Hi Jeannie
Recently back from 7 nights in the Gambia, just a few bits from my experience for you and anyone thinking of heading there
I stayed at Kombo Beach Hotel, ( was that the one you meant? ) not the best not the worst, probably one of the better tourist hotels, but I thought very good and very handy for Koto Bridge and meeting your guide, as well as a good place for an evening watch , there's usually something new to see each evening, and you can have some banter with any guides that are there. I ate every day morning and evening, including salads rice etc , ( at Kombo and out ) never had a problem and found the food very acceptable, but yes take care. The only thing I'd really be wary of is water, I always drink bottled water anywhere I go, and always use gel antiseptic hand wash after toilets ( the lodges etc can be a bit low key on providing soap etc ) , and before eating etc. Common sense stuff
I'd booked 2 and a half days with guide Ebrima Sidebeh ( Hawkeye ) and ended up going out 6 days, very luckily he was available for the extra days, absolutely superb guide, if it's there he'll find it and picks up a lot of stuff on call and is determined to find something once he hears a call! He is very well respected by the other guides and will put a schedule together for you. And a really nice guy to boot, and if you are looking for some genuine cultural experiences outside the hotel-provided African dancing etc it's worth having a chat with him, who knows what might be happening. I ended up being invited to the evening ceremony of the wedding of one of the other bird guides and it was a great evening, and well out of the tourist area. If you are not a hardened birder then he'll do a more leisurely day outing, it's up to you, just ask. I was visiting alone so was able to throw everything into the birding.
Without going too far away from the coast and working ( very ) hard ( except lunchtimes when we stopped at one of the lodges and ate in the shade watching the birds coming to the water pots ) we found 204 species, Gambia is a phenomenal place IMO . I'm going to go back later in the year and spend a few days with 'Hawkeye' upriver and should add a significant number of species once the rains have started
IMHO dont go to the Gambia and expect to find your own stuff and get a decent list, if you dont know the calls & the off the beaten track places then you'll miss out, a good professional guide is worth
every single penny and usually great company, if Ebrima is booked on your dates he will put you in touch with one of the other guides, and if he's recommended him/her ( yes there are lady guides ) then he/she will be good. Dave Gosneys booklet and video are great intros but a guide for a few days will absolutely seal the deal for a great birding holiday. Think you'll find and get good views of the owls or nightjars without help? Good luck with that!
My other recommendation is make the effort to get up and get going early, preferably at dawn, ( at the Kombo Beach breakfast starts at 6 ) the air is fresher, the birding is great & it gets a lot harder walking in the sun after 11 and the smaller birds get quieter. The lodge at Marrikissa is a great place for lunch, lots of water pots for the birds and walks along the creek etc ( and you can stay there ). Lamin Lodge is also another good lunchtime stop but less to see from the Lodge. If you're a less driven birder, early starts and the afternoon round the pool may be the way.
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And if you contact him tell him David recommended him!