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GTBoard promotes Gambia as Africa’s Birding Paradise at Global Birdfair

Jul 14, 2025, 11:29 AM | Article By: Yunus S. Saliu

The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), in collaboration with The Gambia Experience and the Birdwatchers Association of The Gambia, participated in the Global Birdfair 2025 held from July 11th to 13th at Rutland Water, United Kingdom.
The event served as a platform to promote Destination Gambia as a premier birdwatching location.

Recognised as the world’s largest annual celebration of birds, the Global Birdfair attracts bird lovers, conservationists, and eco-tourism stakeholders from around the globe. This year’s edition hosted participants from over 65 countries, drawing more than 10,000 attendees in support of global bird conservation efforts.

The 2025 Global Birdfair Conservation Project focused on Safeguarding Ocean Species, with particular emphasis on protecting seabirds in the southern Pacific by promoting by-catch mitigation on long-line fishing vessels.

The Gambia’s presence at the Birdfair provided a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s rich avian biodiversity, which boasts over 550 recorded bird species. With its diverse habitats, the country continues to attract birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts worldwide, cementing its status as one of Africa’s top birding destinations.

Leading the GTBoard delegation was Adama Njie, director of Tourism Promotion at GTBoard’s UK Office. A highlight of The Gambia's participation was a well-received presentation at the Plover Marquee by Yahya Barry, a member of the Birdwatchers Association of The Gambia. His talk on the country’s birding, on ‘Why The Gambia Is Famous For Birdwatching In West Africa’ appeal, drew over 80 international birdwatchers and enthusiasts.

The Gambian delegation's engagement at the fair was met with enthusiasm and curiosity, as the country was widely promoted as an accessible, ecologically rich destination for birdwatching adventures.