Travel experiences of guests with Birding Adventures Gambia
During my tours of The Gambia and Senegal, I travel in small, private groups with my guests. Some guests spontaneously share their experiences and photos during the trip via Facebook or email.
Below, you can read a few of their personal testimonials. You can find more travel stories and photos on my Facebook page.
It has been nearly a week since we returned from our incredible birding trip to The Gambia, and we would like to thank everyone who made this journey so special. Our sincere thanks go to Abou Nyang of Mandinari River Lodge, a wonderful person and an excellent host. Thank you to Ousman Bahoum for guiding us on the first day, what a pleasant man. We are also grateful to the teams at Tendaba Camp, Morgan Kunda Camp, Riverside Lodge Bansang, and the beautifully located Bintang Bolong Lodge. Everywhere we stayed, we received great service, peaceful surroundings, and excellent food. A special thank you to our driver, Kawsu Jarju.
But none of this would have been possible without the knowledge, dedication and guidance of Fatou Colley, simply the best guide in The Gambia.
17 February First Trip
Unfortunately, we now come to the end of a very successful and memorable birding journey.
Rastaman Rock , Gibraltar
After quite a bit of searching online and reading various sources of information, I eventually chose a photography and birding trip with Fatou Colley of Birding Adventures Gambia. The communication beforehand was excellent: quick, clear and friendly. Upon arrival at Banjul Airport, Fatou and the driver were already there waiting for me, which was very reassuring after the flight. The trip itself was wonderful. Everything ran smoothly; I saw and photographed an incredible number of birds, and everything was organised down to the last detail. Fatou knows exactly where to go and has a remarkable feel for nature and the environment. She is always enthusiastic, friendly, punctual and professional , what energy. You can tell she does this work with heart and soul. My next trip with her is already planned. I can wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone wishing to watch and photograph birds in The Gambia. Thank you, Fatou, and a big compliment as well to the entire team of Birding Adventures Gambia.
Dirk D. Ghent ,Belgium
An incredible experience. Perfectly organised, varied lodges, and we photographed many bird species. We enjoyed every moment from the first hour to the very last minute. Fatou has a heart of gold. Fatou, you are the best!
We thank you for your dedication and kindness.
Warm regards,
Els and Ann, Belgium
This was our third time travelling to The Gambia, and on this occasion we booked a trip with Birding Adventures Gambia, guided by Fatou Colley, which included both The Gambia and Senegal. From our very first meeting at Banjul Airport we felt reassured: everything was clearly explained and well prepared. During the journey we quickly noticed that Fatou knows every location extremely well and effortlessly adapted the programme to our pace and our particular interest in bee-eaters. As a result, everything felt relaxed and flexible, never rushed. The Senegal part of the trip was quite special: a long drive, fortunately with air conditioning so we could cool down from time to time. A highlight was our visit to Niokolo Koba National Park and the small but very beautiful village of Simenti, including a boat trip on the river. This left a very special impression on us. We will certainly return one day, it is incredibly peaceful there. The only ones to disturb us were a few warthogs and some baboons. Back in The Gambia we also met Fatou’s colleague, Musa, who was travelling with guests to the same lodge. This provided additional insights and enjoyable conversations in the evenings at the table and long afterwards. For anyone reading this, one tip: bring plenty of memory cards for your camera, as the photographic opportunities come one after another.
Fatou, thank you for putting together such a fantastic journey, we hope to return again soon.
Martin and Jolanda, The Netherlands ( bird photography tour Gambia & Senegal)
Our birding trip with Birding Adventures Gambia exceeded all expectations. Fatou Colley proved herself to be an exceptionally professional guide with a profound knowledge of the local flora and fauna. The journey offered the perfect balance between adventure and a carefree, meticulously organised itinerary. Alongside Fatou's expert guidance, the logistical support on the ground was truly outstanding. The highly skilled driver, with great patience and expert handling, ensured a very relaxed travel experience, allowing us to focus entirely on our cameras. The whole team operates as a well-oiled machine, which gave us the opportunity to capture numerous unique bird species beautifully on film. An absolute must for every wildlife photographer!
Roberto y María , España
Our journey with Birding Adventures Gambia was nothing short of exceptional. Fatou Colley is truly a world-class guide; her profound knowledge of the natural world is matched only by her remarkable ability to anticipate the perfect photographic moment. Every aspect of the tour was meticulously organized, from the daily itineraries to the logistical arrangements.
Furthermore, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent driver and the entire support team. Their professionalism and punctuality ensured a seamless experience, allowing us to photograph rare and extraordinary bird species in a tranquil and focused environment. The combination of expert guidance and flawless organization makes this the definitive expedition for any serious bird photographer. We look forward to our return.
Many greetings Fatou,
Dirk, Erik, Mark and Patrick From Belgium
An unforgettable trip to The Gambia!
Having landed safely back at Schiphol, we are looking back on our wonderful tour of The Gambia with such warmth. Fatou, thank you once again for the fantastic organisation; we enjoyed every single moment! We are currently still sifting through thousands of photos, but the pictures will follow soon. Our warmest regards to Abou, Ousman, Musa, Idrissa, and Kawsu. See you in January
Kees & Arianne, The Netherlands