Country Profile - Gambia

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1965.
Head of State and Government: President Yayah Jammeh since 1994.

Language: The official language is English. Local languages are Fula, Jola, Mandinka, Serahule and Wolof.

Religion: Over 80 per cent Muslim, with the remainder holding either Christian or Animist beliefs.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are either round three-pin or square three-pin (15 or 13 amps).

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 220. Outgoing international code: 00. The country has an automatic telephone system.

Mobile telephone: There are nine GAMTEL offices in Banjul offering this service, some on a 24-hour basis.

Fax: There are nine GAMTEL offices in Banjul offering this service, some on a 24-hour basis.

Internet: Main ISPs include GAMTEL (website: www.gamtel.gm) and Quantumnet (website: www.qanet.gm). E-mail can be accessed in Internet cafes in major towns.

Telegram: Services are run by GAMTEL, Cameron Street, Banjul.
Post: Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1700, Sat 0800-1100.

Press: Newspapers are English-language and include The Daily Observer, The Gambia Daily, The Gambian and The Independent.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 3 months after date of return required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for a maximum stay of 3 months:

(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above (except 1. nationals of Austria, Canada, France, Japan, Portugal, Spain and the USA who do need a visa);

(b) nationals of Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon*, Liberia*, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone*, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Zambia;

(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 2 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: (a)* These nationals do not require a visa, but do require clearance from the Embassy/High Commission. (b) Nationals of some countries always require a transit visa; enquire with airline for details. (c) All visitors must hold return or onward tickets, all documents for their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business: £20 (single-entry); £40 (multiple-entry).

Validity: Single-entry visas are valid for 6 months. Multiple-entry visas are valid for 12 months. Extensions are possible and should be applied for at the Immigration Office in The Gambia.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee, payable in cash, cheque or postal order only. (e) Stamped, self-addressed envelope (by registered post) or £3.50 for postal applications. (f) For business trips, a letter of invitation from the company in The Gambia or a letter from the applicant’s employer explaining the purpose of the visit.

Working days required: 48 hours in person. At least 1 week by post.

Temporary residence: Enquiries should be referred to The Gambian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate (see Contact Addresses section).

Money

Currency: Gambian Dalasi (D) = 100 bututs. Notes are in denominations of D50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of D1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 bututs.

Currency exchange: There is a bank/bureau de change (Meridien Bank) at the airport operating during scheduled flights. The capital, Banjul, also has a number of banks where foreign currencies can be exchanged. Some hotels and tourist resorts also offer foreign exchange facilities, but tend to charge high commissions. ATMs are available in large urban areas.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in most hotels if arranged at the beginning of the stay. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Dalasi against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Currency restrictions: The thriving black market for hard currency is officially discouraged, and visitors must complete a currency declaration form on arrival. Currency from Algeria, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Tunisia is neither accepted nor exchanged. There are no restrictions on the import of local or other foreign currencies. Export of local or other foreign currencies is up to the amount imported. CFA Francs are accepted. Local currency may be difficult to exchange outside the country but there are no restrictions on its import and export.

Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1330, Fri 0800-1100. Some banks open on Saturday and opening hours may vary from place to place.

Duty Free

Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into The Gambia without incurring customs duty:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco (or mixed to the same total weight); 750ml of spirits; 1500ml of beer or wine; 284ml of perfume or toilet water; goods up to a value of D1000 (members of families travelling together may aggregate their individual allowances provided no single article exceeds D1000 in value).

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 18 Independence Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Milad al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). Jul 22 Revolution Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 14-16 Koriteh (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 18 Independence Day. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Easter Monday. Apr 21 Milad al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). May 1 Labour Day. Jul 22 Revolution Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 3-5 Koriteh (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Koriteh, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Koriteh itself. Koriteh and Tabaski may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

Health

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age arriving from endemic or infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to The Gambia. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are necessary. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.

3: Immunisation against typhoid and poliomyelitis is often advised.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Chloroquine resistance has been reported.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is endemic. Epidemics of meningococcal disease may occur throughout tropical Africa, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Immunisation against diphtheria is sometimes recommended.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Visitors are advised to bring good supplies of sunscreen, insect repellent and indigestion/diarrhoea medicines; all of these may be needed and they can prove expensive or, in some cases, impossible to buy in The Gambia. The Government provides both therapeutic and preventative medical and health services, and plays a dominant role in health services. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Travel – International

AIR: The main airlines to serve The Gambia are Air Senegal, Ghana Airways and Nigeria Airways. There are also many charter services.

