Gambia is a small and fantastic country, only six hours flight from Western Europe, and the perfect introduction to African birding. European migrants also are plentiful and easily approachable. The Gambian bird list is in excess of 540 species. More than 200 species can be easily seen on a leisurely two week holiday, along coastal areas and more inland, where bird guiding may be very useful to view more special and less common species. In this respect, a trip up the Gambia river is also very recommendable.