When should you go bird watching in Gambia?

You can see awe-inspiring birds at any time of year! Each month is different depending on what the birds are doing, where they are nesting and what the climate is like.

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of what Gambia is like for bird watching:

October
After the rainy season of the summer months, Gambia becomes drier and less humid. Many of the species retain their breeding plumage. The Bishops, Whydahs and Weavers are all particularly impressive this time of year.

End of October into November
This is a great time to come bird watching because the climate is enjoyable (drier and less humid) and the first of our migratory bird species have started to arrive.

December
Good all-purpose bird watching time with plenty of migratory birds from Europe and elsewhere.

January to February
This is a very dry time of year that results in an influx of raptors. It can be quite hot around midday, but much more pleasant in the mornings and evenings when bird watching is best.

March to April
This is officially the dry season. It’s hotter, but also the best time to see Coursers, Sandgrouses and Raptors. The water shortages that result from the lack of rain means that the birds are easier to locate because they have fewer water sources to gather around.

End of May to September
The rainy season is in full swing during these months. This coincides with breeding season for many of the birds, which means they are especially active, beautiful and loud! Be warned that the humidity can be quite intense during this time.

If you have any questions, or are interested in seeing a specific species, please email us at contact@morgankunda.com and we can help you establish the perfect time for your adventure.

Great birding area

Our party had come to Morgan Kunda to birdwatch and we were not disappointed. The lodge’s grounds held good numbers of a lot of the commoner species of the area. Within a couple of kilometres of the accommodation there are reliable spots for Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and both Savile’s and Black-bellied Bustard.

Dan Brown, UK

Photos courtesy of Jay Knight