The Gambia - lenses and recommended guides? (1 Viewer)

[FayJ]

Hi all, I am going to The Gambia in November for 10 days (25/11 to 05/12). I booked a package trip via TUI staying in the Senegambia Beach Hotel which was surprisingly good value for a solo traveller like me. 😃

I haven’t found the definitive answer to my first question, despite searching the net - what is a good focal length lens to take for birding? I have two full frame Canon mirrorless cameras (R5 and R6 MkII) and EF 24-105, EF 100-400 L (II) and RF 200-800mm lenses (I also have a big 500mm but that’s heavy and not going). TUI’s cabin bag weight limit is 10kg.
I’m guessing that it’s a kind of ‘your mileage might vary’ question but worth asking.
Out of those lenses what would you take? Plus I will be taking a pair of 8x30 bins. I’ll be taking both camera bodies.

Secondly, I don’t intend lounging round the hotel grounds or beach for the entire 10 days, and I’ll book a guide for trips further out. Is there anyone who can be recommended? Is there anyone who is to be avoided?
As a single female, I will have to be sensible and not end up in a ridiculous situation.

Many thanks for any advice, recommendations and input you can offer.

 

[THE_FERN]

Hi all, I am going to The Gambia in November for 10 days (25/11 to 05/12). I booked a package trip via TUI staying in the Senegambia Beach Hotel which was surprisingly good value for a solo traveller like me. 😃

I haven’t found the definitive answer to my first question, despite searching the net - what is a good focal length lens to take for birding? I have two full frame Canon mirrorless cameras (R5 and R6 MkII) and EF 24-105, EF 100-400 L (II) and RF 200-800mm lenses (I also have a big 500mm but that’s heavy and not going). TUI’s cabin bag weight limit is 10kg.
I’m guessing that it’s a kind of ‘your mileage might vary’ question but worth asking.
Out of those lenses what would you take? Plus I will be taking a pair of 8x30 bins. I’ll be taking both camera bodies.

Secondly, I don’t intend lounging round the hotel grounds or beach for the entire 10 days, and I’ll book a guide for trips further out. Is there anyone who can be recommended? Is there anyone who is to be avoided?
As a single female, I will have to be sensible and not end up in a ridiculous situation.

Many thanks for any advice, recommendations and input you can offer.

With those cameras sounds like you're into photography. If so, I'd take whatever gives the best images. If not, 100-400 for id photos. Either way, suggest needs to support min 200 mm, better 400+. Abuko used to be a definite must; probably OK as a single woman going by yourself. Others will have more recent knowledge of guides etc

 

[Scridifer]

PM sent

Chris

 

[FayJ]

With those cameras sounds like you're into photography. If so, I'd take whatever gives the best images. If not, 100-400 for id photos. Either way, suggest needs to support min 200 mm, better 400+. Abuko used to be a definite must; probably OK as a single woman going by yourself. Others will have more recent knowledge of guides etc

Thank you.

 

[dandsblair]

Hi we used Solomon Jallow a couple of times with 2 friends (group of 4 so not too expensive) . This is a bit of info on him ..
(Solomon is a Gambian national who has an extensive knowledge of the birds, sites and people of his country. He is president of the West African Bird Study Association and organises Habitat Africa, a group of the best birdguides in The Gambia).

On another trip we used Modou Barry but we only used him for the day but he was pretty good and very friendly.

 

[samnew]

I'm not familiar with the Gambia at all so will leave that to other people.

However, regarding photography I think the best 'all round' set up would be the R5 and 200-800. But that said, it all depends on what type of birding you will do. If it's dense jungle or you are really close to the birds, the 100-400 would probably be better. If the birds are distant in open areas e.g. grassland or shorelines, probably the 200-800.

 

[temmie]

Hi, there are 3 guides / contacts I know of and I would either recommend or at least inquire upon:
Solomon Jallow (see above), he arranged our Senegambia trip (but not our trip was unguided, and we only used local guides at some spots, but we always had the driver talk with Solomon with regards to logistics and arranging those guides etc. so we felt in good hands.
Jim Oostvogels - he runs Belgambia tours, runs an excellent lodge (Belgambia) and can either guide or at least point you towards excellent guides. You can contact him on FB or the website senegambia birding. His prices are very good (but I would expect most if not all Gambian guides have prices that are, by W-European standards), pretty good.
Abdoulie Ndure. I don't know him personally but based on what I hear and read, he should be one of the best guides for Gambia.

I think all of the above mentioned know eachother pretty well (Gambia is a small country), and you shouldn't have trouble finding a good, reliable guide in Gambia when you ask around and you're clear about your ambitions, budget,...

With regards to camera: take your longest lens. Savanna birding = good light and lots of reach needed.

 

[FayJ]

Thanks for the comments all. Theyre much appreciated.