Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you looking for a travel guide for The Gambia? Or just looking for a few things to do in The Gambia. You have certainly come to the right place. I never considered that I would travel the Gambia. However, on my quest to travel more of Africa, I knew that The Gambia was necessary.
The Gambia may be one of Africa’s smallest countries, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s a country that is full of heart and soul. There are so many things to do in the Gambia despite its size. After the buzz of Lagos, The Gambia gave me a much-needed pause: warm hospitality, powerful history, and serene nature.
You can actually be feeding monkeys in the forest or learning to make Chicken Yassa in a local kitchen, or just be at the beaches in The Gambia. The country reminds you that travel isn’t just about movement; it’s about meaning. Here’s a travel guide for The Gambia, with everything I ate, did, where I stayed and much more.
Related post – Travel Guide for Dakar Senegal: 5 Amazing Days and Cooking in The Gambia: Yassa, Wonjo & Community in the Smiling Coast
About The Gambia – Banjul
The Gambia is a narrow West African country bordered entirely by Senegal, so if you’re visiting one, it’s easy to add the other to your itinerary. You can read how I do this with the West Africa Travel Guide for Nigeria, The Gambia and Senegal.
The Gambia is known for its rich ecosystems along the Gambia River and its laid-back, beachy charm. Compared to Lagos, Banjul felt like a breath of fresh air-less chaos, more calm.
Things to Note Before you Travel The Gambia
- Currency: Gambian Dalasi (GMD). Cash is king. You may find some ATMs or card-friendly spots in tourist areas, but it’s best to bring GBP, USD, or EUR in small notes for local exchange.
- Visa: British, American, and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. You may be asked for proof of onward travel and a Yellow Fever certificate.
- Plug type: The Gambia uses Type G plugs, which are the same as the UK. No adapter needed if you’re coming from Britain. If you are from North America, you will need an adapter for The Gambia.
Travelling The Gambia from Nigeria
I travelled from Lagos to Banjul via Air France. I couldn’t book a flight directly on their website. If you are seeking to book a flight from Lagos to Banjul, I suggest booking via a reliable third-party body, which is what I would have done had I not had the option to book via a family member.
The flight was only around 3 hours. Please note that there are only a few direct flights from Lagos to Banjul a week, so you must be well prepared. You can also fly in quickly via Tap Portugal. There are very few direct flights from the UK to Gambia, and from the US and Canada, there are no direct flights.
5-Day The Gambia Travel Guide
I travelled to The Gambia and Senegal with Ajala Travel Tours. If you are looking for a budget-friendly group trip, this is fantastic! Here is what I got up to, all planned by Ajala Travel:
Here are some things to do in The Gambia:
- Visited the Kachikally Crocodile Pool: This pool is home to dozens of crocodiles, considered sacred by the locals. Of course, I got up close and personal with the crocodiles – anything to tell the grandkids.
- Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly called James Island and St Andrew’s Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an island in the Gambia River where enslaved people were captured before being traded to the Western World. I met the family of Kunta Kinteh, which was a very emotional experience for me, but it allowed me to hear the true stories of our history.
- Visited the Bijilo Forest Park: This reserve is home to various wildlife, including monkeys. Purchase some nuts and bananas to feed the monkeys.
- Relaxed on the beaches in The Gambia has some beautiful beaches, such as Kololi Beach, which offer opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
- Join a Cooking Class: We made Chicken Yassa and Fish Domada, and you can too with @chaamidaa.
What to eat in The Gambia
Gambian cuisine is known for using fresh, local ingredients and flavours. Some popular dishes to try:
- Benachin (the Gambian version of Jollof rice). I LOVED this! Like loved. I’m not a big jollof rice fan, but I enjoyed the in The Gambia.
- Domoda (a stew made with meat or fish and peanut butter), and yassa (a dish made with marinated Chicken or fish and onions)
- Fill yourself with some Wonjo (a hibiscus-flavoured drink widely drunk in many West African and Caribbean countries). We made this on A Cooking Travel Talks Live, which you can watch and cook here.
Where to stay in The Gambia
The Gambia has a range of affordable hotels. I arrived in The Gambia a day earlier than the group and booked a luxury hotel at The African Princess Hotel via Booking.com. I absolutely loved it and would highly advise that if you are going to the Gambia, you stay here too. The hotel is directly on Kotu Beach, has several pools, and is truly beautiful.
The second hotel I stayed in was the Senegambia Beach Hotel, located on the strip of The Gambia. It is a jungle-themed hotel right next to the beach, a very affordable hotel stay. This is great for budget-friendly travellers
Another hotel I suggest staying at is the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. Book this one early, as it gets booked up very quickly. You can see the mapping of the hotels I’ve mentioned below:
Some helpful resources for your travels in The Gambia:
- My Instagram page has detailed reels and guides on visiting The Gambia.
- I mentioned that I travelled with Ajala Travel Tours, so I recommend going with them if you are considering a group trip within Africa.
- Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for UK travellers.
- Book with Viator or GetYourGuide if you want specific tours.
Final Views
The Gambia left such a lasting impression on me. From sacred crocodile pools to heritage-rich islands, this trip deepened my understanding of the continent’s richness and resilience. If you’re craving a destination that combines culture, coastlines, and calm energy, let The Gambia be next on your list. Got questions? Leave them below, and I’ll do my best to help.
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Love, MBV x
