Frequently Asked Questions

We require a deposit of £125 per person. Your balance will be detailed on your invoice and must be paid in full no later than 12 weeks before departure. 

If you would prefer to pay your balance in installments this can be done online through Manage My Booking or by calling our administration team on 01489 866901.

Our standard baggage allowance for package holidays is 20kg per person year round on our own charter flights.

It is not generally possible to purchase additional luggage (although we occasionally have special luggage promotions) and we cannot guarantee that unallocated excess baggage will be accepted.

During our winter season, we have a limited amount of excess baggage which we can allocate for registered charities only, please contact our Admin Team on 01489 866901 for more information and availability. This is allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Generally speaking excess baggage will be charged at £15 per kilo in each direction at the airport, however this is subject to change depending on the airline and excess baggage is not guaranteed to be checked in.

If upgrading to Star Class on Titan Airways flights from Gatwick, you will benefit from an allowance of 30kg and if upgrading to Star Plus, an allowance of 40kg.

Infants under the age of 2 years old at the time of travel will receive a complimentary 10kg hold baggage allowance. In addition a collapsible pushchair and car seat will be carried free of charge. Travel cots will be weighed as part of the infant allowance. Infants must be under 2 years of age on both sectors of the journey.

As a developing country, hotels, service levels and gradings in The Gambia cannot be compared to those in European destinations, although there is some excellent quality accommodation on offer. We continue to use our own grading system, which is represented with a hibiscus flower and based on the views of our customers and our own 30 years of experience. Properties within our Unique Collection do not have a grading attributed to them. We consider these to have unique features and so are hard to classify despite offering quality accommodation.

Whilst we closely monitor quality in all our featured properties, we also operate our own awards scheme to recognise those hotels offering consistently high levels of quality and service to our customers.

On our winter flights the hand luggage allowance is 6kg with Titan Airways. For Titan Star Class passengers this increases to 10kg. During the summer the allowance is 5kg with Enter Air.

Dimensions differ from airline to airline but should be no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

Please ensure that your hand luggage does not contain any sharp objects. Some airlines only allow 1 piece of hand baggage per passenger, including ladies handbags and laptops.

If you are travelling as part of a charity we will do our very best to accommodate your extra luggage requirements.

We have a limited allowance per flight for charity excess on our Gatwick flights, this is subject to availability and only given to registered charities. To receive a maximum of 5kg per person charity luggage, you will be required to supply a registered charity number.

• Due to the high number of charity requests we receive this is on a first come first serve basis.
• Airline restrictions mean our charity allowance is limited per flight, once it is allocated we cannot exceed this allowance.

Please contact Administration on 01489 866901 or at admin@gambia.co.uk for availability.

An alternative option would be to freight goods, which is also less expensive. This can be done through ‘Redcoat Travel’ on 01293 522440.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required to enter The Gambia if you are arriving from the EU, however if you are planning to visit Senegal from The Gambia, you will be asked to show a valid yellow fever certificate at the border crossing.

The Gambia is renowned for its friendly, welcoming people and is known as the Smiling Coast. Crime against tourists is very rare and in general it is regarded as a safe destination to explore and mingle with the locals. The country is predominantly Muslim, the main festivals such as Tobaski and Ramadan are observed, however other religions are accepted and allowed to practise freely, for example at Christmas you will find Muslims and Christians celebrating together. Every year tens of thousands of British holidaymakers enjoy the wonderful climate and relaxed atmosphere that The Gambia has to offer, and bars and restaurants are free to serve alcohol with the country boasting its own brewery.

Our experienced team based in The Gambia work closely with the British High Commission locally, and our friendly UK team are on hand to answer any questions on 01489 866939.

Located midway between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, The Gambia enjoys virtually uninterrupted sunshine and high daytime temperatures with almost no rainfall from November to June. On the coast, The Gambia experiences only small fluctuations in temperature from winter to summer; however from July to October the humidity level is high as the tropical sun is interrupted by short but spectacular showers. Although the months of heaviest rainfall are normally August and September, we have found that it has not detracted from our clients' enjoyment of their holiday. Nevertheless, a lightweight rain mac or umbrella may prove useful in these months. Between January and April, evenings and early mornings can be cooler than people expect. For those planning to travel inland away from the coast and the benefit of the sea breezes, it is important to note that temperatures during the summer can reach 42°C.

