Birding in The Gambia with SparrowBirding
Situated in the western part of Africa, The Gambia is known as the Smiling Coast of Africa and distinguished as one of the smallest countries in West Africa. It has a total length of about 220 km and a width of 50 km. The Gambia is bordered on three sides by Senegal, and the remaining side by the Atlantic Ocean, and has a population of about 2 million people. Having been subject to British colonization, The Gambia became independent on the 18th of February 1965, and declared itself a republic in 1970.
Capital. The capital is Banjul, while Serekunda and Brikama are the biggest cities of the country.
Currency. The Dalasi is the actual currency of The Gambia. As there are only a few ATM’s, cash is required and can easily be changed in Dallas (100 Dallas is about 1.50 Euro or 1.25 GBP).
As The Gambia is so small the concentration of birds is very high, both in numbers and species. So birdwatching in The Gambia is very interesting. More than 550 different species have been observed (in Senegal even more). Situated just below the desert, The Gambia attracts a plethora of European birds seeking refuge during the winter.
Birding with Famara Njie alias Jack Sparrow from SparrowBirding is exiting. Depending on the season, you might spot about 150 to 250 different birds within a 2-weeks trip. As The Gambia is bordered by Senegal, you can easily make a trip over there. Furthermore not only birds are covered, but also other flora and fauna you will encounter during a tour.
How birding in The Gambia?
There are several ways to go bird watching in The Gambia:
Join a specialized birding tour. This can be a great option, as these tours are well-organized. However, you are tied to a group, which means you cannot determine your own schedule or pace. This can sometimes be challenging, especially if your partner has other preferences.
Book a hotel-based trip. You can book a stay at one of the hotels along the “Sunshine Coast,” such as in Kotu, and arrange various excursions from there. SparrowBirding offers excellent services for this, allowing you to decide which days (or multiple days with overnight stays) you’d like to go on an excursion and which days you’d prefer to relax. I can advise you on the best birding locations for a particular season. We call this relaxed birding, as it combines well with a beach holiday.
Tailored birding holiday. SparrowBirding can organize a fully tailored birding holiday for you. Share your preferences, and together we can plan a round trip, including selecting hotels and lodges. You book your flight to Gambia yourself (including hotel accommodation for the day of arrival and the night before departure). And I will take care of the rest, such as transportation, lodging, dinners, and more.
Note: For these services, payment in advance is necessary to secure your booking. This ensures that all arrangements, such as accommodations, transportation, (and special excursions), are confirmed and ready for your trip. Payment details and instructions will be provided during the planning process.
See our options for bird watching tours
Birding where in The Gambia?
The first question is not so difficult to answer, because everywhere in The Gambia birding with SparrowBirding-Gambia is lovely, and many birds you may find in all regions, but some birds depend on a special habitat. Jack Sparrow knows exactly where to find them.
The Gambia is divided in five regions:
1) West coast (WC); Here you will find gulls and terns (Tanji beach) and many other birds in places like Brufut, Lamin Ricefields etc. In the hot season this region is a little bit cooler;
2) North Bank (NB), sub divided in West and East:
3) Lower Region (LR), where Tendaba is the hot spot for birders and where you will find many birds.
4) Central Region (CR): In dry Savanna Woodland you will find many raptors (Bateleur, Buzards), Bee-eaters like Red-throated and Carmine, but also Plovers Spotted Thick-knee etc;
5) Upper River (UR). Birds to be seen in this region are African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Carmine Bee-eater etc.
Birding when in the Gambia?
This is more difficult to answer although all seasons have their advantages. You can roughly distinguish three periods:
October – November – December
Birding at this time of the year, which is the early start of the season in the Gambia, is very good because there is the possibility to see most of the migrant birds like Waders, Egyptian Plover etc.
Furthermore birds can be seen in their beautiful breeding plumage like Northern Red Bishop, Yellow-crowned Bishop, and various Plovers. Furthermore inter African migrants like African Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Leviallant’s and Didric Cuckoo etc.
