The Gambia’s birdwatching expert, Malick Suso, has been crowned Wildlife & Safari winner at the Wanderlust World Guide Awards, 2023.

Malick, a guide for The Gambia Experience with more than 20 years of expertise, has worked alongside top UK naturalists and TV presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

A panel of judges, which included travel experts John Telfer, Paul Goldstein and Mark Carwardine were responsible for whittling down the nominations to find the most exceptional guides. Malick was announced the winner in the Wildlife & Safari category in an online ceremony held on 29 June.

Chirs Packham who also appeared in the virtual ceremony, had described Malick as the ‘very best’ at his craft and said:

"Put simply, Malick Suso is one of the best birders I have met anywhere on Earth, his knowledge and understanding of avian behaviour, physiology and ecology is top-rate and his recognition skills are phenomenal. He has a great sense of humour and critically an outstanding ability to communicate with people of all ages and abilities about wildlife, the environment and the Gambia’s history. I first met him in 1995 and have co-toured with him more than 25 times in the Gambia and Senegal. His bird mimicking skills, calling to species to lure them out, are legendary. He is honest, decent, diplomatic and sensitive, not just to the needs of his clients but also to cultural and political issues. He is without question the best guide I have ever worked with anywhere."

Springwatch TV presenter Megan McCubbin who also appeared live at the virtual ceremony, will be leading bird tours with Malick for The Gambia Experience in January 2024.

For more information on birdwatching tours in The Gambia, visit https://www.gambia.co.uk/holiday-ideas/birdwatching-holidays  or call 01489 866939.

ENDS

The Gambia Experience (Gambia.co.uk) is a trade name of Serenity Holidays, an independent and fully bonded tour operator under ATOL 1866 and a member of ABTOT 5216, ABTA and AITO. The company is the UK’s leading specialist to The Gambia and offers wide-ranging holidays, wildlife and cultural experiences.

For more information on this press release, contact Louise Thomas:press-office@serenityholidays.co.uk,