Travel advice for Gambia

Hungary advises avoiding non-essential travel for Gambia.

Avoid nonessential travel to parts of the southern border area with Senegal because of possible criminal activity, and avoid nighttime driving due to robberies. Elsewhere, theft and violent robberies are concerns. Do not display valuables, avoid nighttime walks in unlit areas and on beaches, and secure documents and cash. Terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out and political unrest is possible, so avoid mass gatherings and beware of romance scams.

Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to The Gambia. Avoid non-essential travel to the southern border area with Senegal's Casamance region because of attacks by armed groups and landmines. During the December 2026 presidential election, avoid public gatherings and protests because unrest and violence may increase. Also beware of street crime, robbery, burglary, assault and scams.

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Gambia.

Exercise a high degree of caution in The Gambia because petty crime occurs in crowded markets and on ferries, and theft from hotels and vehicles is common. Take care travelling toward Casamance, where separatist rebels operate, and on roads from Ziguinchor to Banjul and Bignona to Senoba. Outside major cities, four wheel drive vehicles are necessary, particularly during the rainy season, and wooden pirogue crossings of The Gambia River are dangerous.

Exercise increased caution near The Gambia's southern border with Senegal, as travel to certain areas may carry greater risk. Avoid the area around Foni Bintang and Foni Kansala because landmines from the separatist conflict may remain.

Japan advises a high degree of caution for Gambia.

Travel to The Gambia with caution because pickpocketing, theft and fraud are common, and unsolicited help or excursion offers to Senegal may cause immigration problems. Strict penalties apply for drugs and same-sex relations, while the death penalty remains possible for serious crimes. Expect flooding, potentially violent election demonstrations and unsafe roads; avoid election gatherings and the old Banjul-Barra ferry, and take comprehensive travel insurance because medical care is limited.

Avoid travel on the road linking the Gambia to Casamance in southern Senegal because separatist and armed groups operate there. Elsewhere, exercise increased caution because theft from hotel rooms and valuables is common, demonstrations can become violent, and roads are poorly maintained, making night travel risky. Protect yourself against malaria and other infections, and use particular caution on the Banjul-Barra ferry, which may be unreliable and unsafe.

Exercise increased caution in The Gambia. Petty crime and burglaries occur in the Banjul area and tourist spots; avoid displaying valuables and walking alone in tourist areas, on beaches or after dark. A separatist rebel group operates in southern Senegal’s Casamance region, and fighting has occurred along The Gambia’s southern border; stay on main roads and avoid night travel nearby. Health services are inadequate; local medications may be unsafe.

Travel to The Gambia is generally safe with usual precautions. Remain particularly vigilant along the southern border with Senegal.

Take normal precautions when travelling to Gambia, and consult other countries' travel advice because Estonia has no embassy there. Learn local traditions and customs, especially during Ramadan. Estonian citizens do not need a visa, but Gambia may change entry and stay conditions without immediate notice.

Germany advises normal precautions for Gambia.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Gambia.

Singapore advises normal precautions for Gambia. Visas are not required for stays up to 90 days, and passports need six months’ validity. Consult a doctor about vaccinations and insurance, and obtain yellow fever vaccination 10 days before travel because transmission occurs. Returning to Singapore without a valid certificate can lead to six days’ quarantine, and nonresidents refusing quarantine can be denied entry. Lack of diplomatic representation in Gambia limits emergency consular assistance.

Ensure your passport is valid for your stay and meet The Gambia's customs and yellow fever certificate rules. British citizens can visit without a visa for 28 days, with two extensions of 28 days available from the Immigration Office in Banjul or tourist police stations in the Tourism Development Area. Longer stays require a residence permit. Check healthcare availability and travel insurance, as there is no equivalent nationwide emergency number.