(Gambia)

Best Time to Travel:

From November until May, the weather is (at the very least) dry. Given that the temperatures rise sharply in April/ May, the most agreeable time to visit is considered to be the months from November until March.

Entry Requirements:

British Citizens need a passport which is valid for at least three months for a stay of up to 28 days. For visits in excess of 28 days, permission has to be obtained from the Gambian Immigration Department at their offices in Banjul. There is a fee for each additional month.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the appropriate representation in the UK.

Security measures for all passengers departing from UK airports
Some liquids are allowed through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through: Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point. Please note:
Any containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines, see section below) will NOT be allowed through the security search point. Most liquids of any amount may still be carried in hold baggage. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening - it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.
'Liquids' includes:
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc.
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpastes
- Gels, including hair and shower gel
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.
Please note that liquids can usually be purchased beyond airport security search points, in the departures area, as these liquids are subject to a separate screening process. Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting. Liquid dietary foodstuffs which are deemed essential can be taken through airport security and will be subject to verification by the passenger. For information concerning essential medicines and medical equipment, cabin baggage and size allowed, laptops / electrical items and outsize items please visit www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/requirements.

Global Security Advice
Travellers should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places anywhere in the world. Be vigilant, and take sensible precautions.

Specific Advice of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office indicates that you should not travel by road from the Gambia to the Casamance region in southern Senegal. It remains affected by incidents involving presumed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry.

Please ask the appropriate embassy in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the entry requirements, or inform yourself on the homepage of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk. You find the addresses of the embassies down below on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required upon arrival if you are travelling from an endemic zone, except for infants under the age of one year.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination requirements, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Vaccination recommendations:

General: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus. Risk groups/regions: Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid fever.

Malaria:
Throughout the country there is a year-round malaria risk. A series of malaria cases, two of them fatal, was recently reported among European travelers to the Gambia. None of the travelers had taken appropriate malaria medication. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly urged for all travelers to the Gambia.

Yellow fever:
There is an increased risk of yellow fever infection nationwide. Apart from the country requirements, the WHO (World Health Organisation) strongly recommends the vaccination against yellow fever for travellers visiting risk areas were the virus is present in man or is assumed to be present in primates. Careful mosquito protection measures (e.g. long-sleeved cloths, repellents, mosquito nets, etc.) as well as a yellow fever vaccination are definitely recommended from a medical point of view.

Food and Waterborne Diseases:
Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travellers. Travelers' diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout West Africa and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).

Advices for healthy behaviour:
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.
Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
- If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.
Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked.
Do not drink beverages with ice.
Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
Avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination recommendations, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Geographical position:

Longitude: 11,5-17,5° west
Latitude: 12-17° north

Official language:

English

Currency:

Dalasi

Country code:

00220

Time Difference to Central European Time:

GMT

Power supply/voltage:

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz.

Embassy address:

The Gambia High Commission
57 Kensington Court
+44 20 79376316
+44 20 79379095
gambia@gamhighcom.wanadoo.co.uk
London W8 5DG