Venture to The Gambia

Dec. 2-16, 2003

The Gambia, the smallest country in Africa, provides an excellent introduction to African birding.  Over our recent two week Venture, we counted 275 species, mostly African but this included a good selection of Palearctic migrants.

The habitats within The Gambia varied from coastal and salt marshes, to riparian forest along the Gambia River, dry acacia forests and grassland savanna. Even the lush planted grounds around our hotel and the camps were productive, as were the pirogue (boat) trips up the river and spotlighting in the evening. In two weeks there, we spent a good amount of time in each habitat, both north and south of the river and found that almost all of the birds were numerous and easy to see. 

Working with our local guide, Tombong, meant that we did not have to search too long for many of the specialties. He knew exactly where the “harder to get” birds were; which lake had the striking Egyptian Plovers and where the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl was roosting. This was also especially helpful when looking into a tree with dense foliage in someone's yard, trying to see the White-faced Scops-Owl.  Of course, our scopes drew a large crowd of onlookers, mostly children, trying to figure out why we were standing under a tree, looking straight up!

Looking back on a birding trip, it is always hard to say what the best memories were, but here are some of my favorites: Carmine Bee-eaters flying overhead in an African sun; flocks of finches, including the spectacular Exclamatory Paradise Whydah, drinking at a roadside waterhole; great views of both Green and Violet Turacos in a fruiting fig tree; Blue-bellied Rollers perched high in a Rhun Palm; tiny Malachite Kingfishers hiding in the reeds and striking Egyptian Plovers so close to us along the roadside……I could go on.

All in all it was a great birding trip and a good destination for many people’s first visit to Africa. The Gambia people were very friendly, hotels quite comfortable and the food was good. We will certainly return.