A small tributary near the village of Soma will be our first stop, where we should come across numerous exciting species. Once again, this is another opportunity to look for species we may have missed previously, or gain repeat views of others, with potential species including Spotted Thick-knee , Hadada Ibis , Egyptian Plover , Hamerkop , Black Heron , Rüppell’s Vulture , Bateleur , Black Crowned Crane , Bronze-winged Courser , Northern Carmine Bee-eater , Black Coucal , and others. Continuing east we will explore more wetlands on the banks of the Gambia River where key species include African Pygmy Goose , Marabou Stork , Montagu’s Harrier , African Fish Eagle , and Red-necked Falcon .

Gambia birding tours

We will aim to reach Janjangbureh by the afternoon where we can immediately begin exploring yet another fantastic birding area. Many of the inland species will be familiar to us by now but there is always a chance of a surprise in this area. The habitat is a mixture of lush riverside forest, mangroves, and interspersed open areas, meaning that the species variety is high here.

Key species we will look for include Egyptian Plover , African Fish Eagle , African Finfoot , Swamp Flycatcher , Green Bee-eater , and Red-throated Bee-eater , plus numerous species of bird of prey.

Gambia birding tours

The following morning, we will enjoy a boat trip from Janjangbureh along the Gambia River. This is a great way to spot a great many species and get close-up views of birds like Goliath Heron , Giant Kingfisher , Grey-headed Kingfisher , Blue-breasted Kingfisher , African Darter , Spur-winged Lapwing , Striated Heron , and birds of prey over the river including Palm-nut Vulture , White-backed Vulture , and Western Banded Snake Eagle .

Around Janjangbureh we will have a chance to look for some of The Gambia’s large mammals and reptiles. Species in the area can include Aardvark , Guinea Baboon , Crested Porcupine , African Dwarf Crocodile , Nile Monitor , and Hippopotamus .

Overnight: Janjangbureh Camp (Two nights)

Day 9. Transfer back to Banjul, birding en route

After a morning of birding around Janjangbureh we will depart westwards and retrace our steps along the south bank of the Gambia River. We will use this drive to look for improved views of any key species.

Once we arrive back for a final night at the wonderful Senegambia Beach Hotel, we will have time to relax or explore the grounds of the hotel one last time. We will then have our final dinner in The Gambia and use this time to go through the extensive list of species we have seen, and choose our bird of the trip, no easy task with so many wonderful species on offer.

Gambia birding tours

Day 10. Departure

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this morning, after a final local birding session, we will transfer to Banjul International Airport for your flight home. Those of you that are continuing with our Senegal: West African Wildlife Adventure Tour may stay in the hotel and explore the grounds or relax by the pool.

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes must use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

Gambia birding tours

Black-faced Firefinch

Gambia birding tours

Egyptian Plover

Gambia birding tours

Bearded Barbet

Gambia birding tours

Scissor-tailed Kite

Gambia birding tours

African Finfoot

Gambia birding tours

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Gambia birding tours

Cricket Warbler

Gambia birding tours

Pel's Fishing Owl

Gambia birding tours

Saddle-billed Stork

Gambia birding tours

Northern Carmine Bee-eater

Gambia birding tours

Palm-nut Vulture

Gambia birding tours

Broad-billed Roller

Gambia birding tours

Yellow-crowned Gonolek

Map of birding tour in The Gambia: Gateway to Africa Tour November-December 2024

During our small group tour, you will be driven by your guide in a comfortable vehicle. This tour does involve some longer walks but these will be on flat, firm ground, except for some sites where the ground may be sandy.

Throughout the coastal part of our tour, we will stay in the wonderful Senegambia Beach Hotel. This hotel is as good as hotels get, even by Western standards and features every facility you could want. The grounds of this hotel have also recorded over 200 bird species so serve as a great way to get to grips with the more common African species. They also feed the resident Hooded Vultures at 2pm every day which makes for a great spectacle (of what is now a Critically Endangered species).

Temperatures during our tour will be hot to very hot. In coastal areas, day temperatures are typically 86 – 95F (30 – 35C), falling, eventually, to around 70F (21C) at night. Humidity is generally low unless we encounter an overcast day where the temperature will be lower but significantly more humid. Our visit to upriver areas will see the temperatures climb further where we can expect 95 – 104F (36 – 40C), falling, eventually, to around 75F (24C) at night.

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Aerial View of Green Mangrove Forest. Nature Landscape. Amazon River. Amazon Rainforest. S

DISCOVER THE BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA AND SENEGAL IN AN UNFORGETTABLE ROUNDTRIP

DÉCOUVREZ LA BEAUTÉ ET LA DIVERSITÉ DE LA GAMBIE ET DU SÉNÉGAL LORS D'UN VOYAGE ALLER-RETOUR INOUBLIABLE

Senegambia Birding organises affordable group tours, individual tours and excursions for photographers, bird watchers and nature lovers. Book in confidence, and let our professional team guide you through the smiling c oast of Africa.

