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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dave Williams" data-source="post: 3460326" data-attributes="member: 53820">Here are some links to previous trip reports I have written after visiting The Gambia.Both these trips were based in Kotu and give an idea of what you might see and find locally. There are a few pictures of the local birding area as well as lots of shots of the birds you are almost certain to see.<a href="http://www.northwalesbirding.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4922" target="_blank">http://www.northwalesbirding.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4922</a><a href="http://www.northwalesbirding.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7039" target="_blank">http://www.northwalesbirding.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7039</a>The last time I went I started off with a few days in Kotu then went up river to return to the rather luxurious but totally isolated Farunkunku Lodge. They offer a birders package which is excellent value in my opinion. The only consideration is if you are happy to be out on a limb, albeit a rather nice one!<a href="http://davewilliamsnaturephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-gambia-ticks-all-boxes-introduction.html" target="_blank">http://davewilliamsnaturephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-gambia-ticks-all-boxes-introduction.html</a>The latter blog is a little cumbersome as you have to view each entry by day.I think given the choice I'd choose The Gambia as the first option as you can get there quicker, cheaper and the birding sites are all fairly close too. You can hire a guide easily, I can put you in touch with an excellent one if you want. Expect to pay around £70 per day with transport. If you know where you are going you can just hire a taxi as an alternative, that costs a lot less. I have found that as photographer I'm more than happy to stay around locally for weeks on end as there are so many good places and birds right on the doorstep in Kotu.TG used to have a bad reputation for hassle by the locals known as "Bumsters". Nowadays they have all but disappeared thanks to a police crackdown however, the bird guides can be quite persistent if they see you with a camera or pair of bins. Usually a firm "No Thanks" does the job if you aren't interested in their services. I notice that the exchange rate is much better now than it was a few years back too. IMO it's better to go in January/February than before Xmas although the latter is better if you want to go up river in search of Egyptian Plover or to see some of the birds still in breeding plumage. The former is drier, the weather more settled and the birds are more readily found as water sources shrink.cheersDave</blockquote>

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