Temperatures during the day varies from 33° –38°Celcius.
January – February – March|
This is a another good period for birding. It is becoming drier and the birds migrate to the pools from where you can take nice photos. Furthermore the vegetation had dried and change to yellow, so the birds will be more visible. Birds to be seen are: Ground Hornbill, Bustards, Whydah and Coursers, some changing to non-breeding plumage.
Temperatures during the day varies between 30° and 35°C.
April – September
As the hot season starts, birding is recommended in the morning and late afternoon, preferably at the West coast region where it is a little bit cooler than in the inland regions.
Early in the season there are good possibilities to see the dry-season visitors such as Violet-backed Starling and Chestnut-bellied Starling.
Later in the season from July onward you will find birds which are associated with rain like African Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo and lots more for instance Egyptian Plover. The majority of birds like Bishops and Weavers are in full breeding plumage.
Temperatures during the day: between 33° and 40°C , but cooler in the morning.
Bird Watching and Photographing Tours in The Gambia and Senegal
SparrowBirding offers bird watching and wildlife photography tours across The Gambia and Senegal, visiting a variety of high-quality birding sites tailored to your preferences — including the species you’d like to see and the habitats you’d like to explore.
The tours are divided into three main categories:
– Single-day tours around Kotu
– Day trips to birding sites within easy reach of Kotu
– Longer excursions that cover a wider range of locations to spot regional specialties
While all tours can be fully customized, I also offer a selection of popular itineraries of varying lengths. These are displayed below to help you choose from different routes and options.
1. COASTAL TOUR OF GAMBIA (3 Nights/ 4 days birding)
We will visit a variety of birding sites within close reach of Kotu. Taking in all the coastal species. These tour can either be undertaken via day trips from your hotel in Kotu or staying over at our destination.
Day 1. Introduction to the bird life around the famous Kotu Creek.
Day 2. Travel to Bonto and Farasutu forest to enjoy some woodland birding.
Day 3. Travel to Tujereng and Gunjur forest where we will end up a photo hide.
Day 4. Birding at Kartong, Gambia’s only bird observatory and slowly making our way back to Kotu stopping off at the coastal site of Brufut and Tanji.
2. WEST GAMBIA TOUR (4 nights/ 5 days birding)
As well as visiting the popular coastal birding destinations, the tour adds 2 nights with inland mangroves swamps of Tendaba and the open bush of Morgan Kunda.
[Tendaba’s mangroves are known for species like African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, and White-backed Night Heron, while Morgan Kunda’s bush habitat might bring sightings of Savile’s Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and even Brown-necked Parrot.]
Day 1. Spend the early morning birding at Kotu Creek before hopping along the coast to Kartong Bird Observatory via Tanji and Brufut.
Day 2. Travel to Bonto and Farasutu to enjoy some woodland birding.
Day 3. Travel to Tendaba stopping around some road site birding sites. Preparing for a boat trip through the mangrove swamps.
Day 4. Enjoy the morning at Tendaba, walking the open bush habitats at Morgan Kunda to search for the inland specialities.
Day 5. More birding at some sites surrounding Morgan Kunda before heading back to Kotu via other birding sites.
3. COMPLETE TOUR OF GAMBIA (6 Nights / 7 Days Birding Adventure)
Experience the full spectrum of Gambia’s diverse birding habitats — from coastal lagoons and mangroves to inland swamps, open bushland, and riverine forests. This tour is designed to maximize sightings of Gambia’s most sought-after bird species.
Day 1. Coastal Birding. Early morning birding at Kotu Creek, a hotspot for waders, kingfishers, and herons. Travel along the coast with stops at Tanji Bird Reserve (home to gulls, terns, and ospreys), Brufut Woods (great for owls and sunbirds), and Kartong Bird Observatory.
Day 2: Kartong Bird Observatory. Full day dedicated to birding around Kartong and its surrounding wetlands, [perfect for rare species like African Pygmy Goose and Black Crake.]