To view a climate chart - Click here

The Gambia is renowned for its uncrowded, sandy beaches and there are beautiful, wide stretches of sand in most resorts. The coastline around the resort area of Kololi suffers from ongoing erosion from the strong Atlantic currents; although a replenishment project is planned and it remains a popular resort with holiday-makers. There are wide sandy beaches at Kotu, Bijilo, Banjul and Cape Point. Read more about the beaches in The Gambia here.

The Gambia has no migrating wildebeest, giraffes or any of the large animals commonly associated with Africa. However without leaving your hotel you can see a breathtaking variety of bird life, in addition to monkeys and lizards. Baboons and crocodiles can be seen nearby and then far up the river, hippos. We also offer holidays to the Fathala Wildlife Reserve, which is located just across the border in neighbouring Senegal. Here you can stay in luxurious air-conditioned safari tents and go on game drives to see lions, zebra, giraffes, rhinos, antelopes and many more.

The Gambia's currency is the dalasi, with £1 sterling currently buying around 65 dalasis (as at February 2020) in local exchange bureaus. Rates in hotels vary. As with all currencies, the dalasi rate to the pound can fluctuate. Dalasis are available in the UK but you will get a better exchange rate in The Gambia. Currency can easily be obtained at the airport, most hotels, banks or bureau de change and there are a few ATMs where cash can be obtained from a VISA card. The largest note that is available is a D200 and the smallest is D5 - it is always worth trying to keep your smaller denominations as many stall traders will not have enough small notes for change if you pay with a larger note.

Although some restaurants and hotels in The Gambia accept credit cards, it is not wise to rely on them. Debit cards are still more restricted; Visa Electron and Maestro cards are not accepted. You should always check that your card will be accepted and whether there is any surcharge. At some hotels your bill will be converted into US dollars prior to it appearing as a sterling amount on your statement. This may result in some exchange rate surcharges.

Sterling cash can be changed without a problem but travellers cheques are no longer accepted. The new currency cards are not yet known about in detail and if used may attract a charge.

We offer an extensive program of excursions and tours from private 4WD tours to relaxing boat trips on the river through our agent Discovery Tours, which can be booked in The Gambia. See a full list of excursions. Payment can be in dalasi or  sterling. We also accept Visa with a surcharge of 5% - this can be subject to change without notice. Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept MasterCard credit or debit cards for excursions.

The easiest way to find out more and to book is by attending the welcome meeting with your representative, although a couple of excursions such as Ida's Home Cooking Experience and Malick Suso's Birdwatching can also be pre-booked in the UK to avoid disappointment.

Some of the smaller, more remote, unique properties, which do not have a representatives visit, offer their own excursion programme on request.

The surf can be high with strong undercurrents on the coast of The Gambia, so some activities may not be advisable. As a general rule, The Gambia does not offer paragliding, waterskiing or watersports activities. 

The Gambia is not suitable for diving as the Atlantic Ocean does not give The Gambia crystal clear waters and there may be strong undercurrents in places.

English is the official language and language of instruction in most schools (The Gambia is a former British Colony). However, various tribal languages are used by the Gambians to converse between themselves.

Most main roads in the greater Banjul area are now tarmac but away from the tourist areas and pff the main roads they can be little more than dirt tracks. Traffic and direction signs are still limited, however the road quality has improved over the past several years.

There is no rail service but you will find green tourist taxis readily available outside your hotel. Taxis can be hired for a specific journey or for a half or full day, in both cases it is best to agree the price in advance; there should be a price board together with a taxi supervisor to help. The taxi waiting time is charged at approximately £2.00 per hour, but often the first couple of waiting hours are free. It is often difficult to find a tourist taxi outside of the tourist areas so it is advisable to pre-book your return journey.

Yellow taxis are generally used by the local community and can be shared or private. Prices are negotiable and they are generally cheaper than the tourist taxis however they are not allowed to go into the resort areas so you may have to walk to your hotel from the drop off point.

