Gambia Sightseeing Places

By | July 5, 2020

Visa requirements

Passport: is generally required for travel to The Gambia. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date.

Visa: for Germans and Austrians (as well as citizens of other European countries) a visa is issued upon entry.

Transit: Transit travelers who travel within 2 hours and do not leave the transit room do not need a transit visa

Validity: Length of stay for tourist stays 21-28 days, for business trips 7 days. An extension of the stay (maximum 3 months) can be requested from the Immigration Department (cost: 250 Dalasi).

Application: at the consulate, Germans and Austrians also receive a visa upon entry.

Residence permit: inquiries to the consulate

Processing time: Personal: immediately, by post: about 2 to 3 days.

Entry restrictions: The Gambian government does not accept passports issued by the Palestinian government.

Documents: Tourist Visa : – passport still valid for at least 6 months – a visa application – a passport photo – a travel booking confirmation of the outward and return flight. Business Visa: a company letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip with a confirmation of payment.

Costs of issuing a Visa: when applying at the consulate, EUR 50.00. With express processing, the visa for Gambia costs 60.00 euros.

Sufficient funds: All visitors to the Gambia must provide sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.

Vaccinations: Information on international vaccination certificates that are required for entry can be found in the Gambia – Health chapter.

Entry with children:
Germany: Children need their own passport (child’s passport or electronic passport) to enter the Gambia.
Austria: own passport for children.

Switzerland: own passport for children.

The same visa requirements apply to the children as to their parents.

Gambia Sightseeing Places

Money

National currency: 1 Dalasi is divided into 100 bututs.

Currency abbreviation: D, GMD. – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG

There are banknotes worth 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 D. Although there are coins worth 1 Dalasi and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 butut, these have almost disappeared from daily payments.

Currency exchange: The Gambian currency cannot be converted outside the country. There is an exchange office at the airport that is open during flight operations. There are several banks and exchange offices in Banjul that change currency. Hotels and resorts often charge high fees. The currencies that are most widely accepted are the Euro, US Dollar and British Pound.

There are few opportunities to change money in the hinterland. Basse Santa Su is the only inland city with a bank.

Exchange rate Dalasi:

Currency converter at OANDA

Credit Cards: Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants, as well as international car rental companies. The conversion into euros is made using the British pound, and the resulting fees can be high.

Traveler’s checks: are not widely accepted in The Gambia, but fees are high. They should be issued in US dollars or British pounds.

ATMs: There are ATMs at the Standard Chartered Bank in Banjul and in the holiday areas in the West of The Gambia. Visa cards are the most widely accepted.

Foreign exchange regulations: The black market is illegal, is heavily prosecuted and punished. Foreign currencies can be imported without restrictions, while a maximum of 300,000 Dalasi can be exported. Violations of this restriction will be punished. Visitors must declare all foreign currencies upon entry.

Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 1.30 p.m., Fri and Sat 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Health and Diseases

Vaccination protection: Vaccination against yellow fever makes sense; it is mandatory when entering from a yellow fever area.

The health service of the Foreign Office advises all travelers also a vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months against hepatitis B. With special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging, etc.), vaccination against rabies and typhoid, and possibly also against meningococcal meningitis, may also be useful. These questions can be decided in a personal consultation with a doctor experienced in tropical medicine and travel medicine.

Malaria: During and after the rainy season, the risk of malaria increases. Chloroquine resistance of the predominant, more dangerous malaria species Plasmodium falciparum has been reported. In addition to exposure prophylaxis (mosquito net, repellents, covering clothing, behavior), medicinal chemoprophylaxis is also indicated for most travelers during a short stay. Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.

HIV / AIDS is a major problem and risk in the Gambia for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a life-threatening risk.

Prophylaxis: Hygienic eating and drinking (only freshly cooked, no lukewarm food) and consistent mosquito protection can prevent most intestinal infections and other tropical infectious diseases. One should also not bathe in fresh water (danger of schistosomiasis, possibly also crocodiles).

Health care:The basic supply is guaranteed, but cannot be compared with Europe, since it is often technically and hygienically problematic. In rural areas there is often a lack of European-trained doctors who speak English or French. Sufficient global health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are therefore strongly recommended for travelers. The German statutory health insurance does not cover medical costs incurred in The Gambia. Local hospitals and doctors require tourists to pay in advance. It is therefore advisable to bring your own first-aid kit with you. Sun protection cream, insect spray and tablets for indigestion belong in the first-aid kit, these are expensive in the Gambia and are difficult to obtain. That belongs to the state hospitals Royal Victoria Hospital with child and maternity ward in Banjul, a hospital in Farafenni and Bansang Hospital, which is about 320 km upstream. The medical research center in Fajara (opposite the British High Commission) is well equipped.

Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid, Bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or beverages. Therefore, careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should always be carried out. In general, water should either be boiled or otherwise sterilized prior to use for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes. Milk is not pasteurized outside of urban areas and should also be boiled. Avoid dairy products from uncooked milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. Avoid eating pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.

Gambia Landmarks

Transportation

Ship: Regular long distance connections on the Gambia are not offered. However, tour operators organize multi-day excursions on the river. From Denton Bridge near Banjul you can find boat guides who offer tours along the coast.

Cars: The road network of The Gambia is about 2,700 km long, especially the roads around Banjul are paved. The country’s main routes run along the river: a poorly preserved paved road on the south side of the river and a poorly maintained slope along the north side. Unpaved slopes are often difficult or not passable in the rainy season.

Bus: The bus system in Gambia has collapsed almost completely, there are rarely connections. Passenger transport in The Gambia is almost exclusively carried out by bush taxis. After changing trains several times, you can get to Basse Santa Su in the east of the country. Taxis: Stand in front of the larger hotels. City taxis are yellow, tourist taxis are green. The fare should be agreed in advance. Rental cars can be obtained at the airport, resorts and hotels. It is also possible to charter taxis with a driver. Documents: The international driving license is accepted for stays of up to 3 months.