Malick Suso has over 20 years of experience birdwatching in The Gambia and knows the terrain and where to look for the rare species like no other. He's also been described by Chris Packham as one of the very best birdwatchers and guides in the whole of The Gambia; high praise indeed! He's represented Gambian birding at the UK Bird Fair in Rutland and we're delighted to be able to recommend his services to Gambia Experience guests.
HALF-DAY
BIRDWATCHING
| FROM ANY
GAMBIA COASTAL HOTEL |
| (supplement from Mandina) |
| 2 Sharing | Single |
| £39pp | £65pp |
FULL-DAY
BIRDWATCHING
| FROM ANY
GAMBIA COASTAL HOTEL |
| (supplement from Mandina) |
| 2 Sharing | Single |
| £69pp | £125pp |
We can arrange birding trips with Malick, either before you travel or on arrival (subject to availability), which will involve visits to a variety of habitats, utilising all his local knowledge to help seek out the rarest and most colourful species. If Malick is not available, another expert birding guide as recommended by him will accompany you. Malick, or another bird guide, can also do birding trips upriver or into Senegal — please ring our reservations department to check availability and receive a quote for your request.
Here's what some delighted customers have to say about Malick:
"The Gambia is one of the best places in Africa to go birdwatching, and to get out into the field with the legendary guide Malick Suso is an experience I’ll never forget. A really inspiring day hiking in the bush with plenty to see and never a dull moment. Malick is simply the best."
"It was not only Malick's superb knowledge and awesome skill in locating, spotting and calling up birds that made our time with him so special. In addition to this it was also his passion for sharing his understanding of the people and culture of his country as we ventured 'up river' and away from the coast. He showed great initiative and flexibility in being sensitive to our needs, to give us the trip we really wanted. We learnt a great deal and had lots of fun in the process, coming away enriched by our time with him. He seemed to know nearly everyone and it was clear why he is liked and respected."
General Birdwatching Opportunities
There's an abundance of birdlife in and around the hotels so, even if you've just a passing interest, don't forget to pack your binoculars. Below are some of the hotels we believe give you the best opportunity to enjoy what The Gambia has to offer without straying too far, but this list is by no means exclusive. We've also put together a multi-centre option featuring three of the best locations for birdwatchiing; Mandina Lodges, the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project Camp and Bakotu Hotel on our Birdlife of The Gambia tour.
For those with a more keen interest, we work with a number of specialist companies. These include Naturetrek, who offer a few different options including a seven-night stay at Mandina Lodges, who can be contacted directly for further details of departure dates and itineraries.
For the more independent traveller or small groups, we can arrange upriver accompanied tours to discover the best of The Gambia's birdlife, visiting renowned birdwatching areas such as the Baobolong Wetlands, where the new Morgan Kunda Lodge is located. If you'd like to know more about these lodges, here's the top 10 reasons to visit.
Click here to see an example of a birdwatching tour, which can be customised to suit your taste and budget