Banjul Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Banjul.
Healthcare System
The Gambia's healthcare system is under-resourced with limited facilities, particularly in Banjul. Public hospitals face challenges including equipment shortages, limited specialist services, and inconsistent availability of medications. Private clinics offer better standards but are still basic compared to Western facilities.
Hospitals
Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) is the main referral hospital. Medical Research Council (MRC) clinic at Fajara offers better standards for minor issues. Private clinics include Banjul Medical Centre and various smaller facilities along the coastal tourist areas. Most facilities require immediate cash payment.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are available in Banjul and tourist areas but stock is inconsistent. Bring all prescription medications in original packaging with prescriptions. Counterfeit medications are a concern, so use reputable pharmacies only. Common over-the-counter medications may be available but bring your own supply of essentials.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is absolutely essential. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation to Dakar or Europe, as local facilities cannot handle serious conditions. Medical facilities typically require cash payment upfront regardless of insurance.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first aid kit and all medications you might need for your entire trip
- Carry copies of prescriptions and medical records, including blood type and allergies
- Know your insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number and keep it accessible
- Consider registering with your embassy upon arrival for emergency assistance
- Drink only bottled or purified water and avoid ice in drinks
- Ensure you have adequate supplies of any chronic medications as refills may be impossible
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft of valuables occur, particularly targeting tourists. Thieves often work in pairs or groups, with one creating a distraction while another steals belongings.
Theft of unattended belongings on beaches is common. Items left on beach towels while swimming are particularly vulnerable.
Road conditions are poor with potholes, inadequate lighting, and unpredictable driving standards. Pedestrians, livestock, and vehicles share roads. Accidents are common, and emergency response is limited.
Malaria is endemic throughout The Gambia year-round, with highest risk during rainy season. Dengue fever also occurs. Mosquito bites pose the most significant health risk to travelers.
Traveler's diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis A, and other gastrointestinal illnesses are common due to contaminated food and water. Tap water is not safe to drink.
Persistent unofficial guides called 'bumsters' and aggressive vendors can be overwhelming and occasionally intimidating. While usually harmless, they can be pushy and may lead tourists to overpriced shops or services.
Occasional political demonstrations and gatherings occur, particularly in Banjul and Serrekunda. While generally peaceful, they can turn unpredictable and should be avoided.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals approach tourists claiming to be official guides or offering to show them around. They may provide unwanted tours then demand high fees, lead tourists to shops where they receive commission, or distract tourists while an accomplice steals belongings.
Someone befriends a tourist, often over several days, building trust. Eventually they request money for a supposed emergency (sick relative, business opportunity, visa fees) or sell fake items at inflated prices. Romance scams also occur, particularly targeting women.
Taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists or claim the meter is broken. Some take unnecessarily long routes to increase fares. Others may claim they don't have change for large bills.
Individuals claim to represent orphanages, schools, or medical facilities and request donations. Some may show fake documentation or take tourists to visit supposed beneficiaries. Money rarely reaches legitimate causes.
Unofficial money changers on the street offer better rates than banks but use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists, provide counterfeit notes, or switch bundles of cash during counting.