Bush taxis are available which are often very crowded but offer a very economical way of travelling and a way of absorbing part of the local flavour.

Car and motorbike hire is available for the more independent, although can be rather expensive and definitely not recommended.  Please remember that they drive on the right-hand side of the road in The Gambia and sometimes with little driving etiquette, so always be extra careful on the highways!

Although vaccination are not compulsory for entry, we strongly suggest you consult your doctor before booking who will recommend certain medication, including anti-malarial tablets as a precaution. Children and pregnant women may require special vaccination procedures.

Some GP’s may suggest that you will need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration and will be refused entry if you don’t show it. If you are travelling to Gambia from the EU you are not required to show a certificate as proof.  You will not be refused entry to The Gambia if you haven’t had the inoculation on this basis alone. However, as stated we do strongly suggest you consult your doctor, obtaining professional advice before booking. Under International Health Regulations, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers over 9 months of age travelling from The Gambia into Senegal or vice versa.travelling from The Gambia into Senegal or vice versa.

We have joined forces with the Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor so you can now purchase your malaria tablets on line and have them delivered direct to your door. Any commission we receive from sales will be donated to our School Development Fund. Please click the following link to access the service: Lloyds Pharmacy - Online Doctor

For up-to-date advice visit the World Health Organisation at www.who.int/ith and the Department of Health leaflet (Ref T7.1) “Health Advice to Travellers” is available free from your GP, travel agent or online.

Any prescribed medication should be carried in your hand luggage along with a copy of the prescription. We would advise that you take medicines to treat dehydration, small ailments, stomach upsets, insect bites and cuts, along with mosquito repellent and sun tan creams, as such items can be expensive and not always available in The Gambia. A practice which should be avoided in any hot climate is drinking very cold drinks straight after coming out of the hot sun as this can cause stomach upsets. Bottled water can be bought in most hotels and supermarkets at a reasonable price.

Travel insurance is a vital aspect to booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday. it is particularly important that you check you have cover in case you or a member of your party catches Covid prior to or during travel - or has to self-isolate. Also, some insurance policies will be invalidated if you are travelling against FCDO advice.

We've arranged a scheme with specialists Travel & General Insurance Services Limited who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 304788), full details of which can be found on the FCA website: www.fca.org.uk.

Please call Travel & General on 0330 880 3625 for a quote or click here. You will need to check that the policy fulfils your needs during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mosquitoes are most active around late afternoon and through the evening. We strongly recommend the use of a good insect repellent to prevent being bitten, in conjunction with anti-malarial tablets as prescribed by your doctor.

There is a high level of religious tolerance in The Gambia and crime against tourists is low so venturing outside the hotels is safe.

You will experience 'bumsters' who have chosen to make their living outside the hotels and on the beach selling excursions, handicrafts or offering to show tourists around the local area. Some can be persistent to the point of being a nuisance although The Gambia Tourist Board has successfully reduced the number of bumsters in recent years.

You will experience less hassle in Senegal although in both countries we would advise you to exercise caution and not show off valuables publicly as in any foreign country.

Nightclubs outside of resort areas are not recommended. Please speak to your representative first.

These are an unpleasant fact of life, especially in hot climates. The hotels take what steps they can but total eradication is not possible.

Any amendments will be subject to availability and will incur amendment charges (except flexible tickets) in addition to any difference in costs. Further details can be obtained from our Admin Team on 01489 866901 or at admin@gambia.co.uk Amendments within 7 days of travel are not always possible and cancellation changes will apply.

If you are already in The Gambia and wish to amend your booking, please contact our Resort Office on 4461104 or 4460317 for a price and availability.

To extend a flight only ticket by a maximum of 2 weeks in resort would be a minimum of £160, subject to availability.

For package holidays the cost would be £160 for the flight extension plus any difference in accommodation costs. You cannot change from a package holiday to a flight only booking once you have travelled.

The Gambia is on GMT, so there is no time difference during the winter.

During the summer, whilst the UK is on British Summer Time, The Gambia is 1 hour behind us.

With only 6 hours flying time from the UK and no jet lag you can be relaxing by the pool by late afternoon, sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set.

