Gambia info please! (1 Viewer)

[leonardo_simon]

I'm thinking of a family package holiday to the Gambia this winter. Going with wife and two children who aren't interested in birding but happy to stay at a resort hotel.

I'll probably do some day trips out - possibly an overnight somewhere.

any advice appreciated but my two questions are:

1) about a suitable hotel that fulfils family & birding requirements -- the Senegambia has reasonable reviews & has large gardens, but the info on fatbirder is over 10yrs old & mentions that with vulture feeding there's now fewer small birds.

2) can any one recommend a good guide / guiding company please? I'm used to doing stuff on my own but understand that it will be much less hassle this way!



thanks ever so much

PS the costa rica idea got vetoed by family as too far and too much jet lag..... :-(

 

[Farnboro John]

I'm thinking of a family package holiday to the Gambia this winter. Going with wife and two children who aren't interested in birding but happy to stay at a resort hotel.

I'll probably do some day trips out - possibly an overnight somewhere.

any advice appreciated but my two questions are:

1) about a suitable hotel that fulfils family & birding requirements -- the Senegambia has reasonable reviews & has large gardens, but the info on fatbirder is over 10yrs old & mentions that with vulture feeding there's now fewer small birds.

2) can any one recommend a good guide / guiding company please? I'm used to doing stuff on my own but understand that it will be much less hassle this way!



thanks ever so much

PS the costa rica idea got vetoed by family as too far and too much jet lag..... :-(

In January 2020 we stayed at the Bakotu Hotel which was a few yards from the Kotu creek and in fact had a viewing platform at the back of the hotel (also a footpath to the golf course for other birds) and enjoyed it very much.

As for guide I've just nicked a couple of paragraphs from my BF report A Tale of Two Go-rounds (in Trip Reports):

"Ebrima Sidibeh of the Gambian Bird Guide Association. We arranged for his services well before the holiday and he provided us with a fantastic service on the ground: vehicle with a driver (Karanta) who could function as an additional guide, accommodation at Morgan Kunda on a two-day road trip to get some of the inland specialities including, most especially, Egyptian Plover.

Both the chaps were excellent company, very efficient and expert birders with deep knowledge of calls, locations, habitats and so on. Their vocal impressions of Pearl-spotted Owlet were convincing to small birds and loud enough that when I walked across in front of their performance it nearly blew my ear off."

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Probably don't let your family see my full report....

Have a great trip

John

 

[leonardo_simon]

Thanks! great trip report.

 

[leonardo_simon]

Hi @Farnboro John, here’s a question - I see from your trip report that you spent a little time walking around the golf course and koto creek on the ‘off days’ — were you able to do this on your own ? & if so did you get hassled at all or were you generally left in peace? I expect I’ll have more time in the vicinity of the hotel than you did!

 

[Farnboro John]

Hi @Farnboro John, here’s a question - I see from your trip report that you spent a little time walking around the golf course and koto creek on the ‘off days’ — were you able to do this on your own ? & if so did you get hassled at all or were you generally left in peace? I expect I’ll have more time in the vicinity of the hotel than you did!

Yes we did it on our own, no we didn't get hassled. I guess it is a good idea to keep well out of the way of golfers though!

Cheers

John

 

[Dubb]

thanks ever so much

PS the costa rica idea got vetoed by family as too far and too much jet lag..... :-(

My advice is find a new family , Costa Rica is worth it !

 

[wildkiwi]

Hi. I've been going to the gambia for 20 years, birdwatching & relaxing time on the beach.
Although the Senegambia hotel is very nice, it's right in the busiest, noisiest hubub! Lots of bars, restaurants.... OK to visit for a meal, but not overly family friendly.
I would recommend either the Bakotu hotel (Chris Packham's favourite hotel) or the Kombo opposite. Both in the Kotu area. Lovely beaches & for birding on your doorstep, you have kotu creek & the golf course.
I have used the same bird guide for many years, Musa Manneh. He's brilliant.... super reliable, trustworthy & he knows his birds! You can contact him on WhatsApp: 022 0783 4098.