The Gambia tours & holidays
The smallest country in continental Africa leaves a big, big impression
Although petite in size, The Gambia is a powerhouse of biodiversity. With an abundance of different ecosystems and nature reserves, you don't have to travel far to see some amazing wildlife. Although this part of West Africa is a birdwatchers' paradise with over 600 species of birds, you'll also want to be on the lookout for Nile crocodiles, hippos, spitting cobras and monkeys. Your camera is a non-negotiable for a trip to the Gambia.
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The Gambia at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Banjul (population 480,000)
POPULATION
2.7 million
CURRENCY
GMD
LANGUAGE
English (official), Wolof, Mandinka, Fula
TIME ZONE
(GMT) Casablanca
CALLING CODE
+220
ELECTRICITY
Type G (Irish/British 3-pin) Type C (European 2-pin)
Learn more about The Gambia
Best time to visit The Gambia
The best time to visit Gambia is from November to February when temperatures are pleasant, and there’s little humidity. Conveniently, this is also the best time to spot birds and wildlife as the country is green and lush.
The average temperature rises between mid-February and April, and humidity can be oppressive. Intense periods of rain have been known to wash away some of the roads.
Geography and environment
Completely surrounded by Senegal save for its 80-kilometre stretch of coastline, the Gambia is an exceptionally flat country. The highest point is only 53 metres above sea level. The country’s namesake river begins in the east and travels among tropical rainforests before gradually giving way to mangrove swamps and coastlines. Further from the river, savannahs and plantation woodlands dot the landscape.
Top 5 Gambian drinks
1. Bissap
Blood-red and extremely sweet, bissap (or manjo) is an infused herbal tea made from the flowers of the hibiscus plant, and it’s the nation’s number one drink. Typically flavoured with ginger or mint, it makes for a refreshing midday beverage. And with preliminary studies recently suggesting that it may reduce blood pressure, you may well return home in better shape than you left.
2. Ataaya
As much a social rite as a no-holds-barred caffeine injection, try the three-glass Ataaya ceremony when you’re looking to recharge the batteries or make some local friends. One part Chinese green tea leaves to two parts sugar, three parts water and a bunch of mint – think of it as the teetotaller’s mojito.
3. Kinkeliba
Brewed from the leaves of the local Kinkeliba plant, this strong, sweet herbal tea is mostly drunk as a breakfast tonic or at dusk during Ramadan when its appetite-stimulant qualities assist in gorging on the evening meal.
4. Bouyi
A thick, syrupy juice made from the fruit of the baobab, this ultra-sweet libation imparts an unmatched sugar high and is certainly more appetising than its ungainly tree would have you expect.
5. JulBrew
Described by some beer buffs as evoking aromas of hay, boiled vegetables, canned corn and cardboard, Gambia’s national beer is probably unlikely to scoop any international beer awards. But knocked back on a white sandy beach while being buffed by delightful sea breezes, you’re hardly likely to care.
The Gambia travel FAQs
Most nationalities will need to obtain a visa in advance to travel to The Gambia.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
A 10% service charge is usually added to the bill in established restaurants, bars, hotels and taxis — but feel free to tip more than this for exceptional service. At restaurants where a service charge isn’t included, 10% is the acceptable gratuity.
Although tipping at other places isn't mandatory it will be much appreciated given the low wages that Gambian service workers are typically paid. Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is also a good idea.
Tap water isn't safe to drink in The Gambia. Hotels and lodges will often provide filtered water, and your local leader is always available to help. Water filtration tablets are often helpful for peace of mind.
The internet connection can be a little slow in some remote areas, especially in towns further inland. Hotels, cafes and bars in Banjul usually have wi-fi with reliable connectivity.
Mobile phone coverage is good in The Gambia’s large cities and towns but less so in rural areas. If you plan to use your mobile phone, ensure you have global roaming activated or download an eSIM before leaving home.
ATMs can be found at banks in urban areas like Banjul and Serrekunda, though they aren’t always reliable. Due to credit card and bank fraud, caution is advised when using these, and some ATMs may only allow withdrawals of fairly small amounts.
The Gambia is primarily a cash-based economy. Credit cards are generally only accepted at top-end hotels and at some high-end restaurants in Banjul. We recommend you carry enough local currency on your trip.
Fairly clean western-style toilets can generally be found in Banjul and the towns on the Atlantic Coast. In towns and villages further inland, squat/pit toilets are the norm. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as this is rarely provided.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State