Had a week in Gambia just before Christmas and used one of the local guides for the last couple of days. His name is Lamin Sibideh Tel. (+220) 9909365 Email [email protected]. He's a regular Dr Doolittle, he really can talk to the birds, a very impressive range of calls including African Golden Oriole, Striped Kingfisher, Pearl Spotted Owlet and many, many more. Most importantly he's a very agreeable companion. We went to Tujering woods , Marakissa, and he threw in a free couple of hours around the golf course on my last evening, just a friendly stroll as he described it. He's got a place on the left hand side of the sewage ponds between them and the stream/golf course, you can probably find him there.
There's no need for a guide really for Kartong, Tanje or Abuko unless of course you just want someone to identify the birds for you. Kartong was one of the nicest places I've been anywhere in the world. No need for a taxi either as Gelly-gellys from Bakoteh junction are incredibly cheap and really good fun. Stayed at the Badala Park Hotel, good value for money.
Around Kotu it can be a living hell with all the touts, con men, taxi drivers, bird guides etc. You'll have to get to the bridge over the stream at dawn to stand any chance of being left alone, the Palm Beach Hotel offers very good views of the mouth of the stream, just walk in and the cycle path is fine once you get on it though you'll have some hassle at the entrance.
Finally I thoroughly recommend the restaurant on the top of the Elton petrol station at the junction of Kotu Stream Road and Bertil Harding, good filling eats in the £1.50-£2.00 range.
There's no need for a guide really for Kartong, Tanje or Abuko unless of course you just want someone to identify the birds for you. Kartong was one of the nicest places I've been anywhere in the world. No need for a taxi either as Gelly-gellys from Bakoteh junction are incredibly cheap and really good fun. Stayed at the Badala Park Hotel, good value for money.
Around Kotu it can be a living hell with all the touts, con men, taxi drivers, bird guides etc. You'll have to get to the bridge over the stream at dawn to stand any chance of being left alone, the Palm Beach Hotel offers very good views of the mouth of the stream, just walk in and the cycle path is fine once you get on it though you'll have some hassle at the entrance.
Finally I thoroughly recommend the restaurant on the top of the Elton petrol station at the junction of Kotu Stream Road and Bertil Harding, good filling eats in the £1.50-£2.00 range.
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