Home β€Ί Countries β€Ί Gambia

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² Gambia

Africa's smallest mainland country hugs a river, offering Atlantic beaches, superb birdwatching, river safaris and the warm welcome of 'the Smiling Coast'.

Visa-free πŸ“… Best: Nov–Mar (dry) πŸ’΅ $75/day avg
πŸ™οΈ
Capital
Banjul
πŸ’±
Currency
Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
πŸ—£οΈ
Language
English
πŸ“…
Best time
Nov–Mar (dry)
πŸ›‚
Visa
Visa-free (many)
πŸ’΅
Avg daily budget
$35 – $260
πŸ›‘οΈ
Safety
Generally safe
✈️
Main airport
Banjul (BJL)
Overview

Why travellers love Gambia

Beach resorts on the coast, boat trips up the River Gambia, world-class birding and the slave-trade history of Kunta Kinteh Island make a varied, affordable trip.

It's a popular, easy winter-sun escape from Europe.

Where to go

Top places in Gambia

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Kololi / Senegambia

Kololi / Senegambia

πŸ—“ 3 days

The main beach-resort strip.

BeachRelaxNightlife
River Gambia

River Gambia

πŸ—“ 1–2 days

Boat safaris and hippos.

NatureAdventure
Kunta Kinteh Island

Kunta Kinteh Island

πŸ—“ 1 day

Poignant slave-trade history.

HistoryCulture
Makasutu

Makasutu

πŸ—“ 1 day

Forest, mangroves and birdlife.

NatureRelax
Plan day by day

Gambia itineraries

Ready-made routes β€” tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Kololi / Senegambia β†’ River Gambia β†’ Kunta Kinteh Island
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$175 – $1,300
1–2

Kololi / Senegambia

The main beach-resort strip.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Beach Β· Relax Β· Nightlife
3–4

River Gambia

Boat safaris and hippos.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Nature Β· Adventure
5

Kunta Kinteh Island

Poignant slave-trade history.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ History Β· Culture
Route
Kololi / Senegambia β†’ River Gambia β†’ Kunta Kinteh Island β†’ Makasutu
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$245 – $1,820
1–2

Kololi / Senegambia

The main beach-resort strip.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Beach Β· Relax Β· Nightlife
3–4

River Gambia

Boat safaris and hippos.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Nature Β· Adventure
5–6

Kunta Kinteh Island

Poignant slave-trade history.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ History Β· Culture
7

Makasutu

Forest, mangroves and birdlife.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ Nature Β· Relax
Route
Kololi / Senegambia β†’ River Gambia β†’ Kunta Kinteh Island β†’ Makasutu
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$350 – $2,600
1–3

Kololi / Senegambia

The main beach-resort strip.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Beach Β· Relax Β· Nightlife
4–6

River Gambia

Boat safaris and hippos.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Nature Β· Adventure
7–8

Kunta Kinteh Island

Poignant slave-trade history.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ History Β· Culture
9–10

Makasutu

Forest, mangroves and birdlife.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Nature Β· Relax
✨ Build a custom Gambia itinerary β†’
Visa & entry

Gambia visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa-free for many
Allowed stay
Up to 90 days
Visa on arrival
For some
eVisa
For some
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa-free
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Many nationalities enter visa-free; a yellow-fever certificate may be required. Always verify with the official Gambia immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Gambia visa guide β†’Use the visa checker β†’
Money

Gambia budget guide

Budget

$35/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$260+/day
  • 4–5β˜… hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Gambia budget guide β†’
Things to do

Top attractions in Gambia

πŸ–οΈ

Atlantic beaches

Long, warm winter-sun coast.

🦜

Birdwatching

Over 500 species in a tiny country.

πŸ›Ά

River safaris

Hippos, monkeys and mangroves.

⛓️

Kunta Kinteh Island

UNESCO slave-trade memorial.

🐊

Kachikally crocodiles

A sacred crocodile pool.

Blog

Gambia travel articles

All guides