 GENERAL INFORMATIONS |
 Visa Requirements |
The country can be reached by sea, land and air. There are scheduled and charter flights to and from Western Europe with connections to other parts of the world. Some cargo vessels that make regular calls at the port of Banjul contain a few passenger cabins.
For visits of short duration, tropical clothing and a few personal effects will be adequate. Most requirements may be purchased in the country if a longer stay is anticipated.
The Gambia has reciprocal arrangements with many countries, either on bilateral agreements or through membership of certain organizations, whereby citizens of those countries do not require a visa for a period of stay of less than three months. These include the member countries of ECOWAS, all Commonwealth countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Nationals of other countries should apply for a visa to a Gambian diplomatic mission or consulate abroad. A visa can also be obtained from British consular offices in countries where there is no Gambian diplomatic or consular representation.
Business travelers, particularly during the tourist season (October-April) should make hotel reservations prior to their departure for the Gambia.
An airport tax of $20 is levied on travelers leaving the Gambia by air.
| Health Requirements |
The Gambia's only mandatory health requirement is a yellow fever vaccination. Anti-malaria medication is recommended.
For minor ailments, please contact the Hotels Reception - most hotels have a Resident Nurse on duty each day, which has a supply of medicines. Should you require urgent treatment we recommend you take a taxi to the Hospital in Banjul (your Representative/Agent should he informed of any serious illness) Please ensure you keep any receipts for medication/consultation, as these will be required by the insurance company if you intend to make a claim on your return to the U.K.
If you do need to see a doctor for whatever the reason, DO NOT go to Lamtoro Clinic, DO go to the Kololi Clinic located in Kololi, and ask for Dr. Cisay. Tel: (220) 463434
| Currency |
The Gambia's unit of currency is the Dalasis. This is abbreviated to D or d, and is written before or after the numbers. The Dalasi is divided into 100 bututs, and there are coins for five, 10, 25 and 50 bututs, although apart form the 50 these are rarely seen. Notes in circulation are D5, D10, D25 and D50. There are also a D1 coin.
| Exchange Rate |
In many parts of Africa, inflation has been rampant, but the Dalasi exchange rate has been stable during the past few years, although the super-strong dollar has forced a slight depreciation of the Dalasis recently.
| POST |
Letters and postcards from Gambia to Britain cost D2 and to the USA and Australasia D3. The postal service out of the country is quite reliable, and most cards and letters arrive at their destination. The poste restante at the main post office in Banjul is also reasonably good.
| TELEPHONE |
Most public telephone offices are run by Gamtel (the state telephone company) and are open evenings and weekends. They run a good service. In and around Banjul you'll also find private telephone offices (called telecentres). The number for directory inquiries is 151.
Calls within Banjul cost around D4 for three minutes, and within Gambia round D8 for three minutes. Calls to other African countries cost around D10 per minute, and for international calls outside Africa the cost is about D35 per minute. All these rates are for the peak time of 7 am to 6 pm. Calls are cheaper by about 20% between 6 and 11 pm, and by about 33% between 11 pm and 7 am. Rates are also cheaper at weekends, when the charge for a call to Europe comes down to D20 for one minute.
You can buy prepaid phonecards at Gamtel offices and use them in public phones, which make international calls even cheaper.
Making reverse charge (collect) calls is also possible, but the easiest thing is to get the number of the Gamtel office where you are, make a quick call to whoever you want to speak to and get them to phone you back. This seems to be the normal procedure and it's cheaper for your caller.
If you want to rent or buy any type of communication devices, the best place to go is:
CRYSTAL COMMUNICATIONS in Fajara,
by the American Embassy
Tel: (220) 396630
Cell: (220) 991293
They are dealers in fixed and mobile phones as well as fax machines and radio systems.
| INTERNET |
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| BUSINESS HOURS |
Business hours for government offices are from 8 am to 3 or 4 pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8 am to 12.30 am to 12.30 pm Friday to Saturday. Shops and businesses are usually open form 8.30 am to noon and from 2.30 to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday, and form 8 am to noon Friday and Saturday. Bank opening hours vary depending on where you are, and are listed under the individual place entries.
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS |
Annual holidays in Gambia include the following:
New year's Day 1st January
Independence Day 18th February
Good Friday, Easter Monday March/April
Workers Day 1st May
Anniversary of the Second Republic 22nd July
Christmas 25th Decembe
The Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Tobaski, Islamic New Year and Mohammed's Birthday are also public holidays; these are determined by the lunar calendar and occur on different dates each year (for more details on Muslim holidays see the boxed test 'Islam' under Religion in the Facts about the Region chapter).
| SUPERMARKETS |
There are supermarkets in Banjul, Serrekunda and at Bakau. Prices in general are distinctly lower than in other countries of West Africa.
The supermarket at Bakau stocks a considerable selection of drinks and useful things, such as Elastoplasts and mosquito sprays. The range of foods, drinks and general household commodities is excellent. A11 supermarkets have fixed prices.
| CLOTHING |
Lightweight clothing width the emphasis on casual sun and beachwear is recommended. During the cool season (November to June), lightweight woolen jumpers or a jacket are needed for the cooler evenings. If you travel in the summer season, take a light raincoat.
Although dress at the beach hotels is very informal, ladies should avoid wearing shorts or short skirts, etc. outside the hotel grounds.
| BANKS |
Banks are situated on ECOWAS avenue in the center of the city. All these banks have branches in Bakau, Basse and Serrekunda (some often on Saturdays).
Banks are usually open from: Monday to Thursday: 0800 - 13.00 Friday: 0800 -11.00 Generally closed Saturdays and Sundays.
The Standard Chartered Bank will usually cash UK checks on production of a bankers check card (limit £50) and also Eurochecks. We strongly recommend you take your check card with you to cover you for any unexpected situations where additional funds may be required.
American Express Credit Card is normally accepted in most hotels but this must be arranged at the beginning of your holiday with the hotel management.
| DRINKING WATER |
In the Banjul and Fajara area, the water supply is fed from deep bore holes and is considered safe to drink. Bottled water/mineral water is available from all hotels and most supermarkets.
| VALUABLES |
Theft is not prevalent in The Gambia but you cannot be too careful and your holiday could be ruined by such an incident. We therefore strongly recommend you place all valuables, important documents etc. in your hotel safe and avoid carrying any valuables or excess money on you when out sightseeing, in crowded areas or on the beach. Whilst this facility is generally free, loss of the safety deposit key is liable to a penalty charge.
| CONTACTS AND NUMBERS |
For additional information please contact the European Bureau of:
| The Gambia National Tourist Office |
The Gambia High Commission building
57 Kensington Court
London, W8 5DG
UK
Tel: 0171-376 0093, 0171-937 6316/7
Fax: 0171-938 6344
E-mail: info@thegambia-touristoff.co.uk
| The Gambia National Tourist Office (headquarter) |
C/O Department of State for Tourism and Culture
The Quadrangle, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (220) 229563, 227593, 228496, and 223210
Fax: (220) 227753, 224019
E-mail: gntohq@gamtel.gm
| The High Commission of the Republic of The Gambia |
57 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DG
Tel: 0171-937 6316/7/8
Fax: 0171-937 9095
Telex 911857 Gamext G
UK |
