The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, yet its bird list runs past 600 species, from forest turacos and mangrove kingfishers to Sahelian raptors and a winter flood of European migrants. Yaya Barry has guided birders here since 1996 and will show you the birds, whatever your experience.
Start here
No experience needed. Start with our plain-English guide for first-time birders.
Read the beginner's guideBirds are here all year, but some months are better. See what each one offers.
When to goMangrove creeks, forest and savanna sit a short drive apart. Browse the key sites.
Explore the sitesWhen to go
Tours
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A fully guided private birding tour combining the best of coastal and inland Gambia with the forests, wetlands and wildlife-rich landscapes of Eastern Senegal, including Niokolo-Koba National Park. Designed for serious birders seeking Gambian specialities, Sahelian species, woodland birds and waterbirds, at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
View itineraryWhere
Western Region, near Lamin/Abuko, south of Serekunda on the Banjul–Brikama highway
Abuko is The Gambia's oldest protected wildlife area, a small but botanically rich pocket of gallery forest along the Lamin Stream, easily reached from the coastal resorts. It's one of the country's most reliable sites for forest-dependent species, with an easy circular trail and hides making close encounters straightforward even on a short visit.
West Coast Region, Atlantic coast of The Gambia
Tanji River (Karinti) Bird Reserve, gazetted in 1993, is widely regarded as the richest single site for bird species in The Gambia. It combines coastal lagoons, mangrove, and dune scrub woodland with the offshore Bijol Islands, which hold The Gambia's only breeding seabird colonies.
Lower River Region
Kiang West is The Gambia's largest national park, spanning savanna woodland, tidal mudflats and mangrove creeks along the south bank of the Gambia River. It's renowned among birders for exceptional raptor diversity and is a stronghold for species rarely seen elsewhere in the country.
Your guide
Yaya doesn't just point out birds. He knows the trails, the tides and the seasons that bring in the species you're hoping to see. Every tour is personally guided by Yaya himself, built around your interests and pace.
Read Yaya's storyReviews
Learn more
Birds for beginners
New to birdwatching? Meet ten colourful, common birds you can realistically see in The Gambia, from pied kingfishers to gonoleks, with a simple spotting tip for each.
23 October 2026 · 6 min read
Planning your trip
When is the best time to go birdwatching in The Gambia? A month-by-month guide to migrants, breeding plumage, heat and rain, so you can pick the right season.
13 October 2026 · 7 min read
