“We visited the Gambia in 2019 and were recommended Essa by a fellow birder we met at Kotu Bridge. We booked him for a days birdwatching in Farusato Forest community reserve and were blown away by the sheer number and diversity of species in this relatively small area. After this fantastic experience, we returned to Gambia in 2026 and booked Essa for a week long birding tour of coastal Gambia and a trip upriver to Tenbada camp.
From the onset, Essa’s communication was great and was very helpful in suggesting an itinerary that would provide a range of habitats and maximise the number of species. He is an exceptional birder, who has the ability to hear, locate and identify birds very efficiently. He obviously loves what he does, and will adapt his style to see as many species as possible or foster a more relaxed experince for photographers or those who just want to take in the surroumdings. I would throughly recommend Essa as a bird guide if you want to experience the amazing birdlife of The Gambia”.
Dr Marc Suller, Guildford, UK
“I had the pleasure of being guided by Essa during a birding trip to The Gambia in 2022, and I can definately recommend him. He is very professional, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what he does. What really stood out was his enthusiasm – he always tried to sow us as many bird species as possible and made sure we didnt miss anything. His positive energy made the whole experience even better.
He’s also a very cherrful and easygoing person, which made every day enjoyable. One of the most memorable moments was when he invited us to his home for a meal with his family. It was a truly special experience and gave us a real insight into local life. He aslo shared a lot about his country, which was both interesting and inspiring. If you’re planning a birding trip to The Gambia, he’s a fantastic choice”.
Jose Marquuez, Spain
“I would thoroughly recommend Essa Toray as a bird guide if you are coming to The Gambia. Essa knows his birds and where to find them. A birdwatching friend and myself spent two weeks in February and had the services of Essa and Sam, his driver, for eight days. We visited several birdwatching sites, local to Senegambia, including Kotu Bridge, Tanji Bird Reserve, Brufut Wood and Farasuto Wood.
Travelling a bit further, we visited Killy Wood, Marakissa and Kartong Ponds. We also spent three days inland up the Gambia river where we saw some great birds. Altogether, we saw 252 species on our trip. If you are looking for a guided tour that can be tailored to your needs then Essa Touray will make your trip a memorable occasion. We have booked to come back to The Gambia in November and will be using Essa as our guide”.
Russell Hayes and Gary Wright, UK