Bird Photography in Gambia & Senegal

Gambia and Senegal are top destinations for bird photography and birding in West Africa. With wetlands, forests, mangroves, rice fields, and savannas, they offer excellent opportunities to photograph a wide variety of bird species.

Northern Red Bishop male in breeding plumage perched on a thin branch in Gambia
Northern Red Bishop male in breeding plumage perched on a thin branch in Gambia
Carmine Bee-eaters perched together on a branch, photographed in The Gambia
Carmine Bee-eaters perched together on a branch, photographed in The Gambia
Hippopotamus partially submerged in water, photographed in The Gambia
Hippopotamus partially submerged in water, photographed in The Gambia

Carmine Bee-eater

Hippo

Pied Kingfisher landing on a branch with wings spread, photographed in The Gambia
Pied Kingfisher landing on a branch with wings spread, photographed in The Gambia
Purple Heron standing along a sandy riverbank in The Gambia
Purple Heron standing along a sandy riverbank in The Gambia
Guinea Baboon portrait photographed in The Gambia
Guinea Baboon portrait photographed in The Gambia

Pied kingfisher

Purple Heron

Guinea Baviaan

Northern red bishop

Broad-billed Roller perched on a branch in Gambia, showing vivid blue and brown plumage
Broad-billed Roller perched on a branch in Gambia, showing vivid blue and brown plumage

Broad billed Roller

Mongoose drinking at a waterhole in The Gambia
Mongoose drinking at a waterhole in The Gambia

Mongoose

Birding in Gambia

Gambia is a compact yet exceptionally rich destination for bird photography. Birds are often easily observed and photographed in diverse habitats such as rivers, wetlands, and savannas.

Bird Photography in Senegal

Senegal adds vast landscapes and rare species to any birding experience. Its wetlands, coastal areas, and forests make it ideal for bird photography in Senegal.

Over 500 Bird Species

More than 500 bird species occur in Gambia and Senegal, including colourful weavers, kingfishers, pelicans, the Red-throated Bee-eater, and the Osprey. These photos highlight not only beauty, but also natural behaviour and habitat. Birds are essential indicators of biodiversity and environmental health in West Africa. This gallery is an inspiration for anyone interested in bird photography and birding in Gambia and Senegal, where every species tells its own story.

African Blue Flycatcher perched among tree roots in The Gambia
African Blue Flycatcher perched among tree roots in The Gambia
Blue-breasted Kingfisher perched on a branch in The Gambia
Blue-breasted Kingfisher perched on a branch in The Gambia
Grasshopper Buzzard perched on a treetop in The Gambia
Grasshopper Buzzard perched on a treetop in The Gambia
Double-spurred Francolin: A Hidden Gem of the Grasslands The double-spurred francolin is a ground-dw
Double-spurred Francolin: A Hidden Gem of the Grasslands The double-spurred francolin is a ground-dw
Patas Monkey portrait in its natural habitat in The Gambia
Patas Monkey portrait in its natural habitat in The Gambia
Yellow-crowned Gonolek perched on a branch in The Gambia
Yellow-crowned Gonolek perched on a branch in The Gambia

African Blue Flycatcher

Blue-breasted kingfisher

Grasshopper Buzzard

Yellow-crowned Gonolek

Patas monkey

Double-spurred Francolin

Bronze-tailed Starling perched on a branch in The Gambia
Bronze-tailed Starling perched on a branch in The Gambia

Bronze tailed starling

Fine-spotted Woodpecker clinging to a tree trunk in The Gambia
Fine-spotted Woodpecker clinging to a tree trunk in The Gambia

Fine spotted Woodpecker

Yellow-billed Shrike perched on a branch in The Gambia
Yellow-billed Shrike perched on a branch in The Gambia
Senegal Chameleon resting on a leaf in The Gambia
Senegal Chameleon resting on a leaf in The Gambia
Goliath Heron standing in wetland habitat in The Gambia
Goliath Heron standing in wetland habitat in The Gambia

Yellow-billed shrike

Senegal chameleon

Goliath Heron

Crowned Cranes flying over wetland grass in The Gambia
Crowned Cranes flying over wetland grass in The Gambia

Crowned Cranes

Little Bee-eater perched on a reed in The Gambia
Little Bee-eater perched on a reed in The Gambia
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird at nest hole in tree trunk in The Gambia
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird at nest hole in tree trunk in The Gambia
Black Crake standing at the edge of wetland vegetation in The Gambia
Black Crake standing at the edge of wetland vegetation in The Gambia

little bee-eater

Yellow-fronted tinkerbird

Black Crake

Scarlet-chested Sunbird feeding on flowers in The Gambia
Scarlet-chested Sunbird feeding on flowers in The Gambia

Scarlet Chested Sunbird

Purple Glossy Starling perched in natural habitat in The Gambia
Purple Glossy Starling perched in natural habitat in The Gambia
Little Bee-eater perched on a branch in The Gambia
Little Bee-eater perched on a branch in The Gambia
Grey-headed Kingfisher perched on a branch in The Gambia
Grey-headed Kingfisher perched on a branch in The Gambia

Purple glossy starling

little bee-eater

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Female Beautiful Sunbird feeding on flowers in The Gambia
Female Beautiful Sunbird feeding on flowers in The Gambia

Beautiful sunbird-female

Pearl-spotted Owlet perched in woodland in The Gambia
Pearl-spotted Owlet perched in woodland in The Gambia
Beautiful Sunbird perched on a branch in The Gambia
Beautiful Sunbird perched on a branch in The Gambia
White-throated Bee-eater displaying wings in The Gambia
White-throated Bee-eater displaying wings in The Gambia

pearl-spotted owlet

Beautiful sunbird

White-throated Bee-eater

Village Weaver building its nest in The Gambia
Village Weaver building its nest in The Gambia

Village weaver

Black Heron using umbrella feeding technique in The Gambia
Black Heron using umbrella feeding technique in The Gambia
Plantain-eater standing at water’s edge in The Gambia
Plantain-eater standing at water’s edge in The Gambia
Grey Woodpecker clinging to tree trunk in The Gambia
Grey Woodpecker clinging to tree trunk in The Gambia

black heron

Plantain-eater

Grey Woodpecker

Yellow-throated Leaflove perched on a branch in The Gambia
Yellow-throated Leaflove perched on a branch in The Gambia

Yellow-throated Leaflove

Carmine Bee-eaters perched on branch in The Gambia
Carmine Bee-eaters perched on branch in The Gambia
Knob-billed Duck in flight over wetland in The Gambia
Knob-billed Duck in flight over wetland in The Gambia
Alt text: Palm-nut Vulture soaring in flight in The Gambia
Alt text: Palm-nut Vulture soaring in flight in The Gambia

Carmine Bee-eater

Knob-billed Duck

palm-nut vulture

Female Beautiful Sunbird feeding on yellow flower in The Gambia
Female Beautiful Sunbird feeding on yellow flower in The Gambia

Beautiful sunbird - female