Climate

The Gambia is generally recognized as having perhaps the most agreeable climate in West Africa. There is a sub-tropical climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season is from November to May with average temperatures around 21-27C and the Harmattan wind keeping the humidity low. The rainy season is from June to October with high humidity and average temperatures around 26-32C. Generally, there is considerable cooling off in the evening. Rainfall in most parts of the country does not exceed 40 inches (1,016 Millimetres) and sunny periods occur on most days even in the rainy season.

The best clothes to bring along are casual and loose fitting, preferably cotton shorts and T-shirts for more comfort. A hat is also recommended as protection against the sun. During the winter months the evenings can sometimes be quite cool, so a sweater or jacket may be useful.

Health

No inoculations are necessary from entries from the EU but you are advised to contact your doctor in advance of your intended date of departure for recommendation on certain medication and/or vaccination.

However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over one year of age arriving from endemic or infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country

Finally, visitors are advised to bring good supplies of sunscreen, insect repellent and indigestion/diarrhoea medicines; all of these may be needed and they can prove expensive or, in some cases, impossible to buy in The Gambia. The Government provides both therapeutic and preventative medical and health services, and plays a dominant role in health services. Health insurance is strongly advised.

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Money

The unit of currency is the Dalasi (D), which is divided into 100 bututs.  In 1986 a floating exchange rate system was introduced in which the exchange rate is determined by market forces. The major banks are the Central Bank of the Gambia, the Standard Chartered Bank (Gambia) Limited, Trust Band Ltd. The International Bank for Commerce, the Continent Bank, The Arab Gambian Islamic Bank, and most recently, The First International Bank.

Transportation

Public transport in the Gambia can be easily accessed, be it a bus or a taxi.  Trains are not available in The Gambia.  For more adventurous travellers, car rental is also available.  Finally, there is a local ferry that operates between Banjul and Barra across the River Gambia and it runs every couple of hours in both directions and the journey usually last 30 minutes.

Bus: Local buses operate between Banjul and a number of towns and villages throughout the country. The services are fairly reliable, but buses tend to be overcrowded.

Collective taxis: These are available outside main hotels and can be hired to take you anywhere! It is advisable to settle taxi fares in advance.

Car hire: Ask for more details from your hotel. An International Driving Permit will be accepted for a period of three months. A temporary licence is available from the local authorities on presentation of a valid Commonwealth licence.