Beach vendors offer items or services (massages, hair braiding, tours) and become aggressive when declined. Some provide services without clear agreement then demand inflated payment. Others sell fake or poor-quality goods at high prices.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for emergency notifications
- Keep photocopies of passport, visa, and insurance documents separate from originals
- Share your itinerary with family or friends back home
- Learn basic phrases in English and local languages (Wolof, Mandinka)
- Carry a charged mobile phone with local emergency numbers saved
- Trust your instincts - if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself immediately
- Be aware that police may request bribes; politely request to go to the station if threatened
Money and Valuables
- Use hotel safes for passports, excess cash, and valuables
- Carry money in multiple locations on your body
- Only withdraw cash from ATMs inside banks during business hours
- Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks
- Carry some small denomination dalasi for tips and small purchases
- Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry, or smartphones in public
- Consider using a money belt or hidden pouch under clothing
Transportation Safety
- Use registered taxis or hotel-arranged transport, especially at night
- Avoid overcrowded shared taxis (gelly-gellys) if possible
- Never accept rides from strangers or unofficial taxis
- If renting a car, inspect it thoroughly and understand local driving customs
- Wear seatbelts at all times and insist drivers do the same
- Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially in traffic
- Have your destination written down to show drivers if needed
Health Precautions
- Complete all recommended vaccinations at least 6 weeks before travel (yellow fever, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, tetanus)
- Begin malaria prophylaxis as directed before arrival
- Pack a comprehensive medical kit including anti-diarrheal medication, oral rehydration salts, and antibiotics if prescribed
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Avoid contact with animals including dogs, monkeys, and bats due to rabies risk
- Seek immediate medical attention for any fever during or after your trip
- Consider hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines even for short stays
Accommodation Safety
- Choose accommodations with good security reviews
- Ensure your room has working locks and use them, including chain locks
- Keep ground floor windows closed and locked
- Don't open your door without verifying who is there
- Know the location of emergency exits
- Store valuables in room safe or hotel safe deposit box
- Be discreet about your room number in public areas
Beach and Water Safety
- Never swim alone or after consuming alcohol
- Keep valuables locked in your hotel, not on the beach
- Be cautious of beach vendors and firmly decline unwanted services
- Watch for strong currents and riptides, especially during rainy season
- Wear water shoes to protect against sea urchins and sharp objects
- Apply and reapply waterproof sunscreen regularly
- Stay hydrated and seek shade during peak sun hours
Cultural Respect and Awareness
- Dress modestly, especially outside tourist areas - cover shoulders and knees
- Ask permission before photographing people, religious sites, or government buildings
- Respect Islamic customs, particularly during Ramadan
- Remove shoes when entering mosques or homes
- Use your right hand for eating and greeting (left hand is considered unclean)
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Be patient with different concepts of time and service standards
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers generally find The Gambia safe, though they may experience more attention and approaches from local men than male travelers. The Gambia has a reputation for romance tourism, which means solo foreign women may receive unwanted romantic or sexual propositions. However, violent crime against women tourists is rare. Cultural norms are more conservative than Western countries, and modest dress and respectful behavior will help minimize unwanted attention.
- Dress modestly covering shoulders, chest, and knees to show respect and minimize attention
- Be firm and clear when declining advances; don't worry about seeming rude
- Avoid walking alone after dark; use registered taxis for evening travel
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers and watch your drinks
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring to deflect unwanted romantic attention
- Be aware that some local men specifically target foreign women for relationships or financial gain
- Join group tours or activities to meet other travelers
- Book accommodations with good security and reviews from solo women travelers
- Keep your hotel room number private and don't invite strangers to your room
- Trust your instincts - if someone makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation
- Be particularly cautious on beaches where 'beach boys' may be persistent
- Carry a phone with local emergency numbers and your embassy contact
- Consider informing hotel staff if anyone is bothering you persistently
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is illegal in The Gambia with severe penalties including imprisonment up to 14 years. Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized under both colonial-era laws and more recent legislation. The legal environment is extremely hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals, and the government has made explicitly anti-LGBTQ+ statements.
- Do not display any public affection with same-sex partners
- Avoid discussing sexual orientation or gender identity publicly
- Be extremely discreet about your sexual orientation or gender identity
- Do not attempt to meet other LGBTQ+ individuals through apps or online as this could lead to arrest or extortion
- Book separate beds/rooms if traveling with a same-sex partner to avoid suspicion
- Be aware that even advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights could result in arrest
- Consider whether travel to The Gambia is advisable given the serious legal and safety risks
- Know your embassy contact information in case of emergency
- Avoid any situations that could be interpreted as promoting LGBTQ+ rights
- Be prepared to claim friendship rather than partnership if questioned
- Consider travel insurance that covers legal issues, though this may not help in practice
- Research your home country's ability to provide consular assistance in LGBTQ+-related incidents
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is absolutely essential for visiting Banjul and The Gambia. The limited and under-resourced healthcare system means that serious illness or injury will likely require expensive medical evacuation to Senegal or Europe. Medical facilities require upfront cash payment regardless of insurance. Additionally, the risk of illness (particularly malaria and gastrointestinal diseases) is significant. Without proper insurance, medical evacuation alone can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more.
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