Overland Gambia Travel
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Contents
Visiting Gambia
Gambia is a beautiful country full of wild places and friendly people. It is well worth a visit.
Travel Visa for Gambia
Very few nationalities require a visa for Gambia, and those that do can get one at the border. Show up and you'll either get in for free, or you can buy a visa at the border.
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner.
- Drivers license of registered owner.
- Original vehicle registration.
- Proof of vehicle insurance.
(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
When arriving at the airport and when leaving through the airport everybody as to pay either D1,000.00 GMD or €20.00 EUR or $20.00 USD . You should pay in Gambian Dalasi (GMD) since 1,000 Dalasi is a about 14 euros.
Permitted length of stay
The same length of time as your visa, usually 21-28 days, but also a month or longer is easy to obtain.
Extension of stay
Unknown
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Customs at the borders with Senegal will not stamp the vehicle in your passport. No issue to leave the country without the vehicle. When your Temporary Import Permit is expired upon return, it is possible to obtain a new one by paying a fee.
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
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 Brune'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 Brune) 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 Box
- 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 not anymore extremely frequent in Gambia as in Jammehs time( before jan.2017). Most 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: May 2022
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded | D69.52 GMD per Liter |
| Diesel | D64.78 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.
Booking a Private Driver
You should book a private Driver, that knows the area. This is usually safer than driving yourself.
List of Private Drivers:
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Gambia - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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.
See also http://www.camping-gambia.de/english.htm.
Camping guide books
Unknown.
Drinking water
Tap water should be filtered before drinking, otherwise buy water.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are among the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Gambia
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 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: since july 2017 there is a brandnew ferry( constructed in the Netherlands ) at service, it is fast and can take much more vehicles,
waiting time depends, as there is also an old (slow) ferry running. you need to pay in foreign currency for the vehicle, most preferable cfa or euro. ticket for private car is officially 500,- dalasi. [ http://foroyaa.gm/gpa-increases-tariff-on-river-crossing/ ] but foreign registered vehicles need to pay the ticket in foreign currency.they demand 7000 CFA for a private car. again now one need to buy the ticket for any vehicle already at the weight bridge sales point in essau,few km before you arrive at barra!
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
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.
- Gambia: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Gambia - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Gambia travel guides at wikivoyage
- Gambia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
