Overland Gambia Travel

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Visiting Gambia

Gambia is a beautiful country full of wild places and friendly people. It is well worth a visit.

Entering Gambia with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: July 2016

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Gambia, application instructions and fees see: Gambia Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)

(no copies are required)

Process at border

The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration - NOTE if you require a visa you can get it at the border. The list of countries that require a visa is constantly changing.
Customs will issue a Temporary Import Permit for the vehicle.

Cost of entry

Hard to know what the official rate is.. some overlanders have paid nothing for a Temp Import Permit, some have paid Error in price tag: 'XFA' is not a known currency., some have paid Error in price tag: 'XFA' is not a known currency.. It seems to depend on the day and the border.

Permitted length of stay

The same length of time as your visa, usually 21-28 days.

Extension of stay

Unknown

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Unknown

Exiting with a vehicle

Hand the Temporary Import Permit to customs, get yourself stamped out at immigration.

Driving in Gambia

Recommended books for Overlanding in Gambia

Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Lonely Planet The Gambia & Senegal (multi Country Trav...
Lonely Planet The Gambia & Senegal (multi Country Trav...
by Katharina Kane
From $63.57 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon

Travel insurance for Gambia

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements

You must have Insurance to drive in Gambia, and will probably be asked for it.
If you travel through more west African countries get a 'Carte Brun' or CEDEAO insurance which is valid in most west African countries at no extra cost

Cost of vehicle insurance

Insurance for multiple countries in West Africa (Carte Brun) was around €200.00 EUR for 6 months for a newer 4x4. Older vehicles will be cheaper.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

At the border is possible, or in Nouakchott, Mauritania or Dakar, Senegal for the Carte Brune

Driving license

The license from your home country seems good enough for a maximum of 3 months stay.

Driving side of road

Drive on the Right.
RHD tourist-vehicles are permitted without problem for a temporary stay, for permanent import they need to be converted to lhd within max. 3 months.

Mandatory items in vehicle

  • 2x Safety Triangle
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher (that is not expired and is charged)

Roads

General Road quality

The main "North" highway running East to West is very good, the one on the South bank is under construction in 2016.
Many other roads are gravel, but in good shape.

Road signs

Road signs are present on the highway, and usually good.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Gambia, but crossing the ferries can be expensive (see below)

Bribery in Gambia

Bribery can happen in Gambia, more than likely you will just be asked for a gift, which you can just smile away, or give a business card or something.
See the bribery tips page for advice.

Checkpoints

Police / Military checkpoints are extremely frequent in Gambia. All are very friendly, and more than likely the officers will just want to shake your hand and meet you.

Traveling with pets

Unknown.

Gas price in Gambia and Diesel price in Gambia

Last updated: July 2016

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded D50.00 GMD per Liter
Diesel D45.00 GMD per Liter

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Shortages do not seem to common but happen, mostly dieselproblems, all stations have gas and diesel.
All towns have a station, distances are not large.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Gasoline seemed to be of good quality.
Sulfur content of Diesel is unknown.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Driving at night should be avoided due to road hazards and vehicles with no lights.

Vehicle parking

Parking on the street during the day seems fine, maybe not in Banjul. Secure parking overnight is recommended.

Special driving considerations

Animals on the road is very common, roads in the center of Banjul are extremely poor - watch out for massive potholes, cracks, etc.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Gambia

Camping is common enough in Gambia, most towns have a hotel type place you can camp, usually costing around D200.00 GMD for two people per night in a 4x4. Ask first, you might be able to negotiate camping free if you eat in the restaurant of the hotel.
Wild camping is very possible and seems safe enough - ask in the village first if you are close enough to be seen.

Camping guide books

Unknown.

Drinking water

Tap water should be filtered before drinking, otherwise buy water.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are among the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Gambia

Senegal & Gambia 1:550,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, Gps...
Senegal & Gambia 1:550,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, Gps...
by Reise Knowhow
From $12.95 on Amazon
Nonfiction Reading And Writing Workshop Springboard: A...
Nonfiction Reading And Writing Workshop Springboard: A...
by National Geographic Learning
From $14.95 on Amazon
Senegal 1:740,000 & Gambia 1:340,000 Travel Map (inter...
Senegal 1:740,000 & Gambia 1:340,000 Travel Map (inter...
by ITM Canada
From $8.21 on Amazon
Gambia Is Where The Heart Is: Country Flag A5 Notebook...
Gambia Is Where The Heart Is: Country Flag A5 Notebook...
by Travel Journal Publishers
From $7.99 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Gambia

  • Garmin Open Street Maps has excellent coverage of all roads - highways and cities.
  • Tracks4Africa is an SD Card for Garmin GPS, and contain Routable turn-by-turn maps with 809,000 kms of roads and over 129,000 points of interest.
Gps Map Of Africa
Gps Map Of Africa
From $click on Amazon

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Gambia

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

  • Crossing the Barra - Banjul Ferry: The line up can take a very long time (9+ hours) - try to arrive as early as possible in the morning. When paying, you will be told the price is D5,000.00 GMD because your car has foreign license plates. Their system will not let it be done any other way. Say you will pay in a foreign currency, and it's only $10USD or 10Euro.

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Gambia

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.


Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.