The Gambia Blog

Chris Packham in The Gambia

Hi all – we’d like to welcome all the new readers to the site and to introduce a very special guest poster: Chris Packham. Chris, who I’m sure you’ll know by now, is the current face of the BBC’s fabulous nature series Springwatch, and has a longstanding relationship with The Gambia going back many years. He has run several birdwatching and nature workshops in the country on behalf of The Gambia Experience and frequently visits the country for holidays. We’d like to thank him for this post and for some fantastic images – and here’s to many more trips to The Gambia! Also, while you’re here please do take a chance to look around the blog and see check out our manifesto – come and get involved!

Over to you, Chris:

It will sound silly given I normally only visit for only two weeks a year but the Gambia has come to feel like a second home. To be fair I don’t actually get home that much, maybe for a total of two or three months out of every twelve, so perhaps its just the annual continuity that underpins this feeling. What seals it are the fabulous cocktail of things the country has to offer. Some are obvious: sunshine, great hotels, good food; and for me – top quality birding and wildlife and for most others marvellous beaches . But this is what you see in the brochure, what you don’t realise until you get there is the wonderful hospitality and friendly nature of the people . We have many friends there now, from all walks of life, and we really look forward to seeing them and catching up on all the news and gossip. They on the other hand are always so pleased to see us, its like we have never been away.

That’s not to say that the place doesn’t change; I made my first trip in 1988 or ‘89 and since then there have been lots of changes, more hotels, roads, a lot more people! But what hasn’t altered is the flavour, the mood, the aura – that’s still the same and it’s great.

A Squacco Heron (image by Chris Packham)

I suppose the main reason that it has become a regular place for us to visit is the accessibility of the wildlife – particularly the birds – and that it’s possible to combine this with a typical family holiday, poolside fun, a bit of culture and music etc. You can still walk out of the back of the Bakotu Hotel, our long term favourite, and enter straight into a bird fest. That’s after you have ticked off a big list of friendly exotics in the beautiful gardens. The famous Kotu stream, the golf course, rice fields and, dare I say it the sewerage works are teeming with a great range of species to excite the British Birder. Further a field there are some really good nature reserves which always yield some totally top birding and photographic opportunities; and for the last couple of years we’ve taken a catamaran trip out into the mouth of the Gambia River where we’ve been double delighted to have plenty of dolphins frolicking around the boat and been treated to the best food afloat – the lady is French and everything is fresh!

Dolphins in The Gambia (image by Chris Packham)

It’s also worth mentioning the local bird guides – always on hand to help out. Some are superb, many competent, but some absolute jokers! It’s best to do some research before you go and to get recommendations; always agree an agenda and a price and book them in advance. I’ve always had the pleasure of working with Malick Suso and his local knowledge of sites and his sight and sound recognition skills are absolutely invaluable. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, a good local guide will always pay dividends.

This spring we also visited Mandina Lodges for the first time and what can I say . . . the accommodation, the service, and the food is totally amazing – not to mention the beautiful creek side location. It’s all Eco friendly and the owners are really switched on, incredibly helpful; the kind of folks who put the H in hospitality. If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the coast this is the place to chill and unwind. You’ll never want to leave!

A Senegal Parrot (image by Chris Packham)

Lastly, photography. The simple truth of it is that I’ve got some of my best pictures here in the last few years. The birds are normally approachable, as are the local people, and the light can be lovely too if you get up early – which you should! There’s plenty of colour and lots of details to catch your eye so go well armed with all your usual gear.

Just a few hours from the UK, The Gambia is a brilliant place to get to grips with Africa on a budget and with almost all the comforts of home. I often get asked ‘which is the favourite place you’ve visited?’ and the The Gambia is always on the list.

See more about Chris Packham’s bird tours in The Gambia.