BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS

The Gambia provides some amazing opportunities for birdwatching. With 600+ species and everything in relatively close proximity, you don’t have to travel far to see some fascinating birdlife. For a birdwatching experience like no other on the continent of Africa, look no further than The Gambia.

Malick Suso - Expert Bird Guide

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 was awarded the Wanderlust Best Wildlife and Safari Guide in 2023 and we're delighted to be able to recommend his services to Gambia Experience guests.

We can arrange half or full-day birding trips with Malick, book 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 can also offer private birding trips upriver, including accommodation from two to five nights - further details below. All itineraries include personalised guiding services by Malick. Please call our reservations team on 01489 866939 to check availability and receive a quote for your request. An example itinerary can be found below:

2 nights: Tendaba, including boat trip and accommodation with breakfast and lunch, plus transportation (dinner and drinks paid for locally). Tendaba is undoubtedly the best-known birding region and Tendaba Lodge's proximity to several prime birding locations allows guests to spot species such as the Black-rumped Waxbill, Pygmy Sunbird, Black Scimitar Bill, Yellow White-eye, Brown-rumped Bunting, Klaa's Cuckoo and a host of others. *2 nights from £325pp including transport, accommodation, en suite with a fan breakfast, lunches, Malick Suso guiding, one boat trip (air-conditioning, dinner and drinks paid for locally).

3 nights: Tendaba and Janjangbureh, including boat trip and accommodation with breakfast and lunch, plus transportation (dinner and drinks paid for locally). Janjangbureh is a small island with a fascinating mix of wildlife (including hippos, monkeys and crocodiles) as well as many bird species such as the Fishing Owl.

4 nights: Tendaba, Janjangbureh, Morgan Kunda Lodge or Kauren River Camp including boat trip and accommodation with breakfast and lunch, plus transportation (dinner and drinks paid for locally). Once you reach the likes of Morgan Kunda or Kauren River Camp you can spot species such as the White-crested Tiger Bittern or Eagles and Plovers, respectively.

5 nights: Tendaba, Kairo Konko Lodge or The Bridge Hotel, Janjangbureh, Morgan Kunda Lodge, Kauren River Camp or Farafenni. Including two boat trips, transportation, accommodation, breakfast and lunch (dinner and drinks paid for locally). With a stay at The Bridge Hotel you will have the chance to spot species native to the Pakalinding area such as the Pied Kingfisher and Pink-backed Pelican.

NB There are various options for upriver accommodation with new lodges available, so these itineraries provide a guide only. Most are basic but often have an air-conditioned room option - The Bridge Hotel and Restaurant near the river crossing at Soma and Kauren River Camp on the North Bank include AC as standard. Supplements may apply.

Why choose The Gambia for birdwatching?

Birding in The Gambia - an introduction from Chris Packham

Chris has long been a massive advocate for The Gambia, both as a holiday destination in its own right, and a supreme birdwatcher's paradise.

'The Gambia remains a top birding destination. Easily accessible, affordable and packed with a range of exciting species. It's a great place to get an introduction to African birds or snap some super photographs. The guides are brilliant, the people are friendly, the hotel and food are good and the sun shines.

The Bakotu Hotel is my second home. Small, quiet, friendly, with good restaurants in and around, it also has lovely gardens which are full of birds and mammal life so it's the perfect place to stay and connect with The Gambia's wonderful wildlife.

Mandina offers something completely different - it is simply beautiful, a patch of heaven on earth, tranquil, lush, peaceful and full of fabulous wildlife, and the stunning lodges are just perfect. Watching the egrets and herons arrive back at their roost as the sun sets serenely over the mangroves while sipping a cold beer is the best evening of my life - this place is simply awesome.'

Chris Packham, BBC Presenter

Celebrity Ambassador, Megan McCubbin

Megan thoroughly recommends The Gambia for a fantastic birdwatching tour. We organise tailor-made birding tours as well as working through a number of birding specialist group tour operators, such as Naturetrek.

Please phone our reservations team on 01489 866939.

Celebrity wildlife TV presenter and photographer Megan McCubbin has led two successful birding tours in The Gambia, based at the small, friendly Bakotu Hotel. She grew up learning about wildlife and conservation, being taught by the best - her stepdad Chris Packham! Following her studies in Zoology at the University of Liverpool, her career has gone from strength to strength, including co-hosting the BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes, as well as more recent appearances as a presenter on Animal Park.

Megan says: ''The Gambia is a home away from home for me. I have visited the country countless times since the age of five and am always left speechless by the diversity of its bird life - from giant kingfishers to long-tailed nightjars, and everything in between! It's always an adventure, and I cannot wait to return and catch up with some of my favourite species.''

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 birdwatching; 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.

Great value for money African birding trip. We would recommend The Gambia Experience for the organisation of the trip and Malick as a brilliant bird guide. In all, great value for money.

Mr Snell – Guest – Bakotu Hotel