Approximate flight times: From Banjul to London is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes (direct).

International airports: Banjul (BJL) (Yundum International) is 20km (11 miles) southwest of the city. Taxis are available to the city (travel time – approximately 30 minutes). During 1989, NASA upgraded airport facilities to enable it to serve as an emergency space-shuttle landing site. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, post office and car hire (Hertz).

Departure tax: None.

Tourist tax: A tourist tax applies for all tourists arriving at Banjul International Airport, no matter from which country. Travellers can pay in Euros (€10), Sterling (£5) or US Dollars (US$10).

RIVER: Ferries operate services between Banjul and Dakar or Ziguinchor (Senegal). This tends to be a more efficient form of travel than overland.

ROAD: Taxis can be hired between Dakar (Senegal) and Barra. Buses also travel between Senegal and The Gambia.

Travel – Internal

Note: Visitors should not travel by road from The Gambia to Casamance in southern Senegal because of the risk of armed banditry. Crime against tourists is rare, but sensible precautions must be taken and vigilant maintained. Care should be taken when driving or walking on roads, particularly at night, due to unpredictable driving standards and lack of street lighting.

RIVER: There are no longer any scheduled services along the River Gambia, although private charters are available.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are 2700km (1675 miles) of roads in the country, about 32 per cent of which are paved. Roads in and around Banjul are mostly bituminised, but unsealed roads often become impassable in the rainy season. Road construction programmes include the new link from Banjul to Serrekunda and the proposed link from Lamin Koto to Passimas. The Trans-Gambia Highway and Kombo coastal roads are being upgraded. Bus: Local buses operate between Banjul and a number of towns and villages throughout the country. The services are fairly reliable, but buses tend to be overcrowded. Taxis: These are available outside main hotels. City taxis are usually painted yellow and tourist taxis painted green; the latter can be hired to go anywhere in the country. It is advisable to settle taxi fares in advance. Car hire: This is possible; check with the car hire company for details before travelling. Documentation: An International Driving Permit will be accepted for a period of 3 months. A temporary licence is available from the local authorities on presentation of a valid UK licence.

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: By African standards, The Gambia has a fairly developed tourist industry, with many hotels geared primarily to package tours. During the tourist season (November to May), accommodation is often booked up and confirmation of advance booking is advised. Most of the hotels are self-contained complexes offering a wealth of tourist facilities including swimming pools, bars, restaurants, shops, sporting facilities and spacious gardens. Bedrooms will not always be air conditioned. The number of hotels has increased greatly in recent years and this is expected to continue; today there are over 24 hotels with 6000 beds, both in Banjul and along the coast. Around 75 per cent of establishments belong to The Gambia Hotel Association, which can be contacted c/o PO Box 2637, The Bungalow Beach Hotel, Serrekunda, Kotu (tel: 465 288; fax: 466 180; e-mail: bbhotel@qanet.gm). For further information on different types of accommodation, contact The Gambia National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).

Sport & Activities

Watersports: Atlantic resorts cater for waterskiing, windsurfing and surfing. Sailing is possible at The Gambia Sailing Club at Banjul, which welcomes visitors. A notable event is the race to Dog Island. Additional regattas are organised on special occasions. Both sea and river fishing is good all year, particularly line-fishing from the beaches. Several sport-fishing boats are available for sea-angling trips. The estuary of the River Gambia on the Atlantic coast provides miles of magnificent beaches with warm seas throughout the year for swimming. Caution is necessary, owing to strong currents, but the beach at Cape St Mary is safe for both children and adults.

Spectator sports: The Banjul Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course at Fajara near the Atlantic coast. International meetings are organised every year. Wrestling is the traditional national sport; contests can be watched in most towns and villages. Bouts (a traditional sport) can be seen on most weekends in Banjul and its suburbs, Serekunda and Bakau. Inter-club cricket is played in league matches organised by The Gambia Cricket Association, which also organises international matches. A league football championship is organised by the Gambia Football Association.

Birdwatching: This is very popular and the country has one of the largest concentrations of bird species per square mile in the world.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Western food is available at most tourist hotels and restaurants, and some also serve Gambian food. Recommended dishes include benachin (also called ‘Jollof Rice’, a mixture of spiced meat and rice with tomato puree and vegetables), base nyebe (rich stew of chicken or beef with green beans and other vegetables), chere (steamed millet flour balls), domodah (meat stewed in groundnut puree and served with rice), plasas (meat and smoked fish cooked in palm oil with green vegetables) served with fu-fu or mashed cassava chura-gertek (a sweet porridge consisting of pounded groundnuts, rice and milk). Local fruits like mangoes, bananas, grapefruit, papayas and oranges are delicious and are available in the markets.

