Despite increasing population and habitat pressures, The Gambia remains a remarkable destination for birdwatching. These include a mix of Afrotropical residents and Palearctic migrants, some of which are of global conservation concern.
Situated just south of the Sahara, The Gambia plays a vital role as a wintering ground and stopover for countless migratory birds. Its diverse wetlands and dry-season savannas offer essential refuge and feeding sites for both waterbirds and passerines from Europe and Africa.
The Gambia, West Africa’s smallest mainland country, holds a surprisingly significant place in the world of birdwatching. Despite being just 48 kilometers wide and around 480 kilometers long, The Gambia offers an exceptional range of bird habitats: lush riverine forests, coastal wetlands, savannah grasslands, mangrove swamps, and dry woodlands. This ecological diversity supports more than 580 bird species, making it a premier destination for ornithologists and amateur birders alike.

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Finfoot Podica senegalensis

African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus

African Green Bee-eater Merops viridissimus

African Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Darter Anhinga rufa

African Finfoot Podica senegalensis

African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus

African Green Bee-eater Merops viridissimus

African Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

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Birdwatching in The Gambia began to take shape in the 1960s and early 70s. European naturalists and ornithologists, particularly from the UK, started exploring West Africa more actively, drawn by the region’s rich biodiversity and relatively under-studied avifauna. The Gambia stood out for its political stability, safety, and English-speaking population — all significant advantages compared to neighboring countries. Early birdwatchers were often associated with university research teams or came as adventurous eco-travelers looking for unexplored birding frontiers.
These early expeditions laid the groundwork for what would become a growing interest in The Gambia as a winter birding destination. A key attraction was the ability to observe both African resident species and Palearctic migrants in close proximity.
By the 1980s, birdwatching had begun to develop into a tourism niche. Birding groups from Europe, especially the UK, started organizing dedicated tours. The first local bird guides emerged during this time — self-taught enthusiasts who developed remarkable field identification skills and intimate knowledge of the region’s hotspots. British naturalists and visiting tour leaders also played a role in training and mentoring local guides.

Areas like Kotu Creek, Abuko Nature Reserve, and Tendaba Camp became iconic birding destinations. Visitors could expect to see dazzling species such as the Abyssinian Roller, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, White-backed Night Heron, and the elusive Egyptian Plover. The small geographic size of the country allowed birders to cover diverse habitats within short distances, often yielding 150+ species in just a few days.

By the 1990s and 2000s, The Gambia had earned a reputation as one of the easiest and most productive birding destinations in Africa. Its infrastructure — including guesthouses and birding lodges — grew to accommodate the increasing number of eco-tourists. Local guides like became well known in the birding community, often mentioned by name in trip reports.

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

African Spoonbill Platalea alba

African-Spoonbill-Platalea-alba

Bearded Barbet Pogonornis dubius

Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

African Spoonbill Platalea alba

African-Spoonbill-Platalea-alba

Bearded Barbet Pogonornis dubius

Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus

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Several field guides and bird checklists began referencing Gambian records more frequently, and the country became a standard part of many West African birding itineraries. It also benefited from return visitors who came year after year, often building close friendships with their guides and supporting local conservation.

Birdwatching in The Gambia has not only been a source of tourism income but also a catalyst for conservation awareness. Organizations like the West African Bird Study Association (WABSA) and BirdLife International affiliates have conducted monitoring, education, and advocacy in the region. Local guides often serve as informal conservation stewards, protecting bird habitats from unsustainable development and educating villagers about the economic value of wildlife tourism.

Birding has also become a path of empowerment: many guides, some without formal education, have built professional careers through their skills and reputation in the field. Community-based tourism projects and eco-lodges have created employment while promoting habitat preservation.

We recommend using the Birds of Senegal and The Gambia as a field guide. The book is available at Amazon.co.uk.

The second edition of Field Guide to Birds of Senegal and The Gambia by Nik Borrow and Ron Demey is a top-tier resource for Western African birders. With 149 crisp colour plates and updated distribution maps across 360 pages, it comprehensively covers over 700 species found in these two countries.

The artwork is impressive — Borrow’s illustrations are sharper than ever, and Demey’s text has been thoroughly revised to reflect current taxonomy and field knowledge. Highlights include newly split taxa and additional range data, especially helpful for serious travellers and photographers heading into the region.

One minor limitation is the compact format, which means some maps are on the smaller side, but this is a practical compromise for portability in the field. All things considered, this guide stands out in its class and is a must-have for anyone planning birding tours or photographic trips in The Gambia or Senegal.