Yankuba Jammeh

Yankuba Jammeh is a professional birding guide based in the renowned Kotu Creek birding area of The Gambia. He has been organising and leading specialist birding tours since 2008. Born and raised in rural Gambia, Yankuba developed a deep connection to birds and wildlife from an early age, shaped by daily life close to the natural environment. This passion was further refined through his volunteer work at Abuko Nature Reserve, where he honed his field skills while guiding visitors through the reserve’s rich diversity of birdlife, flora, and fauna.

After completing his secondary education, Yankuba joined the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management as a volunteer. Through dedication, patience, and extensive time in the field, he trained and qualified as a professional bird-watching guide - building a reputation for his calm presence, sharp identification skills, and thoughtful interpretation of the natural world.

In 2009, he joined the Gambia Bird Guide Association, where he has held key administrative roles, including Secretary General. Over the years, Yankuba has worked closely with national tourism stakeholders, supported visiting wildlife journalists and editorial teams, and led annual tours for international birding groups. He has also played an active role in initiatives promoting The Gambia as one of West Africa’s premier birding destinations.

Away from the busier trails, Yankuba’s favourite places are bird hides, where he enjoys quietly observing and photographing wildlife. These moments of stillness allow him to study bird behaviour in detail while appreciating the wider rhythms of the landscape.

One of his most memorable experiences in the field came while guiding two Dutch photographers, when he initially identified a falcon as a Red-necked Falcon. On later review of the photographs, he confirmed the bird was an Amur Falcon - a species not previously recorded in The Gambia. The discovery remains a deeply rewarding moment in his career and a highlight of his lifelong passion for birds.

With exceptional local knowledge, strong organisational expertise, and a warm, professional approach to guiding, Yankuba now focuses on welcoming travellers of all backgrounds to The Gambia - delivering seamless logistics, expert interpretation, and high-quality on-the-ground support for travellers from across the world.

Home location: The Gambia

Guides in: The Gambia & Senegal

Languages: English

Daily rate: $