Capital: Banjul
Time zone: GMT
Telephone services: Country Code: 220
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: 495 133 (Embassy)
Tourist information: Ministry of Information and Tourism, The Quadrangle, Banjul, The Gambia Tel: 228 496 Telex: 227 753.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Consult the appropriate consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.
Visa information: Visas for Tourist and Business are granted. Required by all except nationals of Commonwealth countries. Nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo. Nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK, for the purpose of tourism only for visits no longer than 3 months. Nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, for visits up to 3 months.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Present throughout the year in the falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all visitors over 1 year of age travelling from infected areas. Vaccination is recommended to all visitors planning to travel outside the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies are present. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Gambian Dalasi (Di) = 100 bututs
NOTE: currency must be declared on arrival and export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported. Black market currency exchange is strongly discouraged.
MasterCard and Visa are accepted in large towns only. Travellers cheques are accepted, US dollars and pound sterling are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Services and prices for tourists will generally be expensive.
Languages: English
Weather: Generally recognised to have the most agreeable climate in West Africa. Mid Nov- Mid May = dry in coastal areas. June – Oct = Raining season. Inland the cool season is shorter and day time temperatures are very hot between March and June.
Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50Hz. Plugs = either round or square 3 pin.
Post: Information Unavailable.
Transport: ROADS: Few paved roads of which most are impassable during the raining season. Road improvements programmes are in place. TAXIS: Fares should be settled in advance. CAR HIRE: Possible check with company before travelling. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. RIVER: Ferries operate on a frequent basis along the river which connects Barra Point to Banjul. A weekly ferry operates between Banjul and Basse.
Special information: NOTE: There is an uncertain political outlook therefore security could change without warning. Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit before departure. Beach wear is not suitable for towns. Visitors should respect the local laws and customs. Sea swimming can be dangerous.