gambia

The Gambia Travel Guide

Trek Zone
salaam aleikum
(asalam-u-alay-koom • Arabic)
Say hello
76°F
Sunday
73°F
Monday

Tourist season

Are April and May good months to visit The Gambia?

4

April

Semi-high
season

5

May

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting The Gambia for tourism.

Visa on arrival

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 26 to 31 USD

Tourist's budget
from 57 to 69 USD

Did you know?

The population of The Gambia is around 2.42 mil., which puts the country in 79. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Banjul (GM) and Washington D.C. (US) is 4056 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Banjul click here

Banjul
Banjul
Nema kunku
Lamin
Bakau
Brikama
Serekunda
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
4056
mi

Country Comparison

Compare The Gambia to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in The Gambia on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.

Update: 25 Mar 2024

Upcoming holidays

1 May 2024• May Day

25 May 2024• Africa Day

Currency

Dalasi (GMD) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 GMD
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.01381
72.3984
GBP
0.01191
83.98549
USD
0.01473
67.9
Update: 20 Apr 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to The Gambia

Map
Distance matrix
MilesSerekundaBanjulBrikamaJuffurehTanjiRiver Gambia National ParkMacCarthy IslandYundum
Serekunda-8112391181307
Banjul8-1215161091229
Brikama1112-19101171294
Juffureh231519-279810919
Tanji9161027-1241378
River Gambia National Park11810911798124-15116
MacCarthy Island13012212910913715-128
Yundum794198116128-

Best Ways to Experience The Gambia

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 26 to 31 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 57 to 69 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in The Gambia via the Prices link

Currency

More

Dalasi (GMD)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • GMD
  • USD
GMD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • GMD
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 20 April 2024
DalasiDalasiDalasiDalasi

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in The Gambia.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in The Gambia

Wysokie

Areas with malaria

All

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥9 months of age.

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.Infection occurs through droplets - through contact with the secretion of the patient or the host, e.g. when coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing cutlery or dishes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals
This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagThe Gambia for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa on arrival

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • International Certificate of Vaccination required.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In The Gambia the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

79 / 231
Ranking
2 416 668
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%)

Area

80 / 232
Ranking
4.4 thous. mi²

Life expectancy

76 / 221
Ranking
66.2
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 63.8women 68.6

Median age

76 / 222
Ranking
21.8
Average age of population expressed in years.men 21.5women 22.2

Population growth

75 / 224
Ranking
1.82%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

71 / 210
Ranking
50.8%
Ability to read, write and count.men 61.8%women 41.6%

GDP

66 / 194
Ranking
2 274 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Senegal, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder