Gambia Holidays 2025/2026
We’ll say it up front – Gambia isn’t your average holiday destination. With gold sand beaches, an incredible wealth of wildlife, energetic craft markets and some of the friendliest locals you’re bound to meet on your travels, this little African country is in a holiday genre of its own.
Gambia Holiday Deals 2025/2026
The smiling coast of Africa
Gambia is a slim country along the western coast of mainland Africa, hugged almost completely by Senegal, minus its narrow coastline. It’s the smallest country in all of Africa, named after the river snaking through the land.
Gambia first entered the sights of tourists after a group of Scandinavian holidaymakers catapulted it onto the scene in the sixties, but the country itself did the rest. Holidays to Gambia combine swathes of beaches with exotic wildlife, and locals so welcoming that the country has earned itself the nickname ‘the smiling coast of Africa’.
Key Facts for Gambia:
- Currency: Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
- Language: English
- Timezone: GMT +0
- Avg. Flight Time: 5 hours 30 minutes (from London)
- Visas: You do not need a visa if you’re travelling to Gambia for up to 28 days.
Where's best to stay in Gambia?
From lively beach resorts to peaceful coastal escapes, Gambia’s top regions each offer something unique, whether you’re after wildlife, nightlife or sun-soaked relaxation.
Our guide to holidays in Gambia
Frequently asked questions about holidays to Gambia
Make the most of the country’s amazing, stunning beaches during the dry season and enjoy average temperatures of around 24 degrees celsius across the coastal areas. Whatever time of the year you choose for your holiday to Gambia, you can rest easy knowing that you will experience tropical temperatures with sunshine all around you.
Look to book an all inclusive holiday Gambia and everything will be included in your price from drinks and food to flights, hotels and transfers. Local supermarkets offer you the chance to pick up little bits such as snacks and any essentials you may have forgotten, all at relatively cheap prices too.
It certainly does and they’re often quiet, serene places where you can unwind and relax in the sunshine. Along the coastal areas you’ll find beautiful sandy beaches that are just waiting for you to explore them. With an amazing climate, friendly locals and so much wildlife on offer throughout the country, you can either choose to relax by the sea or explore inland some more.
As there is so much to do in The Gambia, there is never a dull moment. There’s so many activities to dive into as well as the beautiful surroundings you will find yourself in. Many tourists love the diverse wildlife on offer and with the opportunity to see this first hand you can rest assured your holiday is going to be memorable.
Around May time are the hottest parts of the year when it comes to a holiday to The Gambia. As you head out of the dry season and into the wet season you can experience higher temperatures such as in August but you run the risk of rain, although it can be quite refreshing during soaring temperatures!
The currency in Gambia is the Gambian Dalasi (GMD).
This is a closed currency which means you can only buy and sell your travel money once you’re in the country, and before you leave again.
The most common spoken language in Gambia is English, although you are likely to hear many tribal languages, like Mandinka and Wolof.
Gambia shares the same timezone as the UK, GMT +0, so there is no time difference.
The average flight time from the UK (London) to Gambia is 5 hours 30 minutes. This can vary depending on where you’re flying from.
For holidays up to 28 days in Gambia you do not need a visa.
For holidays longer than 28 days,you can get an extension – find out more information.