Generally take clothes that are comfortable and loose fitting, preferably cotton or linen; we also recommend a hat as protection against the strong midday sun. Although dress is not formal, in the evenings most hotels and restaurants require gentlemen to wear shirts and long trousers or dress shorts. A jumper may come in handy for early morning excursions, although for most other tours we would recommend shorts and T shirts.

The standard of living in The Gambia is much lower than in the UK as it is a developing country, so poverty and begging are common. Having said this, most Gambians are extremely hospitable and it is not uncommon for locals to invite tourists to their homes. If you wish to visit a compound, a bag of rice would be an ideal gift, the cost being approximately £20.

Please ask first as not everyone likes to be photographed and you may be asked for payment in return. Uniformed personnel such as the police, military and government organisations generally will not accept photos being taken.

The Gambia has a smoking ban in public places including enclosed restaurants, bars and reception areas; in addition hotels now only allow smoking on the balcony or terrace of your room. Banjul Airport is also non-smoking, however there is an outdoor bar area near the departure lounge.

For British passport holders, visas are not required for entry into The Gambia. You must be travelling on a full 10 year British passport, valid at least until the date of arrival back in the UK. 

To travel on a one way flight you must be a Gambian national, have proof of return or onward travel or have a visa / residency permit. Please check with the Gambia High Commission for more details.

Other passport holders should contact the Gambia High Commission for visa requirements.
The telephone number for the Gambia High Commission in London is 020 7229 8066.

All airlines are required to collect Advance Passenger Information from all customers (including infants) travelling to and from the UK by air in advance of issuing tickets.

What information is needed per passenger?

• Full name, as per your passport including any middle names.
• Your date of birth.
• The travel document 'type' e.g. passport.
• Your nationality.
• Passport Country of Issue.
• Passport number, issue date and expiry date.

When is the information required by?

• If we require this before issuing your tickets, this will be requested at the time of booking or at least 7 days before travel in order for your tickets to be processed in time.
  Failure to do so will prevent tickets from being issued.
  Any API details received within 7 days of departure may result in additional charges if a Ticket on Departure or Special Delivery is required to issue your tickets.

How can I provide this information?

• You can enter these securely online under Manage My Booking or call our Admin Team with your passport details.

Although seats are pre-bookable and we will endeavour to provide the allocated seat numbers depending on availability, they may be subject to change at short notice. This can happen if there is an unexpected change in aircraft or for medical reasons or to accommodate larger groups or families with children.

Single travellers allocated in seats leaving a single empty seat beside them are likely to be re-allocated closer to departure.

Yes, although this will of course be subject to availability. Please check with your hotel representative or with our Resort Office.

If you wish to book the air-conditioned Banjul Airport lounge you can check availability with our UK Sales Team at the time of booking or with our Resort Office whilst in The Gambia. The cost is from £20 per person.

Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all concerned, flights are delayed for reasons beyond our personal control. If a long delay occurs, we will always do our best to provide a snack or meal when appropriate and in the case of an overnight delay, suitable accommodation. If we are made aware of a potential delay we will do our very best to advise you, again this is another reason why you must reconfirm your flight. 

Please note that the choice of accommodation for flight delays is made by the airline and is not part of your original package holiday.

Although some restaurants and hotels in The Gambia do accept credit cards, it is not wise to rely on them. Debit cards are still more restricted; Visa Electron and Maestro cards are not accepted. You should always check that your card will be accepted and whether there is any surcharge.  ATM machines in The Gambia are still not overly reliable. Sterling can be exchanged at hotels, local banks, exchange bureau and Euros are now widely accepted. Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in The Gambia.

Transfers are included in our package holidays

Private transfers can also be arranged from £40 one way. Please note we do not provide transfer vouchers in your ticket pack for standard transfers, however it will be displayed on your confirmation invoice. 

A noticeable change over the last few years has been the increase in the number of restaurants offering quality dining for excellent value. There is a wide variety of restaurants in The Gambia ranging from casual beach bars to formal gourmet dining, serving a range of cuisine including Lebanese, Thai, Indian and traditional Gambian. Of particular note is the abundance of freshly caught seafood including lady fish, barracuda, snapper, butter fish, lobster and huge Atlantic prawns.