Our photography trips are guided by experts and welcome photographers of any level of experience or equipment. We are affiliated with the Gambia Bird Watchers Association (BWA) and the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB)

Rather have a tailor-made trip? Let us know what you are looking for and we will make you a travel proposal.

Not sure which period is best for you to travel to The Gambia? Click here fo r an overview.

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MANDINARI RIVER LODGE

8 days I Select your own departure date

8 days/ 7 nights 

Full-board including local guide

Beach at the mangroves

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PRIVATE TOUR GAMBIA

15 days I Select your own departure date

15-day round trip ​

Gambia Easy birding

Full-board I English speaking guide

II MOST POPULAR TOUR II

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VOYAGE PRIVÉ GAMBIE - 8 JOURS

Choisissez votre propre date de départ

Aller-retour en Gambie - 8 jours

Photographie ou observation.

Voyage en pension complète.

Accompagnement en français.

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GAMBIA MANGROVES TO SAVANNA

GROUP TOUR 11.11.2024 - 25.11.2024

15-Day group tour

Gambia Mangroves to Savanna

English guide & driver

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SENEGAMBIA BIRDING GUESTHOUSE

FULL BOARD + PHOTO HIDE

8 days stay in our guesthouse.

Located at the Tanbi wetlands.

Full-board + use of our photo hide.

Including airport pickup

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8-day photography trip Gambia

English speaking guide

Minimum 2 persons

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PRIVATE TOUR GAMBIA + SENEGAL

15 day tour Gambia + Saloum Delta

minimum 2 persons

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VOYAGE PRIVÉ GAMBIE - 10 JOURS

Aller-retour en Gambie - 10 jours.

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GAMBIA EASY BIRDING

15-day group tour

Photography I Bird tour

Gambia Easy birding I Full-Board

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PRIVATE TOUR TENDABA GAMBIA

Individual travel I 8 days

8 days / 7 nights 

Luxe room with AC - Full board

Including transport, boattrip, ...

Including Tendaba photo hide

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10 days I Select your own departure date

10-day photography trip

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15-Day unique photography tour

incl Niokolo koba park Senegal

Aerial View of Green Mangrove Forest. Nature Landscape. Amazon River. Amazon Rainforest. S

VOYAGE PRIVÉ GAMBIE - 15 JOURS

Aller-retour en Gambie - 15 jours

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16-day Group tour - Birdwatching

DUTCH SPEAKING GUIDANCE

Birdwatching - Gambia

Max. 4 persons

     

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DAY EXCURSION

Coastal areas

Day excursion with private guide 

Half day or Full day

Choice between sereral areas

Contact us for pricing

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Sgb group tours: small groups | professional guides | photography guidance | full board our group tours always consist of small groups of minimum 4 persons to maximum 8 persons so that we can give the best possible service. priority during our trips are the spotting and/or photographing birds, but gambia is of course more than just birds. during our trips we also pay attention to mammals, reptiles, insects and the beautiful nature that gambia has to offer. good food and enjoying the beautiful weather may of course not be missed either :-)   .

'Senegambia Birding offers more than just organising personal or group trips.The team ensures that everything is organised to perfection, before, during, and after the trip. With the guidance of both local and Dutch-speaking guide(s), everything is done to make it a dream photography trip for everyone and at an absolute rock-bottom price. I can only recommend it to anyone with an interest. Top!

IMAGES

  1. Expert Guides For Birding in the Gambia

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  2. Expert Guides For Birding in the Gambia

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  5. Expert Guides For Birding in the Gambia

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  6. Expert Guides For Birding in the Gambia

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COMMENTS

  1. Gambia Bird Tour Guide

    Yankuba Jammeh is a friendly and down to earth professional bird watching guide based in the famous Kotu Creek birding hotspot. He has been organizing and leading birding tours since 2008. Yankuba was born and raised in the rural Gambia, where he took keen interest in birding and wildlife at a young age. About Yankuba.

  2. Expert Guides For Birding in the Gambia

    Gambia Birding Tours, a leading bird watching tour company in The Gambia, is committed to providing quality services to customers while also recognizing the threats to biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife. The company pledges to donate 2% of bookings to community development projects, organize annual tree planting exercises, public lectures ...

  3. Birds, Birding Trips and Birdwatching Tours in The Gambia

    Malick Suso is a top Gambian bird guide and birdwatching is his lifelong passion. Located on the coast at Kotu, Gambia, near the Bakotu and Kombo Beach Hotels, Malick travels all over the Gambia - his knowledge of the whole country is profound. In his local area he also oversees other official guides based here.

