Gambia family holiday (1 Viewer)

[WACCOE]

Hi
I'm thinking of The Gambia next November with the wife staying around the Kotu area,I would be birding by myself around the local area probably with just morning and late afternoon walks.
My question is will I be left alone or can I expect lots of hassle from the locals making birding difficult?

Cheers Dave

 

[cheshirebirder]

Hi
I'm thinking of The Gambia next November with the wife staying around the Kotu area,I would be birding by myself around the local area probably with just morning and late afternoon walks.
My question is will I be left alone or can I expect lots of hassle from the locals making birding difficult?

Cheers Dave

I’ve been four times to the Gambia but not for a few years. I found It was fine to bird on my own in that area but you will be approached by a bird guide or two . Most of the guides hang out at the Kotu Creek bridge birdwatching centre. Why not use a guide for the first walk ( they’re good and will show you the area ) and then see if you want to use them for more. Once they know you they’re much more likely to leave you in peace , not that I found it much hassle in the first place eg Kenya and Egypt far worse .

 

[Bubbs]

Scroll down and read the ‘Sanyang, The Gambia’ post.

 

[Mark Jarrett]

Hi
I'm thinking of The Gambia next November with the wife staying around the Kotu area,I would be birding by myself around the local area probably with just morning and late afternoon walks.
My question is will I be left alone or can I expect lots of hassle from the locals making birding difficult?

Cheers Dave

We used the Bakota Hotel at Kotu Creek in 2018. The garden area at the rear of the hotel has a viewing platform overlooking Kotu Creek and from the front of the hotel, you have direct access onto the beach.

I used a guide on two days of our 7 day stay and, other than that, did a bit of birding each morning around either Kotu Creek or the beach. It was also easy enough to get through to the adjacent golf course from the hotel.

You’ll get a little bit of attention, here and there, although nothing to be worried about. A firm ‘no’ usually does the trick.

 

[trw]

Hi
I'm thinking of The Gambia next November with the wife staying around the Kotu area,I would be birding by myself around the local area probably with just morning and late afternoon walks.
My question is will I be left alone or can I expect lots of hassle from the locals making birding difficult?

Cheers Dave

The hassle can be a bit of a pain ( and a bit of a laugh too!), but it shouldn't affect your birdwatching. I did all my birdwatching alone without too much bother, but I'm a reasonably experienced at shaking off the hasslers. After spending some time in Morocco I found the Gambian hasslers a lot less bother than the Moroccans. Had a thoroughly enjoyable time and have many happy memories of Gambia.

 

[temmie]

My question is will I be left alone or can I expect lots of hassle from the locals making birding difficult?

Yes. Your life will be difficult as the locals will point out birds and make you feel like you will quickly regret any minute you're staying in your hotel.
After some days, having hired the local guides and having seen some amazing birds, you will want more and regret having taken your wife and not some of your birding friends so you could venture deeper in the interior to see some amazing birds you won't have near Kotu.

Joking aside, if you're contemplating doing a day (or maybe some separate days) birding away from the coast, contact Jim Oostvogels from Senegambia birding (I met Jim in Gambia and have full confidence he won't disappoint you with whatever service or advice he can provide). He has a lodge with a hide, and ofcourse can set you up with a very good local birdguide. His prices are pretty cheap. Ofcourse you can also look around here on BF or cloudbirders for guide recommendations. In short: it would be a shame to just randomly bird a bit and not go somewhere for e.g. a dedicated morning's birding.

 

[Farnboro John]

If you like to take photos the short boat ride from Kotu bridge up the creek will put you right next to assorted herons, shorebirds and kingfishers. Ask at the bird guide association hut.

John