GENVISEC
Protecting People and Profit
Gambia
Overall country Risk Rating:
BBB - A regulated state with high corruption and a medium frequency of crime risk against foreigners. The terrorism risk is low. The workplace HSE risk is medium.The country scored 144/177 on the corruption perception index, with a score of -0.979 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)
Crime
Attacks on tourists are increasing, particularly the theft of passports and other valuables from hotel rooms. Don’t take valuables or large sums of money to the beach, or display them in public. Take particular care when visiting isolated beaches and markets.
Both male and female visitors should be particularly cautious of young men locally known as ‘bumsters’ who approach tourists, particularly on beaches, offering help or to act as local guides. Be polite but firm in refusing unwanted help or attempts at conversation. Visitors should also be wary of offers, usually from ‘bumsters’, to take them on tours into Senegal. It is unlikely that the correct immigration procedures, which might include obtaining a visa for Senegal, will be followed. This could result in detention by Immigration Authorities.
Don’t leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Take particular care in unlit areas or in places away from the Tourist Development Area.
Corruption is endemic at all levels.
Political Situation
The Gambia withdrew from the Commonwealth on 3 October 2013. A period of anti-UK rhetoric by the Gambian President followed this decision. Although this rhetoric has since subsided and anti-UK sentiment among the wider population appears limited, you should avoid discussing politically sensitive topics.
Following political disagreement between the government of The Gambia and the European Union about the deterioration of human rights in The Gambia there has been an increase in political tension which may lead to unannounced demonstrations in Banjul and other parts of the country. You should avoid all demonstrations
Road travel
You can drive using a UK/European driving licence for up to three months.
Driving standards are bad and roads severely potholed. Driving after dark carries added hazards because of poor road and vehicle lighting. In the event of an accident, emergency medical facilities are very limited. Security checkpoints are common on all major routes in The Gambia. They are not always well sign-posted and you should take care when approaching them.
Rainfall occurs in The Gambia between June-October. Heavy rainfall can create localised flooding. Take care if you’re going up-country or travelling on non-paved roads during this period.
Some local taxis are not roadworthy.
Air travel
A compulsory Airport Development Fee must be paid on exiting the country. The fee is 20 Euros, or equivalent in local currency. Visa credit card is accepted, but no others. Passengers in transit and infants under 2 years old are exempt. Check with your travel company whether this fee has been included in your air ticket.
River travel
Take care when using the ferry between Banjul and Barra. It can be very crowded and safety measures are not up to European standards. When using the ferry get out of your vehicle quickly after parking to avoid becoming trapped inside for the duration of the journey. Don’t use the ferry after dark.
Pirogues (wooden dug-out canoes) operate in The Gambia. These can be overloaded and safety measures are not up to European standards. They are not recommended for long journeys and you should make sure they have life jackets.
Take care when swimming in the sea. Tides, waves and under currents can all be very strong.
Health
There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in The Gambia. For advice relating to Ebola, see the Genvisec page.
The Gambian government has closed its air borders with Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. The government has also announced that any international traveller who has been present in one of these 4 countries within 21 days of arrival in The Gambia won’t be allowed to enter.
Contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.
Malaria is present in all areas of The Gambia throughout the year.
Medical facilities in The Gambia are very limited and the cost of medical evacuation can be very high. Private clinics will only treat fee-paying patients. If you intend to bring prescription medication you should also bring a copy of your prescription and keep items in the original packaging.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines like those containing codeine or diazepam are banned under The Gambia’s drugs laws. If in any doubt about the customs procedures for such items, check with the Gambian Embassy before you travel.
In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 17,000 adults aged 15 or over in Gambia were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 2% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
Money
The Gambia remains primarily a cash-based economy. Not all hotels will accept travellers cheques. Check with your tour operator or hotel before travelling. An increasing number of hotels and restaurants will accept Visa debit cards but very few will accept credit cards. Mastercard is generally not accepted. There is an ATM in the tourist area of Senegambia and several other locations but ATMs are often unreliable.
Local laws and customs
Local laws reflect the fact that The Gambia is an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
In 2015, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start on 18 June and finish on 18 July.
Although the law stipulates that detainees can’t be held for longer than 72 hours without charge, this is regularly exceeded.
Foreign Embassies are routinely denied access by The Gambian authorities to foreign nationals detained or arrested in The Gambia. Your embassy can’t guarantee it will be able to see you or provide assistance if you experience difficulties.
Recent amendments to the Gambian criminal code have criminalised a range of behaviour including causing a public nuisance, which can carry a 5-year prison term and/or a fine of 250,000 Dalasi.
There is a zero tolerance towards illegal drugs. The Gambian authorities will take strong action against anyone importing, exporting or found in possession of drugs. Don’t accept packages on behalf of anyone without knowing the contents. Sentences for those found in possession of drugs can be up to £200,000 or 15 years in prison. Westerners carrying a minimal amount of cannabis have been sentenced to ten years in prison. Cases of entrapment by Gambian authorities are not uncommon.
The death penalty applies for a number of crimes including arson, murder and treason. The Gambia resumed executions in 2012.
There are heavy penalties for any form of sexual offence against a child. There are reports of increased child sex tourism. Report any incidences to police officials. You must carry ID with you at all times. Carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original locked away.
There is a zero tolerance towards LGBT people in The Gambia. Although there are no laws specifically covering homosexuality, the Gambian Criminal Code states that any person who has or attempts to have ‘carnal knowledge’ of any person ‘against the order of nature’ is guilty of a crime and could face 14 years’ imprisonment. Any private citizen has the power of arrest for these offences. There is increasing inflammatory homophobic rhetoric from the Gambian President. Foreign nationals have been detained by the police in relation to suspected or alleged homosexuality. Gambian law criminalises the act of men dressing as women with a 5-year jail term.
Visas
For visits of less than a month, you don’t need to get a visa before you travel. European nationals are given a 28 day stamp in their passports on arrival. You can get further 28-day extensions from the Immigration Office in Banjul or the Tourist Police Stations in the Tourism Development Area.
If you’re planning to enter The Gambia for a period longer than 3 months, check entry requirements with the Gambian Embassy in your home country.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are valid for entry and exit at Banjul airport.
Yellow fever
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Consular Services
UK Citizens
British Embassy Banjul
48 Atlantic Road
Fajara
PO Box 507
Banjul
Banjul
Gambia
Email:
Telephone
+220 4494508/4495134/4495133
US Citizens
American Embassy Banjul
Kairaba Avenue, Fajara
P.M.B. 19
Banjul
The Gambia
Tel: (220) 439-2856
Fax: (220) 439-2475
Norwegian/Swedish Citizens
Mr Robert Hardmark
Honorary Consul of Norway
Office
1 Mamakotu Road, 1st Floor
5 metres from the main rd.
P.O. Box 4396, Bakau New Town
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel no: +220 4496869 / 4465288
Fax: +220 449 58 70
+220 446 61 80
Email: hardmark@gamtel.gm
Australian Citizens
Australia has no diplomatic representation in Gambia, all problems are dealt with by the Embassy in Nigeria.
Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria
Address
5th Floor, Oakland Centre,
48 Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja
Nigeria
Postal address
PMB 5152, Wuse Post Office
Abuja 00009
Telephone
+234 9 461 2780
Fax
+234 9 461 2782
General enquiries: ahc.abuja@dfat.gov.au