GAMBIA & SENEGAL BIRDS TOURS

I’m Modou Saidy, a full-time bird tour leader and wildlife photographer based in The Gambia, West Africa. I’m passionate about birds, nature, and wildlife, with a focus on documenting and sharing the region’s rich biodiversity.

I am a member of The Gambia’s National Bird Guide Association and the Founder and CEO of Gambia and Senegal Birds Tours, a travel company that has been operating since 2004 and is officially registered and licensed by The Gambia Tourism Board.

I have worked as a professional birding guide for the past eight years, gaining extensive experience leading bird watching tours throughout The Gambia and Senegal. During this time, I have had the privilege of welcoming birders from around the world and sharing my knowledge, expertise, and passion for birds and wildlife.

My goal is to provide memorable and rewarding birding experiences while helping guests discover the remarkable diversity of birdlife, wildlife, and natural landscapes that The Gambia and Senegal have to offer. I also serve as an administrator of three birding and wildlife Facebook groups: Gambia and Senegal Birding, Gambia and Senegal Wildlife and Culture, and Birders & Twithers.

Through these platforms and my work in birding tourism, I enjoy connecting birders from around the world, sharing birding experiences and knowledge, promoting the rich birdlife and wildlife of The Gambia and Senegal, and encouraging people to appreciate, discover, and explore the natural world.
Our travel company is a dedicated team of experienced tour leaders and professional drivers committed to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality travel experiences. We take pride in offering personalized service, expert local knowledge, and carefully organized tours designed to ensure every journey is comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable.

We organize and lead a variety of birding tour packages across the length and breadth of The Gambia and Senegal, designed for birdwatchers, photographers, nature lovers, and holidaymakers alike. Our journeys take us from the western regions of The Gambia, to northern Senegal toward the Mauritanian border, and across the eastern regions of Senegal toward the Malian border. From there, we continue southward, eventually reaching the beautiful coastal region of Casamance in southern Senegal.

Along the way, we explore a remarkable diversity of landscapes and habitats, offering our guests the opportunity to experience the incredible birdlife, nature, and cultural richness of this fascinating part of West Africa. These tours offer individuals, couples, families, private birding groups and photography groups—including birders, photographers, nature lovers, and holidaymakers—the opportunity to explore the remarkable diversity of habitats and landscapes while experiencing the rich birdlife, wildlife, and culture of both The Gambia and Senegal. We provide comfortable, well-maintained AC vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars, 4x4 Vehicles, and 17- to 25-seater Mini-Coaches. Excursions can be booked as round trips, full-day tours, or half-day tours. You can also book in advance according to your preferred tour package and itinerary through this platform.

My team and I warmly welcome you to The Gambia. We are committed to making your journey safe, relaxing, enjoyable, and professionally organized. Each member of our team brings valuable experience and expertise, from an in-depth knowledge of birds, wildlife, and habitats to calm, friendly, and reliable guidance throughout your stay. Our goal is to ensure that you feel comfortable and well cared for while discovering the natural beauty, rich birdlife, wildlife, and culture of The Gambia.

Our Aims and Objectives

• Nature and Bird Conservation: Implementing projects that protect birds, wildlife, and their natural habitats.

• Environmental Awareness and Education: Promoting environmental education and raising awareness about the importance of nature and
biodiversity.

• Organize annual summer tree-planting activities: to support reforestation, habitat restoration, and environmental sustainability.

• Create bird-feeding platforms and nature spaces: that encourage bird watching, environmental learning, and appreciation of wildlife among
local communities, visitors, and nature enthusiasts

• Conduct summer bird field research and country-wide bird surveys across Senegal: to document bird populations, distribution, habitats, and
conservation needs.

• Develop bird photography hides and bird watching observation towers: to provide responsible, accessible, and sustainable opportunities for
observing and photographing birds without disturbing wildlife.

• Promote responsible bird watching and nature-based tourism: by encouraging practices that respect wildlife, habitats, local communities,
and the environment

• Develop sustainable travel, tourism, and hospitality opportunities connected to bird watching: creating benefits for local communities while
supporting conservation and environmental protection.

• Encourage community participation in conservation: by creating opportunities for local people, young people, researchers, birdwatchers, and
nature lovers to contribute to environmental protection and education.

Best Time for Birdwatching

The best period for birdwatching in The Gambia is generally during the dry season, from late October/November through April, when migratory birds are present and weather conditions are generally more comfortable for outdoor activities.

Weather & Climate

The Gambia has an Afro-tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year, generally ranging from approximately 24°C to 35°C during the day. The country has two main seasons.

Dry Season – November to April

• Pleasant, cooler mornings and evenings
• Warm and generally sunny days
• Very little rainfall
• Excellent opportunities to observe resident and migratory species
• January to March can be particularly productive for observing various raptor species
• Toward the latter part of the dry season, water sources begin to shrink, often concentrating birds around remaining water areas

Rainy / Green Season – May to October

• Higher humidity and warmer conditions
• Occasional heavy rainfall, often occurring overnight
• Lush green landscapes and abundant vegetation
• Peak breeding period for many bird species
• Birds can be particularly active and vocal, with some species displaying breeding plumage
• Outdoor activities may require greater flexibility due to weather conditions

What to Bring

For a comfortable and productive bird watching experience, we recommend bringing:
• Binoculars
• Camera and photography equipment
• Telescope, if available
• Field guide to the Birds of The Gambia and Senegal / Birds of Senegal and The Gambia
• Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat or sun protection