Go, but pay attention.
The Gambia Sketch Score rose to 72 today, and while the UK advises normal precautions, the US and Canada remain at level 2 due to increased caution. There are no active health notices for the country.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Gambia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Fake hotel staff
Strangers claim to work at your hotel to lure you to another location for robbery. Decline the invitation and keep moving.
Drug entrapment
Individuals offer marijuana or invite you to smoke at a home to lure you into a police shakedown for bribes. Dismiss them immediately by stating you are in a hurry and avoid further conversation.
Hardship solicitation
People use hardship stories to solicit money. Do not provide funds, as giving money leads to repeated demands for more cash.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Border bribe solicitation
Military personnel at border crossings demand payment to stamp passports. Do not pay these bribes, as it fuels corruption.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
No active CDC travel health notices right now.
Vaccines
Recommended:
From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •There are a number of very commonly used scams in The Gambia.
- •Sadly, many Gambian military have an unfavorable view of Brits (sometimes white people in general) and can be extremely racist.
- •Scams also exist in which marijuana is offered to tourists or they are invited to come smoke in a home, only to find police waiting for a hefty bribe.
Staying healthy
- •Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended.
- •It is a good idea to bring insect repellent, sunscreen and other health items from your home country since these may be hard to find in some areas.
- •Residents say the tap water is drinkable, but for travelers bottled or boiled water is advised, because you may get sick from the different minerals and microbes in the water.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
G · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 117 / ambulance: 116 / fire: 118
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-07-12
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-07-12
- ca-gac — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-07-12
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-07-12
- acled-hdx — observed 2026-07-12
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-07-12