Packing List
What to bring, what to leave, and the 10 things most first-timers forget.
The Gambia and Senegal share the same tropical climate: hot, bright, and — outside the wet season — dry. Packing is lightweight by default. The mistakes most first-timers make are overpacking on clothes and underpacking on sun protection and health supplies.
Clothing
The basics: Lightweight, breathable fabric is everything. Linen or light cotton performs better than synthetics in the heat. Synthetic quick-dry fabrics are useful but can feel clammy.
- 3–4 lightweight shirts or tops
- 2–3 pairs of light trousers or shorts (long trousers are more versatile — cover up at mosques, in villages, and on evenings when mosquitoes are active)
- 1 smart-casual outfit (some hotel restaurants have a semi-smart dress code)
- Swimwear ×2
- Light long-sleeve layer for air-conditioned coaches, flights, and cool evenings in January–February
- A sarong (doubles as a beach cover-up, light blanket, and respectful covering at village visits)
Footwear: Comfortable sandals cover 80% of your trip. Bring one pair of closed shoes for evening walks and cobbled old towns. Flip-flops for the beach.
Sun Protection
This is what most people underpack on. You are at 13° North latitude — the sun is intense even in December.
- Sunscreen SPF 50 (expensive and hard to find locally — bring enough for the trip)
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel
- Good sunglasses with UV protection
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap (non-negotiable on boat trips and beach days)
- UV-protective rashguard or long-sleeve swim top (especially useful in the water)
Health & Mosquito Protection
- Malaria prophylaxis — prescribed and dispensed before travel; see the Health & Safety page for options
- DEET or picaridin insect repellent (30–50% concentration) — the most important item after sunscreen
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (Carte Jaune) — carry the original
- Basic first-aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes/cream, ibuprofen, antihistamine tablets
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — essential for stomach upsets; available locally but easier to pack a few sachets
- Loperamide (Imodium) for acute diarrhoea
- Water purification tablets or a filter bottle (LifeStraw, SteriPen) for travel off the main circuit
Documents
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond your return date — keep a separate photo copy
- Travel insurance documents and your insurer's 24-hour emergency number (saved offline)
- Yellow fever certificate (original)
- Any prescription medications in original packaging with the pharmacy label
- Printed or offline copies of key bookings (hotel, flights, transfers)
Electronics
Power adapters — important:
- The Gambia uses UK 3-pin plugs (Type G), 230V
- Senegal uses European round-pin plugs (Type C/E), 230V
- If visiting both countries, bring a universal travel adapter
Other essentials:
- Portable power bank (load-shedding is occasional in The Gambia; power outages happen)
- Phone with offline maps downloaded (Google Maps or Maps.me offline areas)
- E-reader or downloaded entertainment (reliable Wi-Fi is not guaranteed everywhere)
- A physical alarm clock or watch (for early-morning birding walks, pre-dawn fishing trips)
Optional But Worth It
- Binoculars — even a basic 8×42 pair transforms birdwatching on Kotu Stream, in the Sine-Saloum, or anywhere in the Casamance. One of the highest-return, lowest-weight additions to your bag.
- Lightweight rain jacket — essential June–October; useful even in shoulder months for boat trips
- Small padlock — for guesthouse lockers and backpack zips in crowded spaces
- Headtorch — for power cuts and early-morning or late-evening activities
What to Leave at Home
- Heavy denim jeans — too hot, too slow to dry, take up too much space
- Expensive jewellery or watches — keep valuables minimal and inconspicuous
- A drone — regulations in both countries are unclear, and confiscation at Banjul Airport has been reported; not worth the hassle unless you have confirmed local operator permission
- Too many books — take one; buy/swap locally or use your e-reader