Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Ginevrajocosa88, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Gambia is a small, narrow country along the length of the Gambia River in West Africa, almost completely surrounded by Senegal. Besides beaches and wildlife, The Gambia is known for the town of Juffureh, made famous by Alex Haley's Roots. It is known as the Smiling Coast. Famed for its warm winter weather, the Gambia's inland landscape provides lush river scenery and spiritual cultures.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Gambia.
Cards and cash
If you have a Visa credit or debit card and don't use a PIN or you forgot it, then the only bank that can help you out is (the bigger) GT Bank in Banjul, which only requires your card, your passport, and your signature.
English
Languages spoken in The Gambia are English (the official language), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Sarrancule and other indigenous languages.
Africell is the major 4G operator in the country and sell points can be found nearly everywhere.
Residents say the tap water is drinkable, but for travelers bottled or boiled water is advised, because you may get sick from the different minerals and microbes in the water.
Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended. Meningitis vaccination is recommended. Anti-malaria pills are also necessary. Most cases of malaria in The Gambia are contracted between June and December.
Always ask before you take a photo of anyone. Some Gambians have certain beliefs about having their picture taken, in particular by a stranger.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital
Bintang is a small village in Gambia.
Brikama is a city in Western Gambia and with a population of over 57,000, one of the largest in the Gambia.
Brufut is a city in the Gambia.
Gunjur is a town at the Atlantic Ocean in the Gambia.
Janjanbureh is a city in Upriver Gambia.
Juffureh is a small town in the Gambia on the North Bank of the Gambia River, most famous as the reputed origin of Alex Haley's ancestor Kunta Kinte, as described in Haley's novel Roots.
Serekunda is the largest city in the Gambia.
one of the largest and most important wildlife reserves in the country.
Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly called James Island, is an island in the Gambia River, 30 km from the river mouth. The island and some nearby areas are on the UNESCO World Heritage List because they have important relics of the West African slave trade.
Places in Gambia on the World Heritage List.
Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Listed 2006
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Gambia.
By boat
The Gambia River is navigable the entire length of the country.
By taxi
There are two types of cabs: green ones (tourist cabs) and yellow ones (regular cabs). Green cabs are expensive and the price is regardless of the number of passengers.
By car
A 4WD is recommended if you plan to rent a car, since the roads often are in bad condition and only a minority is paved.
Guided tours
There are many companies that offer guided tours in The Gambia.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Gambia.
Finding apps for Gambia…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Banjul (Yundum) · International · BJL
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Banjul
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 19° | 18° | 19° | 19° | 21° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 25° | 21° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 2 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 45 | 169 | 290 | 224 | 67 | 6 | 2 |
| Humidity | 57% | 61% | 68% | 76% | 80% | 80% | 82% | 84% | 84% | 79% | 68% | 61% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$90
Per person, per day
Luxury
$230
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $50 | $135 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $40 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2024). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin The Gambia due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Crime Petty street crime and home burglaries happen often in The Gambia. This is most common in the Banjul area and tourist spots. Do not display cash and valuable personal property. Avoid walking alone, including on beaches, in tourist areas, and after dark. Unrest A separatist rebel group operates in the Casamance region of southern Senegal. There has been sporadic fighting along The Gambia’s southern border in the recent past. Stay on main roads and do not travel at night if travelling near or across the southern border. Health The Gambia’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Gambia.
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsLasting from the 1500s to the 1800s, the Atlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity of extraordinary proportions, leaving a huge mark on four continents and irreversibly changing world history and geopolitics.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkColourful and diverse, street food is an experience you can find in cities and towns all around the world. It's generally convenient and cheap, but its appeal goes far beyond that.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyAs the origin of humankind, Africa has been the home of many nations and kingdoms. While ancient North African civilizations such as ancient Egypt and Carthage are famous in Europe and elsewhere, most pre-colonial…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyMegaliths are large stone structures erected by prehistoric people in many parts of Europe and a few places in the Middle East. The monuments were probably used for religious, ritual or astronomical purposes.
Wikivoyage
Europe is a continent that is relatively small but with many independent countries. Under normal circumstances, travelling through multiple countries would mean having to go through visa applications and passport…
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
