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.
Note: Most items are available for purchase in The Gambia, including electronic items (hairdryers, converters, etc.), clothing, beach accessories, insect repellent, sunblock, medicines, feminine products, and other toiletry items (toothpaste for example can be found at most shops and is often sold at the markets). However, if you require specific items & brands, you may not find them here so it’s best to bring your own products. In addition, some items can be expensive costing the equivalent or more of what you would pay at home (such as contact-lens liquid).
Less then one month
Light travel clothing (cotton and linen is best, light coloured and some dark coloured for dusty upcountry trips etc.)
- shorts, skirts, dresses, preferably at or below the knee for women (out of respect of the Muslim presence)
- khakis/cargos (especially those that convert to shorts)
- pair of jeans (for women choose 3/4 length, capri-style)
- t-shirts
- tank-tops (vests) (for women, camisoles with a built in bra-shelf are best on those hot sticky days when wearing a bra may not be the best thing)
- light fabric long sleeve shirt
- sweater or pullover (jumper) (the evenings can sometimes be cool and windy during the months of December through May)
- nice outfit and shoes for dinner/dancing/going out
- comfortable and airy sandals (Teva and Chaco brands are recommended by the author)
- flip flops (Havaianas brand are very durable)
- hat and good quality polarized sunglasses (for women, add a scarf/pashmina which can double as a cover-up during cooler evenings)
- bathing suit/swimming trunks
- cotton socks and underwear (pants)
Travel accessories (small and compact)
- flashlight (torch)
- plug converter (if applicable)
- digital camera
- small first-aid kit (including malaria medication, painkillers, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-histamines, and iodine) *Go to a travel clinic for further advice.
- insect repellent and after-bite/insect bite care
- sunblock (suncream) (for lips also)
- aloe vera gel and calamine lotion (for after-sun care, rashes, insect bites, etc.)
- personal toiletries (razors, soaps, lotions, hair-care products, feminine products, contraceptives, make-up, etc.)
- guide book
- travel wallet (one you can hide under your clothing for example)
- day pack/beach bag
- waterproof watch
Optional
- laptop
- books and magazines
- MP3 player
- hair appliances (dryer, etc. though some hotels do offer hair dryers)
- outfit for the gym (trainers/runners and shorts)
- mobile phone with a removable SIM card
- deck of playing cards or other travel games
- binoculars (if interested in bird viewing)
- GPS (if planning on serious bush excursions, etc.)
- water bottle
- pyjama set
- umbrella (if coming during the rainy season)
One month or more
Light travel clothing (cotton and linen is best, light coloured and some dark coloured for dusty upcountry trips etc.)
- shorts, skirts, dresses, preferably at or below the knee for women (out of respect of the Muslim presence)
- khakis/cargos (especially those that convert to shorts)
- several pairs of jeans (for women, have at least one pair at 3/4 length, capri-style)
- light fabric long sleeve shirts
- t-shirts (polo-shirts and v-neck shirts are best)
- tank-tops (vests) (for women, camisoles with a built in bra-shelf are best on those hot sticky days when wearing a bra may not be the best thing)
- sweater or pullover (jumper) (the evenings can sometimes be cool and windy during the months of December through May)
- nice outfits and shoes for dinner/dancing/going out
- comfortable and airy sandals (Teva and Chaco brands are recommended by the author)
- flip flops (Havaianas brand are very durable) (one pair is enough as you can buy cheap flip flops later for less then D25 = US$1)
- hat and good quality polarized sunglasses (for women, add a scarf/pashmina which can double as a cover-up during cooler evenings)
- bathing suit/swimming trunks
- cotton socks and underwear (pants)
Travel accessories (small and compact)
- travel sheet/sleeping bag liner (silk is best, available at outdoor supply stores)
- travel towel (fast drying, also available at outdoor supply stores)
- flashlight (torch), wind-up variety is the best as batteries are not always available, also consider bringing a headlamp
- plug converter (if applicable)
- digital camera
- alarm clock
- pocket knife (swiss-army variety with bottle opener, etc.)
- small reading light that can be clamped on a book, for example
- large first-aid kit (preferably with sterile syringes and needles, and including painkillers, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-histamines, malaria treatment and preventative medication, ciprofloxacin for infections, anti-fungal medication - for women bring yeast infection/thrush treatment -, eye drops, thermometer, and iodine - very useful as an antiseptic and as a water sterilizer) *Go to a travel clinic for further advice.
- insect repellent and after-bite/insect bite care
- sunblock (suncream) (for lips and hair also)
- aloe vera gel and calamine lotion (for after-sun care, rashes, insect bites, etc.)
- personal toiletries (razors, soaps, lotions, hair-care products, feminine products, contraceptives, make-up, etc.)
- guide book
- travel wallet (one you can hide under your clothing for example)
- day pack
- beach bag (though these can be bought and/or made locally)
- waterproof watch
- small key-chain flashlight (torch)
Note: if you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you in case you lose or break your first pair. It is possible to get replacement eyeglasses in Banjul, though it could be expensive and they may not carry the type of lenses or frames you require. Contact lenses are available in Banjul though the variety will be limited.
Optional (though recommended)
- laptop (with some DVD's and/or games)
- memory stick (for use in the Internet cafés etc.)
- books and magazines
- MP3 player
- hair appliances (dryer, etc.)
- mobile phone with a removable SIM card
- deck of playing cards or other travel games
- binoculars (if interested in bird viewing)
- camping equipment (if planning on camping as equipment is not available in The Gambia)
- walking shoes for the bush
- vitamins
- GPS (if planning on serious bush excursions, etc.)
- water bottle
- short wave radio (for listening to BBC at night with locals)
- pyjama set
- umbrella (if staying during the rainy season)
- outfit for the gym (trainers/runners and shorts)
Mostly Cloudy 25 oC