Testimonials Birding Gambia-Senegal

“We hebben in februari-maart 2025 Gambia bezocht en hadden vogelgids Ansu Dunor geboekt van Birding Gambia-Senegal (https://www.birdinggambiasenegal.com/). Deze gids is uitstekend en ik kan hem ten zeerste aanbevelen. Hij is niet alleen een geweldige vogelgids en kent de geluiden en determinaties van alle vogels heel goed, maar ook de specifieke plekken waar je deze vogels kunt vinden. Bovendien antwoordt Ansu heel snel via e-mail of WhatsApp als je een vraag hebt en geeft hij goede ideeën over het programma. Verder is hij heel bescheiden, heeft hij humor en is hij ook behulpzaam voor degenen die hulp nodig hebben tijdens de wandel- of boottochten. Boek deze gids, je zult er geen spijt van krijgen!!”

- Group from the Netherlands, written by Renee (February-March 2025)

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“Mi mujer y yo acabamos de terminar nuestra estancia de 17 días por Gambia y Senegal con Ansu. Contactamos con él desde España para pedirle que nos planificara un viaje ornitológico por estos dos países. Ha sido un acierto y la mejor decisión. Ansu es un guía muy experimentado, profesional y alguien en el que podéis confiar, conoce el país como la palma de la mano y ha resultado imprescindible para observar y fotografiar las más de 250 especies que hemos podido ver. Es una persona paciente, amable, educada y un perfecto conocedor de la etología y cantos de cada especie, siempre dispuesto a ayudarnos y aconsejarnos para una mejor observación. También nos ha ayudado en el día a día en un país desconocido para nosotros. Junto con David, nuestro conductor (un saludo muy especial para él), hemos formado una pequeña familia con la que hemos disfrutado de nuestro maravilloso viaje.”

- Jose & Nati, Spain (January 2025)

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“My 6 days in Gambia with Ansu proved all the glowing reviews and trip reports spot on—I found Ansu not only has near magical birding talents but also has the temperament that makes multi-day adventures so pleasant. His gentle disposition, cheerful nature, and careful, dependable planning and communication made the trip a real highlight in my years of birding. He is sort of a bird charmer. He gets out in the woods and scrubland and birds swarm around him. Ansu is also well-connected to his colleagues and knew where to locate the rare ones—we went after 5 species of owl and got all of them. In 6 days we had 231 species, beyond what I’d hoped. So, as far as a review, well, it’s hard to find anything to improve on. He also guides in Senegal. My sense is Ansu is a Swiss Army knife of birding. He can do it all. Thanks Ansu for such a terrific trip!”

- Michael (January 2025)


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“Wij hebben eind december 2023/begin januari 2024 een uitgebreide vogelreis in Gambia gedaan (12 dagen) met Ansu. Ansu is een deskundige gids, die veel passie heeft voor vogels en natuur. Hij is rustig en heeft heel veel geduld. Dankzij Ansu zijn we op veel mooie locaties geweest en hebben we heel veel vogels mogen zien. Het was echt een fantastische ervaring.”

—Daniël and Anja, The Netherlands

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“Ansu’s birding skills are second to none, and he is a genuine, kind, and inspiring human being. Simply put, I cannot imagine a better birding guide in West Africa.”

—Ken Coe, USA

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“My wife and I have been to The Gambia on more than one occasion, principally for bird and other wildlife watching.  We have always used Ansu as our guide.

During our trips, Ansu has been attentive to our requirements as well as extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of birds as well as other wildlife.  He is also good company and clearly popular with other bird guides as well as tourists.

Ansu is competent, honest, pleasant, always helpful, and never misses a bird.”

—Dick Knight, England

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“I travelled to The Gambia with three friends.  We each had slightly different hopes for the trip, from photography to intensive listing and even just having a pleasant trip.  The one thing we all agreed on is we wanted a guide whom we could trust. Ansu came highly recommended in this regard and so we selected him. 

Ansu was fantastic at juggling the needs of the group and ensuring we saw plenty of species (286 in 10 days).  He helped us see the region’s most iconic species:  Egyptian Plover, African Finfoot, Martial Eagle, Sudan Golden Sparrow, and many, many more.  He has a fantastic knowledge of the region and where to see the birds.

When we had a bit of car trouble in the middle of nowhere, his organizational skills had us back up and running in under an hour.  This was mind blowing to me and reflects how well thought out his trips are. 

As I said at the start, a big driver in selecting Ansu as our guide was that he was described as trustworthy by others who had previously hired him.  When he suggested we switch accommodation for one of the stops, we knew this would be a good idea.  It came at no extra cost to us but put us in a wonderful upriver location. 

If you are looking for a guide in West Africa who will ensure you have a fantastic trip and effortlessly resolve any issues that may occur, I strongly suggest you contact Ansu.”

—James Boyle, Scotland

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“Ansu is a first-class bird guide.  He not only possesses a sharp set of eyes and a deep knowledge of the birds of The Gambia and Senegal, but also has extreme familiarity as to where the best places are to pick up the target species.  His calm demeanor and endless patience make it a real pleasure to spend time in his company out in the field, while his passion for conservation of the remaining wild forests and wetlands of the region is another feather in his bow.  I have absolutely no hesitation recommending his services whether for a few hours birding or for a fortnight’s expedition visiting multiple locations in the region – I did the latter.”

—Rod Tether (Natural High Safaris), France

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“After 2 holidays in Kotu, with Ansu as our guide, we would characterise him as very conscientious, very customer-focussed and very knowledgeable; also personable and friendly. If your French is not good, take him into Senegal too! We hope to go ‘up the river’ with him one day soon.”

—Andy Jinman, UK

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“My husband and I visited The Gambia in 2020 and Ansu was our guide. We do a lot of birdwatching and travel to birding spots. I must be honest that Ansu was the best guide we have ever had! He knows every bird species, their habitats, behavior, and calls. He took great care as we travelled inland along the river. It was a great adventure and I strongly recommend Ansu to everyone wanting to visit this wonderful country.”

—Zaneta Threlfall, Scotland

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"We zijn in maart 2023 een aantal dagen met Ansu meegeweest om vogels te kijken. Ansu is een deskundige, rustige gids. Neemt alle tijd om de vogels te zien. Is zorgzaam, attent en hij geeft je een enorme mooie inkijk in Gambia. Niet alleen de mooie vogels, ook andere diersoorten, de planten, bomen en bloemen en natuurlijk de inwoners van Gambia. We hebben een enorm waardevolle vogel vakantie in Gambia beleefd dankzij Ansu. Het beviel zo goed dat we binnenkort weer gaan. Dan gaan we met Ansu de binnenlanden in. We kunnen niet wachten.”

—Cootje & Marianne, The Netherlands

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“Our second 5-day birdwatching tour with Ansu was perfect again! We saw a lot of birds during our walks in the forest, in the rice fields, and our boat trip in the Kotu creek. He has a lot of knowledge of the birds and excellent eyes! He was very polite, friendly, punctual and patient.”

—Johan and Monique, Belgium