The Gambia and Senegal share a single climate, divided into a long dry season (November to May) and a short, intense rainy season (June to October). For most visitors, the dry season is the obvious choice — but each month has its own character.
November to February: Peak Season
This is when European package tourism is in full swing in The Gambia. Days are warm (28-32°C), nights are cool (15-20°C), and the air is dry. The Harmattan wind sometimes blows in from the Sahara in January, hazing the sky and dropping temperatures further.
March to May: Hot Dry
Temperatures climb steadily — by May the coast is in the high 30s and the interior is brutally hot. Crowds thin and prices drop, but the heat can be punishing.
June to October: Green Season
The rains break in June and last until October. Travel is harder — some upcountry roads become impassable — but the landscape is transformed and birding is at its best. Many beach hotels close.