More than 32,000 of the total 1.78 million inhabitants of the Gambia live in Banjul, the country’s capital, which is also still known by its former name, Bathurst.
More than 32,000 of the total 1.78 million inhabitants of the Gambia live in Banjul, the country’s capital, which is also still known by its former name, Bathurst. Around 90% of the population adheres to the Islamic faith. The few animists and Christians in the country form a religious minority. The official language of the Gambia is English. However, many different African languages are spoken regionally, such as Jola, Mandinka, Fula or Wolof.
Highlights of the Gambia
Despite its small size, the Gambia offers an exceptionally wide variety of attractions. The landscape alone is very diverse, with large swamp areas, pristine tropical forests, wooded savannah regions and wide sandy beaches along the Atlantic. The beaches near Banjul are considered the best bathing spots in all of Africa. A holiday can be spent in many places right by the beach in one of the numerous hotels.
In the towns and villages of the country, there are also many historical and cultural sights to discover. Some can be found, for example, in the capital Banjul. Around MacCarthy Square in the city stand many buildings that were constructed in the 19th century in the colonial style. The cities of Georgetown, once a major trading hub, Sutukoba or Basse Santa Su as an important trade centre are also worth a visit.
Location and climate of the Gambia
The Gambia is a small country in West Africa on the edge of the tropics. It shares a long border with the country of Senegal and has a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Gambia has a tropical Sahel climate, with more moderate temperatures along the coast and very hot temperatures inland. From March to June, daytime temperatures in the interior of the country can reach up to 43 degrees Celsius. Especially during the rainy season, which lasts from June to November, the country experiences a humid and hot climate. Although the rainy season lasts shorter in the interior than on the coast, it is not uncommon for many roads in the interior to become impassable due to the rain during this time. In the dry season from November to May, the entire country is significantly cooler with average temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius. This is due to the cool air that is blown into the country from the Sahara by the Harmattan.
Arrival and entry
The Banjul International Airport is the only international airport in the Gambia. It can be reached from Germany by direct flight. The airport is located about 20 kilometres from the city centre. From there, onward travel is possible by taxi or rental car. However, travel by taxi is only possible within the boundaries of Banjul, as taxis are not permitted to cross the national border. From the port in Banjul, it is also possible to reach the city of Dakar in Senegal by ship.
German nationals require a passport, a return ticket, sufficient financial means and a visa to enter the Gambia. The visa is valid for 21 or 28 days. If a longer stay is planned, a paid extension of stay must be applied for. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is only required upon entry from yellow fever areas, but the vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
