When to Go
The temperatures in The Gambia remain fairly constant, with the weather being the mildest along the coastline, and the amount and duration of rainfall lessens as you head inland. November to March sees the least rain and most sun, with the mercury making a small climb during the day to peak consistently around 32°C.
Red Tape
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Gambian authorities, however, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of The Gambia to determine who is allowed to enter.
What to Pack
Below are two lists of what would be recommended to pack for travel to The Gambia. The first list would be for those that are spending less than one month here, likely only one or two weeks (in which case you may want to leave your mobile and laptop at home, after all, you are on a holiday!), the second list is for those staying one month or more, perhaps three months, or even a year or more.
How to Get Here
By air
The Gambia is only about a six hour flight away from many European cities with little or no change in time zones, so it is an easy getaway, whether you are going for one week or several months or more. There are direct charter flights (generally cheaper) from the UK and cities such as Amsterdam, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Madrid.
Getting Around
Villages, towns, and well-known areas of The Gambia
To get an idea of some of the areas referred to in the various sections of this guide (and when using public transport), below is a list of some of the villages and areas and their descriptions, plus a map.
Where to Stay
The Gambia offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury resort hotels, self-catering apartments and guesthouses, to sophisticated spa and eco-lodges and upcountry mud-hut-style housing and bush camping.
What and Where to Eat and Drink
A large variety of fruits and vegetables are available throughout the year, though many are seasonal. Oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, melons, papayas, mangoes, avocados, strawberries, passion fruit, apples, bananas, pineapples, dates, coconuts, ground nuts (peanuts), cashew nuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergine (eggplant), courgette (zucchini), lettuce, onions, spring onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, green beans, maize (corn), okra, peppers, and herbs (mint, parsley, dill, coriander/cilantro) can be found at many market stalls, though of course not all at the same time.
Nightlife
Many of the hotels offer some form of evening entertainment, such as a lively stage show, an African dance troupe or live music from various instrument players. There are also several casinos in the resort areas.
What to See and Do
There is a broad range of activities and things to do in The Gambia, including land-based tours in a 4x4, river excursions, golfing, swimming, fishing, up-country trips, market shopping, visiting museums and villages, micro-flights, nature park walks, bird-watching, quad rentals, car rentals, bike rentals, horseback riding, camel riding, and much more. Below are some of the popular activities:
The Beaches
Of course many tourists come to The Gambia to enjoy the beaches. Though much of the coastline has eroded, there's still plenty of beach for everyone, ranging from popular tourist spots near the resorts, to quiet, endless sand and surf all to yourself outside of the hotel ranges.
Shopping, Arts and Crafts
Shopping:
Bold fabrics, colourful beaded jewelry, wooden carvings, tin or brass figurines, toys crafted from soda cans, recycled paper journals (from the Paper Recycling Skills Project), sarongs (useful as a skirt, scarf, sheet, wall hanging, and beach towel - though watch the ink!), batiks (paintings on fabric made with a wax-resist dyeing technique), djembes (local drums), leather goods, items handcrafted out of straw, African music cassettes and CDs, and many more things are worth purchasing here in The Gambia. Try some of the following areas for good shopping:
Weddings in The Gambia
With guaranteed sun, lovely beaches, and all the facilities, having a wedding in The Gambia is a wonderful idea. Most if not all of the resorts and hotels will gladly help you make the arrangements, as will various tour operators.
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