Book cheap flights to Banjul

Banjul has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season spans the months of June to October, while the dry season settles over the city from November to June. Warm weather caresses the city throughout the year. Apart from winter (December to March) when temperatures can dip as low as 7 degrees Celsius, the weather remains consistently warm throughout the year. Early November and early April are a great time to visit Banjul as heat and humidity come down significantly, and the Harmattan winds blowing in from the Sahara bring a pleasant respite from the heat. The beaches are ripe and the city bursts open, ready to be explored and enjoyed. June to October is the best time to visit if you want cheap flights to Banjul. For a foray into the colourful culture of Banjul, the month of January sees the city awash with spirited parades, traditional dance and the hypnotic sounds of kora and sheikeire echo through the city streets. The Banjul Demba Cultural Festival and Banjul Fine Arts Festival offer spectacular displays of Gambian culture through art, dance and music performances.

South African passport holders do require a visa when travelling to Banjul, or anywhere else in Gambia. You should leave considerable time for processing. Before leaving on your trip, ensure your passport has two blank pages for entry stamps and has a validity of at least six months.

The Gambia Embassy is situated in Pretoria.

Address: Brookfield Office Park, 261 Middlel Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181

Phone: ( 27) 012 004 0374

Banjul is a considered a fairly safe city. However, crime does happen, so certain precautions should be followed when travelling to an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance to cover theft and medical expenses is highly recommended.

Avoid talking about how wealthy your country is and flaunting your wealth. Keep an eye on your belongings or avoid carrying around bags and wallets as pick-pocketing and purse snatching is common. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid venturing out alone at night. Do not discuss politically sensitive topics in public, and avoid political demonstrations and gatherings.

Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected area. Banjul is at risk for malaria and other water borne diseases, so precautions should be taken to avoid bites. Other routine vaccinations include hepatitis A & B, typhoid, meningococcus, measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus-diphtheria. Stick to bottled water and ensure food is properly cooked.

Banjul is a tiny city, so accommodation is limited. Accommodation options are typically guest houses and intimate hotels scattered along the coast, or tucked away in the local neighbourhoods. Warm local hospitality, personalised service and simple, but comfortable facilities are standard.

Accommodation in Banjul is conveniently located, within walking distance to shops, attractions and the beach. You will get a chance to indulge in authentic home-style Gambian cuisine and may also be spoiled with live entertainment at certain establishments.

There is no public transport system in The Gambia, but taxi cabs are abundant and a reliable way of getting around Banjul.

Two types of taxis operate within Banjul: regular (yellow) and tourist (green). Tourist taxis are expensive, but safe in terms of having seat belts and functioning indicators. Regular taxis on the other hand are much cheaper and are mainly used by locals, but have lower safety standards. Regular taxis are prohibited from picking up tourists in tourist areas.

Ferries are used to cross the river at various junctures, and you may find yourself a passenger on one of these at some point during your trip. It is important to note the risks associated with these. They rarely keep to their schedules and often lack life jackets and are overcrowded.