Gambia
Mainland Africa's smallest country is a thin strip either side of the River Gambia, around six hours' flight from London and on GMT. Most visitors come for Atlantic beaches and birding, with more than 500 species recorded, but the river leads inland to Kunta Kinteh Island's slave-trade history, chimpanzee islands and ancient stone circles.
Overview
The Gambia follows its river inland for more than 300 kilometres, never more than about 50 kilometres wide and surrounded on three sides by Senegal. That shape decides the trip: most visitors base themselves on the short Atlantic coast between Bakau and Kartong, where hotels, fishing beaches and bird reserves sit close together, then take a trip upriver. Short excursions reach Abuko, Tanji and Makasutu; longer ones head to Kunta Kinteh Island, the old colonial town of Janjanbureh, the stone circles at Wassu and the chimpanzee islands of River Gambia National Park.
Winter sun is the big draw for British visitors: dry, warm days from November to May, a direct flight and no time difference in winter. Package hotels around Kololi and Kotu keep things easy, but independent travel is straightforward and good value, with eco-lodges and simple camps upriver. Birdwatchers arrive with long lists and leave with longer ones. What surprises people is how relaxed the pace is, and how persistent some beach hustlers, known as bumsters, can be; a firm, friendly no usually works.
Map of Gambia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Kunta Kinteh Island
A tiny UNESCO-listed island in the river where enslaved Africans were held before shipment across the Atlantic. Combine it with the museum at Albreda and the village of Juffureh, made famous by Alex Haley's 'Roots'.
- 2Wildlife
Abuko Nature Reserve
The country's oldest reserve squeezes gallery forest, a crocodile pool and bird hides into a small area about 20 minutes from the coast, with monkeys, monitor lizards and a good chance of turacos and kingfishers.
- 3Wildlife
River Gambia National Park
Five river islands near Kuntaur where rehabilitated chimpanzees live free; visitors watch from boats, never landing, alongside hippos and river birds. Most trips stay at lodges around Janjanbureh or Kuntaur.
- 4History
Wassu Stone Circles
Part of the UNESCO-listed Senegambian stone circles, the laterite pillars at Wassu were raised over burials many centuries ago. A small museum on site explains what little is known about the people who built them.
- 5Culture
Tanji fishing beach
Every afternoon the brightly painted pirogues of Tanji land their catch on the sand, where women haggle, fish is gutted and smoked in long sheds, and the smell carries a long way. Go late afternoon for the busiest scenes.
Biggest cities
Serekunda
The Kanifing urban sprawl of markets and taxi ranks behind the resort strip; Serekunda market is chaotic and fascinating, and the area takes in Bakau's sacred Kachikally crocodile pool.
Brikama
A busy inland market town known for its woodcarvers' market and kora-playing griot families, easily combined with a visit to nearby Makasutu Culture Forest.
Banjul
The small capital on St Mary's Island at the river mouth: Albert Market, the National Museum, Arch 22 and the ferry to Barra make a half-day trip from the coast.
Serekunda's figure is the 2013 census total for Kanifing municipality, which includes Bakau; Brikama and Banjul are 2013 town figures. Sukuta (about 47,000) is larger than Banjul but merges into the Serekunda sprawl.
When to go to Gambia
Best time: Nov–May.
Average climate in Banjul
Festivals & events
- FebKartong Festival
A small, friendly festival of music, dance and culture in the southern fishing village of Kartong, with drumming, kora, wrestling and local food, usually held in February; confirm dates before booking.
- MarKoriteh
The end of Ramadan is one of the country's biggest celebrations, with new clothes, family feasts and visits to relatives; many businesses close for a day or two.
- MayTobaski
Eid al-Adha, known here as Tobaski, sees families slaughter a ram and dress in their finest clothes; transport is packed in the days beforehand as people head home.
How much does Gambia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Domoda
The national dish: a rich groundnut stew with beef, chicken or fish, tomato and vegetables, served over a mound of rice.
Benachin
One-pot rice cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with fish or meat and vegetables, a cousin of jollof rice whose name means 'one pot' in Wolof.
Yassa
Chicken or fish marinated in lime juice, mustard and plenty of onions, then grilled and simmered into a sharp, sweet sauce.
Getting around
Green tourist taxis wait outside hotels at fixed, higher fares; yellow-and-green town taxis and shared minibuses (gele-geles) are far cheaper. Upriver, most visitors join an organised trip or hire a car and driver, using the main south-bank road. The Banjul–Barra ferry is slow and crowded, while the Senegambia Bridge at Farafenni is the reliable river crossing. There are no ride-hailing apps worth relying on.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- There is no equivalent to the UK’s 999 emergency number in The Gambia.
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +220
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Leave around 10% in restaurants if service isn't added; tip guides, drivers and boat crews, and carry small notes, as change is often short.
- Etiquette
- Greetings matter: ask how someone is before getting down to business. Dress modestly away from the beach, use your right hand for eating and giving, and ask before taking photos.
- Main airports
- Banjul International Airport (BJL), Banjul
Visas & entry for Gambia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You do not need a visa to visit The Gambia. You’ll get a stamp in your passport that allows you to stay for 28 days when you arrive.
You can get 2 extensions of 28 days from the Immigration Office in Banjul or the tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Gambia: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Gambia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 18 Feb 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 6 Mar 2027 | Laylat al-Qadr (date may shift) |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | Laylat al-Qadr (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 25 May 2027 | Africa Liberation Day |
| Tue 15 Jun 2027 | Ashura (date may shift) |
| Thu 22 Jul 2027 | July 22 Revolution Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day (observed) · Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Wolof
| English | Wolof | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Salaam aleekum | sa-LAAM a-LAY-koom |
| Thank you | Jërëjëf | JEH-reh-jef |
| Please | Su la neexee | soo la NEH-kheh |
| Excuse me | Baal ma | BAAL ma |
| How much is this? | Lii ñaata la? | lee NYAA-ta la |
Know before you go
- Bring sterling or euros in cash as a back-up: ATMs are concentrated on the coast and in larger towns, and Visa cards tend to work more widely than Mastercard.
- Bumsters may offer to guide or befriend you on the beach; a polite, firm 'no thank you' is usually enough, and official guides carry ID badges.
- Malaria is present year-round, so see a travel clinic about antimalarials, and use repellent and nets, especially during and just after the rainy season.
Gambia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Gambia?
The best time to visit Gambia is generally Nov–May. Peak months are January, February, March, April, May, November and December. Average highs in Banjul range from 30°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Gambia cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £75 mid-range and £160+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Gambia?
Gambian dalasi (GMD).
What plug type does Gambia use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Gambia?
Traffic drives on the right in Gambia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Gambia?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Gambia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa to visit The Gambia. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Gambia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/the-gambia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Gambia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
