Just a few of the many appreciative reviews JJ receives.
"JJ is an excellent guide with superb knowledge of the birds of The Gambia. He is very sharp and can quickly pick up birds by sight and sound. JJ is well organised, punctual and extremely good company in the field."
Dawn Balmer, British Trust for Ornithology, UK
21 March, 2006
"I found JJ to be a very reliable and trustworthy birdwatcher. Appointment times have been greatly respected and prices were relatively reasonable. I will not hesistate to recommend him to any person willing to visit the Gambia for the purpose of Birding, Nature and Culture. A memorable experience awaits any visitor who takes the opportunity to work with JJ. Alan Bettis, Sweden."
Alan Bettis
29 March, 2006
"I visited The Gambia, with my husband Robin, for the first time in February 2006. JJ came highly recommended to us by a friend who is a professional ornithologist who used his services during an earlier visit. I went primarily for the amazing flora (not to mention the sun!) but, nevertheless, went out on all the birdwatching trips with my husband. I was just so impressed by JJ's ability to recognise birds by sight but also by their calls and behaviour. He pointed out birds in a number of locations which we would never have seen without his expert guidance. He organised all the excursions we took - including a 2 day overnight trip to Tendaba Camp - right down to the last detail leaving us free to concentrate on things we wanted to see and do. I have arthritis and find carrying a backpack painful. I need not have worried as JJ insisted on carrying things for me and was always there to lend a helping hand when I needed it. During one very short week we saw over 160 species of birds and we are planning to go back so that we can improve on that! We will definitely contact JJ before going to arrange our trips. I would unreservedly recommend JJ to anyone who wishes to have an unforgettable, hassle-free, birdwatching holiday in The Gambia at very reasonable rates. "
Dr Diana Arundale
15 April, 2006
"In 2005 I joined 2 friends on a last minute trip to the Gambia, we were all experienced birders and did not really like the idea of using a guide and being shown the birds, we wanted to find them for ourselves ( even if we couldn’t id them at first!). We spent the first day birding by ourselves in the local area and hotel grounds but decided very quickly that we wanted to get out into the country and away from the tourist areas, so JJ entered the scene and we were so impressed with his skills and enjoyed his company so much during our first day together that we spent the rest of our time in the Gambia with him. Aside from the birds I or rather we or to be truthful mostly JJ found, it was JJ’s company and gentle approach that made the trip for us, very quickly it was like birding with an old friend, we were all able to joke about dubious identification from all sides, put things right and even ended up recording 250+ species in week. A key aspect from our point of view was that JJ actually listened to what we wanted to do, we were out to enjoy the Gambia, see plenty of wildlife, enjoy the people and the habitats, the fact that we saw a huge number of species was a direct result of JJ’S deep knowledge of his country’s avifauna and a well though out site itinerary. If you are after a passionate guide who is a birder himself and has a great knowledge of his country’s natural history, whether for general wildlife watching or more intensive species bagging I would find it hard, well actually impossible to recommend anyone better than JJ."
Ian Simms, Pricipal Ornithologist, EcologyUK
12 July, 2006
