According to commit4fitness, the Gambia is the smallest country in Africa bordering only Senegal. The Gambia is only 250 kilometers long and several tens of kilometers wide. The Gambia is characterized by the Gambia River that runs right through the entire country. The capital of Gambia is Banjul. A number of large cities in The Gambia are: Brikama, Bakau and Farafenni.
The Gambia is known for its tropical nature. There are many animal species, including many colorful birds. In addition, the ancient monkey bread tree is also found in The Gambia. The Gambia has a high cultural content with many different influences in the field of dance and music. In addition, the country has a long history of slavery. Slaves from the Gambia were traded worldwide (mainly between 1650 and 1850). Old slave houses can still be found along the Gambia River. Furthermore, the country is known for the many fishermen who catch fresh fish every night and the traditional wrestling. About 75% of the population lives from animal husbandry and agriculture. On the coast of Gambia you will find beautiful sandy beaches. The Gambia, unlike many other African countries, is known as a safe country.
Where is Gambia located?
Travel information of Gambia
Official name: Republic of the Gambia
Continent: Africa
Area: 11,295 km²
Capital: Banjul
Country code: GM, GMB
Population: 2,173,999 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 53 m
Distance (Amsterdam – Banjul): 4,721 km
Flight time: approx. 6 hour
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in The Gambia that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of The Gambia, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to The Gambia. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about The Gambia?
Weather and climate
The Gambia has a subtropical climate. The temperature varies throughout the year between 25 and 30 degrees.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for The Gambia can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of The Gambia can be found at Climate info.
Best time
January, February, March, April, May, November and December are the best months to travel to The Gambia. This avoids the rainy season, the heat and pleasantly cools down in the evenings.
Language
English is the official language in The Gambia. In addition, various dialects and tribal languages are spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into English for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in The Gambia.
A visa is not necessary if you stay in Gambia for less than 90 days.
You must pay a departure tax of approximately 20 euros per person upon departure from the Gambia.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Dutch embassy in Senegal (also for Gambia): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Gambia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of the Gambia in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of Gambia in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
For a visit to The Gambia it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in The Gambia. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In The Gambia, payment is made with the Gambian dalasi (GMD).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in The Gambia can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices in The Gambia are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -53% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (52% cheaper), food (52% cheaper), imported beer in catering (55% cheaper), cigarettes (82% cheaper) and public transport (94% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In The Gambia it is customary to tip. If no service costs have been calculated yet, a tip of approximately 10% is given.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 2 hours earlier in The Gambia.
During our winter time it is 1 hour earlier in The Gambia.
The Gambia has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Gambia can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In The Gambia you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in The Gambia. However, you must show the Dutch driving license to the authorities upon arrival in The Gambia.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within The Gambia.
Electricity
In The Gambia you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets in The Gambia can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 117
– Fire: 118
– Ambulance: 116
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to The Gambia can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Gambia can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Gambia end in.gm.
Gambia official website: visitthegambia.gm.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in The Gambia is 00220 or +220.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Gambia? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of The Gambia.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from The Gambia.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Gambia.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in The Gambia can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in The Gambia, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Gambia?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited The Gambia. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in The Gambia can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in The Gambia can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to The Gambia? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with The Gambia, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about The Gambia, including: opportunities, import and export rules, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to The Gambia.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18. Forbidden for Muslims.
– Alcohol and traffic: Maximum allowed alcohol content is 0.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed
Did you know that…
…The Gambia is divided in two by the Gambia River?
… The Gambia is even flatter than the Netherlands?
… The Gambia has no compulsory education?
…Approximately 90% of the population is Muslim?
…Slavery in The Gambia was only abolished in 1906?
…Between 1501 and 1856 12,000,000 slaves were transported from Gambia to America?