  4. Experienced Birding Guide in The Gambia and Senegal

    Get the full Gambia and Senegal birding experience, with a chance to see all of the target species of this West African hotspot. Day 1: From Kotu Creek, we will head to Lamin rice fields and Abuko for the first day's bring, before travelling to Kartong Bird Observatory (1). Day 2: Enjoy the whole day birding at Kartong Bird Observatory and ...

  5. Birding Tour in Gambia

    My name is Ebrima Sidibeh. I offer tailor made bird tours in Gambia and Sengal, both shorter day trips around Kotu Bridge and the surrounding area where I am based, to longer multiday tours heading inland to explore the vast array of birding sites and iconic species that the countries have to offer. I am highly experienced, having been a ...

  6. Gambia Birding Tour

    Gambia Birding Tours, a leading bird watching tour company in The Gambia, is committed to providing quality services to customers while also recognizing the threats to biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife. The company pledges to donate 2% of bookings to community development projects, organize annual tree planting exercises, public lectures ...

  7. Birdwatching Tours & Safari in Gambia

    Experience the ultimate bird-watching adventure in The Gambia with Bird Safari Gambia. Discover a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Book your bird safari today and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of West Africa's avian treasures. ... Amazing birding tour with Dallu Barry as professional bird watcher We have made a wonderful full-day ...

  8. Gambia Birding Tours

    Gambia Birding Tours. Gambia birding tours are seen as a great introduction to African birding and will surely leave you yearning for more from this amazing birding and wildlife continent. The Republic of The Gambia ("The Gambia" hereafter) is the smallest country of mainland Africa. The entire country is surrounded by Senegal, except for ...

  9. The Gambia

    Tour Description: A 7-day birding holiday to The Gambia exploring the coastal region south to the Senegal border. Our days are mainly split into morning and afternoon sessions, with a break for lunch during the heat of the day. We use a single centre for this tour, which will be one of the tourist hotels at the coast.

  10. Gambia Birdwatching Guides

    Gambia Bird Guides. To book a tour guide contact YaYa Barry via +2205013137 or [email protected]. Home. Overview. Why The Gambia. Why Birdwatching. Birds of The Gambia. Birdwatching Tours for Everyone. More. Gambia Bird Guides - Experience the incredible wildlife of the Smiling Coast - ...

  11. Bird Watching

    Discover Bird Watching in Gambia With Suwaibou Gassama (Pablo)Bird Watching in the republic of GambiaGambia Bird Watching Tour GuideWith over 600 species of birds Gambia is the bird watchers paradise.Why Gambia is the perfect place for bird watchers. Despite the increase in human population growth over the past few decades and the widespread habitat degradation

  12. Home

    Went to Gambia for a two week holiday. We hired the guide for this two weeks and saw a lot of The Gambia. We like the diversity of the tours. The combination of the culture and nature tours is great. The guide is very experienced and knows a lot about the country and all of its birds. We had a good time and hope to come back soon.

  13. Tours

    Chimpanzee & Bird Tour. (Click for more detailed information) This tour is suitable for nature lovers and birdwatchers who wish to experience the country's rural life. It also offers the chance to spot the last remaining wildlife in the River Gambia National Park. The park, which is located on the north Bank of the country, consists of five ...

  14. Fatou Tours : birding and nature trips

    Gambia birding, long and short trips, completely organized as you wish. Pick up at airport, everything organized : lodges, transport, food, itinerary. Gambia birding tours Vogeltrips Gambia, volledig georganizeerd .

  15. Gambia Birding Trips Fatou Tours

    Fathala Park, Senegal. one day tour to a spectacular park. 4 x 4, birding in Fathala Park. all tours with our cars, but Fathala only to visit with their 4x4. Tanji Fish Market. arrival of the boats in the afternoon. Discover the real Gambia. and meet the friendly & smiling Gambians. The always busy markets.

  16. Introduction

    Visit here: https://www.blueskywildlife.com/operator/gambia-birding-tours/Gambia Birding Tours provides expertly guided birding trips for an unforgettable bi...

  17. The Gambia: Gateway to Africa Tour

    The highly prized Egyptian Plover is a stunning species and a big target on our tour (photo Ray Purser).. Following International Ornithological Congress (IOC) taxonomy (v11.1 in May 2021), The Gambia has an impressive bird list of 620 species, which is made up of a wide range of tropical African species and, during the northern winter (when our tour is timed), a mix of Western Palearctic ...

  18. Vogelreizen En Natuurreizen

    Senegambia Birding organises affordable group tours, individual tours and excursions for photographers, bird watchers and nature lovers. Book in confidence, and let our professional team guide you through the smiling coast of Africa. Our photography trips are guided by experts and welcome photographers of any level of experience or equipment.

  19. Birding Gambia-Senegal

    Birding beyond borders. If you want we can go beyond one country. You can explore the unique birding environments of both Gambia and Senegal, and enjoy the colors and melodies of this magical world. Do you already have specific wishes for locations for example? Let Ansu know so that he can include these wishes in a tailor-made tour.