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The Gambia Packing List: What to Actually Bring
Most packing lists are interchangeable. Ours is not — this one is built specifically for The Gambia's climate, culture and quirks. What works for a fortnight in Tenerife does not work here, and there are at least ten things most first-timers forget.
This guide covers a 10–14 day trip in the main November–April season. Where it differs for shoulder months (October, May) or specific activities (birding, upriver trips), we've flagged it.
Quick-answer box — the 10 non-negotiables
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (paper, not just digital)
- Antimalarial medication (prescribed before you travel)
- DEET-based mosquito repellent — 30% minimum
- Head torch with spare batteries (power cuts happen)
- Two forms of cash: GBP notes and a Visa/Mastercard
- Light cotton long-sleeved shirt and long trousers for evenings and villages
- Sun hat that actually covers your ears and neck
- Rehydration salts and Imodium
- Unlocked phone for a local SIM
- Reusable water bottle with a filter (LifeStraw or Grayl)
Everything else is detail.
Documents and money
- Passport with 6 months' validity and two blank pages
- Yellow fever certificate — officially required; border officials do ask [VERIFY: current rule]
- Printed hotel bookings for the first night (immigration sometimes asks)
- Travel insurance certificate with 24-hour medical assistance number
- GBP or Euro cash — the Dalasi is a closed currency, you can only buy it on arrival. £300–500 in cash is a sensible starting amount for two weeks
- Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card — ATMs in Kololi, Kotu, Bakau and Banjul work reliably; Amex is useless
- A second card stored separately from your main wallet
- Photocopies of passport photo page, stored separately
Do not rely on phone photos as your only backup. Signal drops out, phones get stolen, immigration wants paper.
Clothing
The rule is light, breathable and modest-friendly. Outside the tourist strip — especially in Banjul, Serrekunda, upcountry villages — covering shoulders and knees is a courtesy rather than a requirement, but a noticeable one.
Men — 10 days
- 3–4 lightweight T-shirts (cotton or technical synthetic)
- 1 long-sleeved shirt (linen or light cotton) for evenings and villages
- 1 smart-casual shirt for Ngala Lodge, Butcher's Shop, nicer restaurants
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 pair lightweight long trousers (essential for dawn birding — mosquitoes)
- Swimwear (2 pairs rotates with drying time)
- Underwear and socks for 7 days (launder mid-trip)
- 1 light fleece or hoodie — Harmattan mornings in January hit 17 °C
- Comfortable walking sandals
- One pair of light trainers or closed walking shoes for upriver days
- Flip-flops for the pool
Women — 10 days
- 4 lightweight tops (mix of T-shirts and sleeveless)
- 1 long-sleeved shirt or cotton blouse
- 2 dresses or skirts (knee-length for village visits)
- 1 smart-casual outfit for a good restaurant
- 2 pairs of shorts or cropped trousers
- 1 pair of light long trousers or linen trousers
- 1 maxi dress or sarong — doubles for beach cover-up, restaurant, village visits
- Swimwear (2)
- Light scarf or pashmina — useful in air-conditioning, on early mornings, and as a courtesy cover
- Fleece or cardigan
- Comfortable walking sandals
- Trainers or closed shoes for upriver
- Flip-flops
What not to wear
- Camouflage patterns — illegal in many West African countries and treated with suspicion here. Don't pack khaki combats.
- Revealing beachwear off the beach — bikinis are fine on hotel beaches, not fine walking to the shop
- Heavy denim jeans — too hot for almost every use
Sun, heat and bugs
The Gambia sits at 13°N. Midday UV is strong from November through to May, and the coastal breeze will mask how badly you're burning.
- SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen, enough for the whole trip — imported sunscreen on the ground is expensive and the range is limited
- After-sun or aloe vera gel
- Lip balm with SPF
- Proper sun hat — wide-brimmed or legionnaire-style, not a baseball cap
- Polarised sunglasses — glare off sand and water is fierce, polarisation is especially useful for birders
- DEET 30% repellent — essential at dawn, dusk and for any upriver time
- Anti-itch cream for the bites you'll still get
- A bed-net treatment spray if you're staying upriver or in budget accommodation without window screens
Medical kit
Speak to a UK travel clinic 4–6 weeks before flying. [VERIFY: current NHS fitfortravel recommendations]
Prescription:
- Antimalarials — typically Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) for tourist stays. Take the full course including after you return.
- Any personal prescription medicines in original labelled packaging, plus a copy of the prescription
Over-the-counter:
- Imodium (loperamide) — one pack
- Oral rehydration salts (Dioralyte or similar) — more important than Imodium
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Antihistamines (loratadine or cetirizine)
- Plasters and a small roll of surgical tape
- Antiseptic wipes or a small bottle of TCP
- Hydrocortisone cream for bites
- Antibacterial hand gel
Vaccinations to have before you go:
- Yellow fever (certificate required)
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Tetanus booster if more than 10 years lapsed
- Hepatitis B for longer or more adventurous trips
- Rabies if you'll be upcountry or working with animals
[VERIFY: latest advice before booking — rules change]
Tech and electronics
- Unlocked phone — get an Africell or QCell SIM on arrival for £2–4 with a generous data bundle
- Power bank 10,000 mAh minimum — power cuts are common outside main hotels
- Charger and cable (UK type G plug — no adapter needed, same as home)
- Camera if you care — phone cameras struggle with Gambian birdlife
- Binoculars for any day trip to a reserve or creek — 8x42 is the standard
- E-reader — easier, cheaper, less theft-attracting than a tablet
- Head torch — genuinely one of the most useful items, for power cuts and for early-morning birding
Birding add-ons
If birds are part of why you're going — and they often end up being even if you didn't plan it:
- Binoculars (8x42, 10x42 if you know what you're doing)
- A Gambian field guide — Borrow or Demey, Field Guide to Birds of Senegal and The Gambia is the standard
- Small notebook and pencil
- Smartphone bird ID app (Merlin or eBird) — pre-download the West Africa pack
- Quiet, muted-colour clothing (greens, browns, not bright white)
What NOT to bring
- Expensive jewellery — leave it at home
- Drones — legal grey area, confiscation reported at airport [VERIFY]
- Camouflage clothing — as above
- Large quantities of gifts for children on the beach — sweets and cheap toys fuel the begging economy. Give to schools or village elders with local guidance.
- Hair dryers/straighteners with European plugs only — the plug is UK type G, not European round-pin
- White "expedition" clothing — marks up instantly in dust and red earth
What to buy locally instead
- Bottled water (30–40 GMD per 1.5L bottle)
- A cheap local SIM with data
- Flip-flops (available everywhere, 150–300 GMD)
- A light kaftan, shirt or wrap
- Batik-print fabric by the metre at Serrekunda or Brikama markets
Season-specific additions
November–December (early season)
- Light fleece for Harmattan mornings
January–February (peak Harmattan)
- Long-sleeved jumper or fleece — 17 °C mornings are genuine
- Lens cloth for camera/binoculars — Harmattan dust gets everywhere
March–May (late dry season)
- Maximum sun protection (SPF 50, rash vests for snorkelling)
- Lighter clothing generally; fleeces unnecessary
October or late May (shoulder)
- Light rain jacket or packable poncho
- An extra pair of quick-dry shoes
FAQ
Do I need a power adapter for The Gambia?
No — The Gambia uses UK-style type G plugs. Your UK chargers plug in directly.
Is tap water safe to drink?
No. Bottled water is cheap (30–40 GMD per 1.5L) and universal. Use it for brushing teeth too if you're at all cautious.
What's the best way to carry cash?
A small money belt for main cash and cards, with just a day's dalasi in your wallet or pocket.
Do I need hiking boots?
No. Comfortable walking sandals and one pair of trainers or closed walking shoes for upriver covers everything.
Packed? Read our full Gambia holidays guide for the whole picture. Check best time to visit The Gambia to make sure you've picked the right month.