The Gambia Travel Safety

General safety

Do not show signs of affluence and ensure that personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times. You should keep informed of local developments that could affect your safety. Tourist facilities are limited outside of Banjul.

Precautions

Ensure that your travel documents and valuable items are secure. Theft from vehicles has increased. Car doors should be locked and car windows closed at all times. Beware of men (so-called "bumsters") who offer to be tour guides, as they are likely to demand payment afterwards, even if that was not previously agreed upon. Politely decline any unsolicited offer. Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe. Do not bring valuables or large sums of money to the beach. Avoid isolated beaches.

Road safety

Most roads outside the capital are unpaved. Overland travel can be difficult without a four-wheel-drive vehicle, particularly during the rainy season. In the greater Banjul area, main roads are paved but are narrow, potholed and poorly lit. Avoid driving outside urban areas after dark. Contact the nearest police station if involved in a traffic accident. Police roadblocks are common throughout the country and identification documents may be requested. Stop at all security roadblocks and checkpoints and cooperate with local authorities.

Regional travel

Travellers have been attacked on roads leading north from Ziguinchor (Senegal) to Banjul (Gambia) and on Senegalese roads from Bignona to Senoba, which is near the Senegal's Gambia border. Be careful when travelling overland to the Casamance region in Senegal, as separatist rebels operate in this area. You should also consult the Travel Advice and Advisories for Senegal before departing. It is dangerous to cross the Gambia River on wooden pirogues,due to overcrowding and the lack of security measures.

Women's safety

In Gambia beware of "bumsters" - local men who approach tourists, particularly on beaches and tourist zones, offering help, to act as local guides or to enter into a relationship. Women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Fraud

Cases of attempted fraud occur.

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching is common, particularly in crowded markets and on ferries. Theft from hotel rooms is also common.

Culture

The majority of the population is Muslim. Gambia's customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to Islamic practices and beliefs. Exercise common sense and discretion in dress and behaviour. Dress conservatively: for women, knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable, women should avoid clothing that could be construed as revealing, such as miniskirts, shorts and sleeveless or low-cut (front or back) blouses and tops., and men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Gambia culture. During the lunar month of Ramadan, use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset.

LGBT

The laws of the Gambia prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted can face penalty upto life imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to the Gambia.

Illegal or restricted activities

The use of drugs is prohibited. Convicted offenders could be punished by detention or other penalties. Penalties for importing or exporting drugs or contraband are strict. Never accept packages from strangers and pack your luggage yourself. Libel, sedition and slander are criminal offences. Convicted offenders can expect prison terms without any option of a fine. Some medications and skin-bleaching creams are subject to strict import and export laws. Visitors could face fines and/or imprisonment if they arrive in the Gambia with substances containing betamethasone, clobetatol, clobetatone, fluocinonide, hydrocortisone or hydroquinone. Photography of airports, government buildings, military installations and embassies is prohibited.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is recommended.