Health & Safety
Vaccinations, malaria, water, and the practical stuff travellers actually want to know.
Both The Gambia and Senegal are broadly safe and well-travelled destinations. The health risks are manageable with preparation; the safety situation for tourists is generally good. The main things to address before you go: malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations.
Vaccinations
Speak to a travel clinic or GP 6–8 weeks before departure to get personalised advice for your itinerary and medical history.
Yellow fever — Officially required for entry if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Strongly recommended for all visitors regardless. The vaccine is administered once and provides lifelong protection. You will be issued a Carte Jaune (yellow card) as proof — carry the original; keep a photo copy separately.
Hepatitis A — Recommended for all visitors. Transmitted via contaminated food and water; common in the region.
Typhoid — Recommended, particularly if you plan to eat street food or travel off the main tourist circuit.
Tetanus — Ensure your routine boosters are up to date.
Hepatitis B — Recommended for longer stays, travellers planning medical procedures, or those who may have contact with blood or body fluids.
Meningococcal ACWY — Consider if travelling during or just after the dry season, or for extended stays.
Rabies — Consider if spending extended time outdoors, working with animals, or travelling far from medical care.
Malaria
Malaria (primarily Plasmodium falciparum, the most serious strain) is present year-round in both countries. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Three main options — your travel clinic will recommend based on your health profile:
- Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone): Start 1–2 days before travel, continue for 7 days after return. Well-tolerated. Expensive if bought in the UK; sometimes available more cheaply at destination pharmacies with a prescription.
- Doxycycline: Start 2 days before, continue for 28 days after return. Cheap and widely available. Can cause sun sensitivity (use high-SPF sunscreen) and should be taken with food.
- Mefloquine (Lariam): Start 3 weeks before, continue 4 weeks after. Once-weekly dose. Not suitable for everyone — discuss history of anxiety, depression or seizures with your doctor.
Mosquito protection is equally important:
- Use DEET or picaridin-based repellent (30–50% concentration) on all exposed skin from dusk onwards
- Sleep under a mosquito net — most hotels in tourist areas provide one
- Wear light long-sleeved clothing and long trousers in the evenings
- Air conditioning reduces mosquito activity; open windows let them in
If you develop a fever during or after travel, seek medical attention immediately and mention where you have been — malaria symptoms can appear up to 3 months after return.
Food, Water and Stomach Health
Drinking water: Use bottled water only (widely and cheaply available). Do not drink tap water or use it for brushing teeth in budget accommodation. Ice in drinks at established tourist hotels is generally safe; exercise caution elsewhere.
Food safety: Cooked street food served fresh and hot is generally safe. Avoid pre-prepared salads, raw shellfish, and food that has been sitting out in the heat. Peel fruit yourself.
Stomach upset is common in the first few days — carry oral rehydration salts and mild antidiarrhoeal medication (loperamide) for management. If symptoms are severe or involve high fever, seek medical advice.
Medical Facilities
The Gambia: The main public facility is the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul. The MRC (Medical Research Council) Clinic in Fajara is a good option for tourists and offers good-standard treatment. Several private clinics operate in the tourist strip area. Medical evacuation insurance is essential for serious emergencies.
Senegal: Dakar has several good private hospitals and clinics, including Clinique Pasteur and Clinique du Cap. Outside Dakar, facilities are limited. In Ziguinchor and Saint-Louis, regional hospitals are present but not always fully equipped. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.
Safety
The Gambia is one of the safest tourist destinations in West Africa. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main irritation for visitors is bumsters — young men on the tourist strip who offer unsolicited services as guides, taxi drivers or friends. They are persistent but not dangerous. A clear, firm "no thank you" without extended eye contact is enough. Walk confidently and avoid engaging.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach. Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original. Avoid beach walks after dark, particularly in remote stretches.
Senegal has a similar profile. Dakar is a large city and standard urban precautions apply: be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas like markets and bus stations; keep bags close. Outside Dakar, the country is very relaxed.
Current travel advisories: Check your government's travel advice within a month of departure — gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/gambia for UK travellers; travel.state.gov for US travellers. Both countries typically carry a "take normal precautions" or equivalent advisory for the main tourist areas.