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Gambia travel guide
Sunny beaches, river cruises and birdwatching paradise.
The Gambia is mainland Africa's smallest country, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River. Its Atlantic beaches are popular for winter sun, and the river and forests are among West Africa's best places for birdwatching.
Travel tools
Getting there
Banjul International Airport at Yundum receives flights from Europe and West Africa; land borders connect with Senegal, including the route via the Senegambia Bridge, and ferries cross the river between Banjul and Barra.
Best time to visit: Nov–May – dry, sunny and warm.
Tougher months: July to September is the rainy season, humid with heavy downpours, though landscapes are lush and birdlife abundant.
Weather by month in Banjul
- 31°J
- 32°F
- 32°M
- 31°A
- 30°M
- 31°J●
- 30°J●●●
- 30°A●●●
- 31°S●●●
- 32°O●
- 32°N
- 31°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Africa/Abidjan. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 132 of 198 other passports can enter Gambia without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 66 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of the Gambia (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-01-16). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Gambia travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Gambia are based around Kololi and the Senegambia Strip, Banjul or Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$30–50 for a backpacker and US$70–130 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Gambia page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +220.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Kololi and the Senegambia Strip (Atlantic coast · resorts): The main tourist hub with beaches, restaurants and nightlife.
- Banjul (River mouth · capital): A small, historic capital with Albert Market and the Arch 22 monument.
- Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh (North Bank · heritage): UNESCO-listed sites central to the story of the slave trade.
- Abuko Nature Reserve (Western Region · forest): A pocket of gallery forest with monkeys, crocodiles and excellent birdlife.
- River Gambia National Park (Central River Region · chimpanzees): Islands where rehabilitated chimpanzees live, viewed from a boat.
- Janjanbureh (Central River Region · river town): A historic island town and base for exploring upriver wildlife and stone circles.
- Tanji and Kartong (Southern coast · fishing villages): Lively fish markets, lagoons and quieter beaches near the Senegal border.
- Makasutu Culture Forest (Western Region · mangroves): Palm groves, creeks and cultural performances in a protected forest.
Things to do
- Cruise the river. Take a multi-day boat trip upriver past mangroves, hippos and the chimpanzees of the Baboon Islands.
- Visit Kunta Kinteh Island. Explore the fort ruins and nearby Juffureh to learn about the transatlantic slave trade.
- Go birdwatching. Spot kingfishers, bee-eaters and raptors at Abuko, Tanji and Kotu, where hundreds of species are recorded.
- Watch the Tanji fish landing. See colourful pirogues haul in the catch at one of the coast's busiest fishing beaches.
- Meet the crocodiles of Kachikally. Visit Bakau's sacred crocodile pool, revered for its fertility blessings.
- Paddle Makasutu. Glide through mangrove creeks by dugout canoe in a forest reserve near Brikama.
- See the Wassu stone circles. Walk among ancient megaliths in the Central River Region.
- Relax on the beach. Lounge on sandy shores from Kololi and Cape Point to the quieter southern coast at Kartong.
Source: full Gambia guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Domoda – peanut stew with meat and rice
- Benachin – one-pot rice with fish or meat
- Yassa – chicken or fish in lemon and onion sauce
- Superkanja – okra stew with fish
Source: RoamSun Gambia guide
Money and safety
Currency: Gambian dalasi (GMD). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants; tip guides.
Emergency numbers: 117 police · 116 ambulance · 118 fire.
- The currency is the Gambian dalasi; cash is king outside the resort areas.
- ATMs are found in the coastal towns but may not accept all foreign cards, so bring backup cash.
- The Gambia is generally safe, but be firm and polite with 'bumsters' who offer unsolicited guiding on beaches.
- Watch for strong currents and only swim where locals do.
Source: RoamSun Gambia facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Gambia?
Nov–May – dry, sunny and warm. Tropical, with a dry season from Nov to May and rains Jun–Oct.
What time zone is Gambia in?
Gambia uses Africa/Abidjan.
Do I need a visa for Gambia?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 132 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 66 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Gambia use?
Gambia uses plug type G at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Gambia?
The international calling code for Gambia is +220.
Do you tip in Gambia?
About 10% in restaurants; tip guides.
What is the emergency number in Gambia?
117 police · 116 ambulance · 118 fire.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Gambia?
Traffic drives on the right.