The Gambia tours & holidays

Most nationalities will need to obtain a visa in advance to travel to The Gambia.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

A 10% service charge is usually added to the bill in established restaurants, bars, hotels and taxis — but feel free to tip more than this for exceptional service. At restaurants where a service charge isn’t included, 10% is the acceptable gratuity.

Although tipping at other places isn't mandatory it will be much appreciated given the low wages that Gambian service workers are typically paid. Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is also a good idea.

Tap water isn't safe to drink in The Gambia. Hotels and lodges will often provide filtered water, and your local leader is always available to help. Water filtration tablets are often helpful for peace of mind.

The internet connection can be a little slow in some remote areas, especially in towns further inland. Hotels, cafes and bars in Banjul usually have wi-fi with reliable connectivity.

Mobile phone coverage is good in The Gambia’s large cities and towns but less so in rural areas. If you plan to use your mobile phone, ensure you have global roaming activated or download an eSIM before leaving home.

ATMs can be found at banks in urban areas like Banjul and Serrekunda, though they aren’t always reliable. Due to credit card and bank fraud, caution is advised when using these, and some ATMs may only allow withdrawals of fairly small amounts.

The Gambia is primarily a cash-based economy. Credit cards are generally only accepted at top-end hotels and at some high-end restaurants in Banjul. We recommend you carry enough local currency on your trip.

Fairly clean western-style toilets can generally be found in Banjul and the towns on the Atlantic Coast. In towns and villages further inland, squat/pit toilets are the norm. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as this is rarely provided.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.