Many restaurants are within walking distance of the hotels but it is possible to book a taxi with waiting time for an evening out.

Vegetarians are increasingly catered for; many hotels and restaurants will offer a vegetarian dish and some will accommodate with dishes made to order. Click here for our restaurant guide.

The dress code in most restaurants is casual, but in the evening gentlemen are usually required to wear long trousers or dress shorts depending on the venue.

Prices vary with a good 3 course evening meal in a top quality restaurant costing on average about £30 per person excluding drinks and service and a simple meal and beer can cost around £10 per person.

Some dishes in The Gambia may be cooked in peanut oil. It is advisable for anyone suffering with a nut allergy to check with the restaurant prior to ordering.

Our Gambia Guidebook, sent with your tickets, includes money-off vouchers at many restaurants.

A growing number of hotels do now have Wi-Fi access either in public areas or rooms, and some have internet cafes. There may be a charge locally for this. Please check regarding individual hotels and be aware that telephone and internet connections in The Gambia can be erratic with often weak connections.

Generally speaking many hotels situated in the busier resorts of The Gambia offer a 'Bed & Breakfast' board basis, due to the affordability of meals and drinks, plus the wide variety of restaurants in some resort areas.

Sunbeach and Sunset Beach both offer all-inclusive.

We shall be pleased to pass on your request to the airline or hotel, however we cannot guarantee that they will be met. If you have any special requests for your accommodation or flights, please ensure they are requested at the time of booking as procedures for flight requests vary from airline to airline and they require as much notice as possible. Airlines tend to require at least 5 days notice for any dietary requirements.

These can be expected 2 weeks prior to your date of travel and will include our Gambia Guide (packages) or Travel Advice leaflet (Flight Only) which we hope you will find useful. For security reasons, tickets can only be posted to the billing address if payment was made by card.

If you have started your journey in Banjul and amend your ticket in the UK, the ticket will be available to collect at the airport on the day of travel.  Tickets for UK passengers who have booked close to the departure date will also be issued at the airport on the day of travel, so you will need to allow sufficient time for collection. Unless you are advised otherwise, please collect your tickets from the Ace Handling representative who will be near the check in desk indicated beside your flight number on the departure screens. For passengers travelling from Gatwick, the Ace Handling Desk is located in Zone G at the South Terminal.

To assist us to improve our service and ensure standards are maintained, we will be most grateful if you would take the time to complete our online questionnaire; a link will be emailed to you shortly after your return. We will also donate £10 to The Gambia Experience Community Development Fund for every 100 questionnaires completed. Your details will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a holiday to The Gambia by completing the questionnaire.

We are also a member of the consumer review site Feefo, which enables us to gather independent and honest reviews from our customers. We hope it will also allow future customers to decide whether to visit The Gambia as a holiday destination. You will receive an email within 21 days of your return and we would appreciate your participation.

Unfortunately The Gambia does have problems with mains electric supply, however most hotels have their own back up generator, although when used for long periods they do need to have a cooling period after a certain number of running hours.  Any disruption in supply can effect the efficiency of air-conditioning and supply of hot water during periods of high demand.

Due to strong fluctuations in current and weather conditions, facilities can be affected and on occasion, repairs can take time, due to the sourcing and delivery of spare parts, which are not available locally in The Gambia.

The Gambian Tourism Board is responsible for marketing and promotion of The Gambia as a tourist destination.

Visa are not required for British passport holders for entry into Senegal. Passports must be valid for 3 months from date of entry.

Other passport holders should contact the Embassy of Senegal for entry and visa requirements.

The telephone number for Senegal Embassy in London is 020 7938 4048.

In The Gambia we have a large resort team year-round who visit the hotels every day except Sunday to help guests make the most of their holiday. Our reps do not currently visit any of our Unique Collection properties, Leo's Beach Hotel or White Horse Residence, as these all offer their own personal service. If numbers are low in a particular property we may arrange visits by appointment, your representative's phone number will be provided and they will make contact with you at the start of your stay.

In Senegal, the hotels look after our guests and telephone numbers will be provided in case we can assist in any way.