The Gambia tours & holidays

Most nationalities will need to obtain a visa in advance to travel to The Gambia.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. 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 traveling 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 travelers, 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 travelers 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 travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

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 and urban centers in Banjul and around the Atlantic Coast, 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. Be sure to have other payment methods on hand when venturing out of the big cities. Visa is the most accepted card.

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.