Travel Tips in Gambia

Travel tips to Gambia, Getting there and around; Weather & Best time to Travel; What to wear; Your Accommodation guide; Budget Accommodation in Gambia
Getting There
Getting to the Gambia is relatively quick. There are several cheap flights to The Gambia with most international airlines as well as airports connecting the different regions. Mini-buses operate on longer distances. There is no railway and the only public transport is Shared and Bush Taxis which cover the main routes and some bush roads, but do not run to a schedule. They are cheap and very over-crowded but are a great way of absorbing the local flavour. Traffic jam is of great concern to travellers within. Budget your moving time carefully to meet your schedules. Special car hire is also available for booking.
Capital: Banjul
Weather in The Gambia
The country experiences virtually constant sunshine and high day-time temperatures with almost no rainfall from November to June. August and September is the wet season. For those intending to travel, it is important to take note of the general weather conditions before you set off particularly the temperatures during the summer season.
Business / Working Hours
The official working hours set by Government is 8am- 4pm from Monday to Thursday. Being a Muslim country, Friday is half day and the rest of the day is for prayers.
Best time to Travel
The best time to visit The Gambia is from November through to March, this is the dry season in October much as it may be relatively hot. Between August and December wildlife is a lot easier to view.
What to Wear
Between January and April evenings and early mornings can be cooler than what visitors may anticipate. Have seasonal clothing.
Health Safety
Malaria is common in The Gambia. Visitors are recommended to take pre-arrival precautions against malaria (More prevalent in the months of June to November).  Medical services within the Gambia are extremely restricted and the price of health care evacuation may be quite substantial. We therefore recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS is also high in country. Travellers need to take caution.
Travel Warning
One major concern for travellers to The Gambia is the street robberies that have seemingly increased over the years. Care really should be taken when driving or strolling on roads, particularly at night, because of unpredictable driving standards and lack of street lighting. Avoid visiting alone isolated places in the country especially when walking along roads at night.
Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day,1 January
• Independence Day, 18 February
• Martyr’s Day, 3 March
• Labour Day,1 May
• Africa Day, 25 May
• Revolution Day, 22 July
• Christmas Day, 25 December

Accommodation
Finding a good, comfortable and affordable stay in hotels is equally important. If you are travelling to Gambia, especially the first timers, it’s recommended that you book your hotel accommodation well in advance. Similarly those planning for Gambia holidays, it’s plausible to make prior arrangements for your lodging and accommodation. Availability of safari lodges in Gambia is very hard to find even during the off seasons especially in major tourist places in Gambia.
Your pocket budget is a very important thing to plan your Gambia Vacation. The Hotel where you will be staying needs to fit into your budget. It is sensible that you find out the room rates beforehand by either calling up at the hotel or by simply searching online hotels in Gambia. All hotels in the country match the world class categories. Visitors are encouraged to make their reservations in advance.