Day 3: Journey to Tendaba. Depart for Marakissa River Camp for an overnight stay, with stops at Bonto Forest (known for bee-eaters and woodpeckers) and Farasutu Forest (ideal for nightjars and owls). Arrive at Tendaba Camp for an evening boat trip — a chance to spot Goliath Heron, Pel’s Fishing Owl, and African Finfoot.
Day 4: Tendaba to Georgetown. Morning exploration of Tendaba’s swamps and mangroves, seeking out specialities like White-backed Night Heron. Travel inland to Georgetown along the scenic riverside route.
Day 5: Georgetown Creek Exploration. Search for the elusive African Finfoot around the creeks near Georgetown. Keep an eye out for Shining Blue Kingfisher and Hadada Ibis.
Day 6: Georgetown to Morgan Kunda. Head towards Morgan Kunda, stopping en route at open grasslands to search for Savile’s Bustard, Black-headed Lapwing, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill.
Day 7: Morgan Kunda & Return. Morning birding in Morgan Kunda’s bush and grassland habitats, targeting species like Brown-necked Parrot and Rufous-crowned Roller. Return journey to Kotu for a relaxing afternoon or optional final birding walk.
4. GAMBIA AND CENTRAL SENEGAL TOUR (9 Nights / 10 Days Birding Adventure)
This thrilling tour combines a comprehensive exploration of Gambia’s prime birding sites with five days venturing into eastern and central Senegal, targeting species that can’t be found within Gambia alone. Expect a rich diversity of habitats, from coastal wetlands and riverine forests to savannahs and national parks.
Day 1: Kotu Creek & Marakissa River Camp. Early morning birding at Kotu Creek, a reliable spot for Kingfishers and Waders. Visit Lamin Rice Fields for Painted Snipe, Western Bluebill, and other wetland species. Travel to Marakissa River Camp for an evening boat trip, aiming for sightings of African Finfoot and White-backed Night Heron.
Day 2: Kartong & Bonto Woodlands. Morning birding at Kartong Bird Observatory, with a chance for Caspian Tern, Malachite Kingfisher, and Black Crake. Return to Marakissa for lunch and some relaxed local birding. Travel to Bonto and Farasutu woodlands, where specialties include Long-tailed Nightjar and Greyish Eagle Owl.
Day 3: Bonto, Farasutu & Journey to Tendaba. More birding in the woodlands for Western Bluebill, Green Crombec, and White-spotted Flufftail. Travel to Tendaba Camp, stopping at roadside birding sites en route for Dark-chanting Goshawk, Rufous-crowned Roller, and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark.
Day 4: Tendaba to Georgetown. Morning exploration of Tendaba’s swamps and mangroves. Travel inland to Georgetown, with chances to spot Egyptian Plover along the riverbanks.
Day 5: Georgetown to Wassadu. Early morning search for the elusive African Finfoot around Georgetown’s creeks. Afternoon journey to Wassadu, keeping an eye out for Abyssinian Roller and Northern Carmine Bee-eater along the way.
Day 6: Full Day in Wassadu. Spend the day birding around Wassadu, targeting Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Four-banded Sandgrouse, and other savannah specialists.
Day 7: Niokolo-Koba National Park. Early morning departure for Niokolo-Koba National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to spend the day birding. Possible highlights include Saddle-billed Stork and Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle. Return to Wassadu for an evening boat trip, hoping for Pel’s Fishing Owl and Giant Kingfisher.
Day 8: Wassadu to Kaolack. Journey to Kaolack, stopping at key birding sites along the route to maximize sightings. Keep an eye out for Chestnut-bellied Starling, Yellow Penduline Tit, and Little Green Bee-eater.
Day 9: Kaolack Birding & Scissor-tailed Kite Roost. Full day birding around Kaolack, with diverse wetland and dry savannah species. Evening visit to witness the spectacular Scissor-tailed Kite roost — an unforgettable sight!
Day 10: Return to Kotu via Tendaba. Travel back to Kotu, stopping at more birding sites around Tendaba for any missed species. Final chance to target key birds before concluding the tour.