A good selection of spirits, beers and wines is available. Jul Brew is the local speciality beer. Local fresh fruit juice is delicious.

Nightlife: In general the nightlife is subdued, although there are nightclubs in Bakau, Banjul, Farjara and Serrekunda. There are organised performances of Gambian ballet, drumming and dancing, and also fire-eating displays.

Shopping: Souvenirs can be bought in Banjul at the craft market across from MacCarthy Square and at bengdulalu (see Resorts & Excursions section). One of the most popular purchases is the Gambishirt, made of printed and embroidered cotton cloth, mostly in bright colours. Some of the souvenirs are gaudy, others exceedingly attractive. Woodcarvings, beaded belts, silver and gold jewellery and ladies’ handbags are also popular items. Other West African handicrafts made of straw, beads, leather, cloth or metal can be purchased here. Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1200 and 1430-1800, Fri-Sat 0900-1300. Some shops may stay open until 2200.

Special Events: Dance or acrobatic street shows can be seen at any time of the year; for further details, enquire at The Gambia National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in The Gambia:
Feb Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice); Ras-as-Sana (Islamic New Year). Apr Grand Magal. Jun-Jul International Roots Festival (a celebration aimed at getting Americans and Europeans of African descent back in touch with Africa). Oct-Nov Ramadan. Nov Koriteh (end of Ramadam). Dec Christmas.

Social Conventions: Handshaking is a common form of greeting; Nanga def (‘How are you?’) is the traditional greeting. Gambians are extremely friendly and welcoming and visitors should not be afraid to accept their hospitality. Many Gambians are Muslim and their religious customs and beliefs should be respected by guests; however, most understand the English customs and language. Visitors should remember that the right hand only should be used for the giving or receiving of food or objects. Casual wear is suitable although beachwear should only be worn on the beach or at the poolside. Only the most exclusive dining rooms encourage guests to dress for dinner. Despite the effects of tourism, traditional culture in music, dancing and craftsmanship still flourishes in the many villages on both banks of the River Gambia. Tipping: 10 per cent service charge is sometimes included in hotel and restaurant bills.

Business Profile

Economy: The economy of The Gambia is basically agricultural, with groundnuts (in the form of nuts, oil and cattle cake) accounting for 50 per cent of total exports. Cotton and citrus fruits are also cultivated for export. Forestry and fishing are also important. Rice, millet and maize are the main staples, but The Gambia must import large quantities of rice along with various other foodstuffs and petroleum products. There are no viable mineral deposits although surveys have located some oil deposits. The small industrial sector is dominated by agro-industrial activities; drinks and construction materials are produced for the domestic market. After a disastrous spell following the 1994 coup, tourism is once again a viable generator of foreign exchange, and has performed relatively well since then. Principal markets for exports are Belgium, Luxembourg, Japan and Guinea. Government economic strategy aims to position The Gambia as a regional hub for trade, based on an important re-export trade (mostly of Senegalese goods) as well as finance and telecommunications: the strategy has had mixed success in the last few years. Overall, the economy has performed well, since 2000, averaging annual growth of 6 per cent. Substantial infrastructural progress has been made (such as the construction of schools and hospitals, a new airport terminal and modernised port facilities). In 1998, the government, unusually, renationalised the groundnut industry, which had been privatised four years earlier but performed poorly under private ownership. International aid remains essential to the health of The Gambia’s economy.

Business: Businessmen wear jackets and ties for business meetings. A personal approach is important in Gambian business circles. Punctuality is appreciated and it is advisable to take business cards, although their use is not widespread. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1600, Fri 0800-1230.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1-3 Ecowas Avenue, Banjul (tel: 227 765 or 227 042; fax: 229 671; e-mail: gcci@qanet.gm; website: www.gambiachamber.gm or www.gcci.gm).

Climate

Climate: The Gambia is generally recognised to have the most agreeable climate in West Africa. The weather is subtropical with distinct dry and rainy seasons. From mid-November to mid-May, coastal areas are dry, while the rainy season lasts from June to October. Inland the cool season is shorter and daytime temperatures are very high between March and June. Sunny periods occur on most days even during the rainy season.

Required clothing: Lightweight or tropical for most of the year with rainwear for the rainy season.