Gambia
Republic of the Gambia
Western Africa · GMB
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Gambia
The Gambia is a small but engaging West African trip where river scenery, birdlife, and easy coastal access sit close together. It works best as a compact nature-and-culture stay based around the coast and river rather than a wide road trip.
Popular For
Things To See
- Banjul
- Kunta Kinteh Island
- Makasutu Forest
- Tanji
- Abuko Nature Reserve
- River Gambia
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Dry-season months are best for birding and easier movement.
- Banjul plus one or two river or reserve stops is usually enough for a first visit.
- This is a small country, so the strongest trips stay compact and unhurried.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Gambia.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Gambia Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Gambia.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Banjul
- Population
- 2,422,712
- Area
- 10,689 km²
- Region
- Western Africa
Languages
- English
Currency
dalasi (D)
GMD
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
25.1
Price level index (US = 100)
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Banjul (13.45°N, 16.57°W).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
14/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 2/100
- Lived safety
- 37/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.524
Low human development
- 5-year change
- +0.024
- 10-year change
- +0.050
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.959
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.578
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.514
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2)
- 🏛️
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Inscribed 2006
- 🏛️
Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites
Inscribed 2003
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 7.6%
- Forest cover
- 22.3%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 10
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 20
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
29/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
71/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There was no change to the advisory level. The “Other” risk indicator was removed, and the “Unrest” risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in The Gambia due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Advisory summary Crime Petty street crime and home burglaries happen often in The Gambia. This is most common in the Banjul area and tourist spots. Do not display cash and valuable personal property. Avoid walking alone, including on beaches, in tourist areas, and after dark. Unrest A separatist rebel group operates in the Casamance region of southern Senegal. There has been sporadic fighting along The Gambia’s southern border in the recent past. Stay on main roads and do not travel at night if travelling near or across the southern border. Health The Gambia’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe. If you decide to travel to The Gambia: Review our information on Crime Abroad and Victims of Crime. Stay aware of your surroundings. Use caution when walking or driving at night. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage. Be sure to bring enough prescription medications to last the entire duration of your trip. Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you go to The Gambia. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for The Gambia. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for The Gambia. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for The Gambia. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data