Experience Gambia: My Full Solo Travel Guide

How I Chose To Experience Gambia Solo

I've always desired to visit Africa, and when a friend of mine who lives in Gambia made a solo trip feel possible, I finally booked it. What followed was two weeks that reshaped how I think about community, hospitality, and traveling as a woman on my own. If you're trying to decide whether to experience Gambia for yourself, this guide covers everything I learned along the way.

 The smallest country in mainland Africa, tucked right along the West African coast

Getting To Gambia

My flight took about 26 hours: Cincinnati to Washington DC, to Brussels, to Dakar (where I stayed on the plane), and finally into Gambia. Round trip cost around $2,300, which included trip insurance and paid seat selection — I booked later than I should have, so I paid a premium for it. I traveled in July, which is rainy season, so expect hot, muggy weather. It only rained once during my full two weeks there.

Whether you're landing in Banjul The Gambia or heading straight to the coast, keep in mind the Dalasi is the local currency, and it's not something you'll find at most exchange counters back home — you'll need to convert cash once you land.

The Gambia River — the lifeline running straight through the heart of this country.

What To Know Before You Land

Arriving in Gambia comes with a few costs to plan for:

• A $20 USD security fee on arrival

• A $20 USD security fee when departing

• $100 USD cash for a visa if it's your first visit (valid for about 5 years)

• A yellow fever vaccine is required for entry

Bring clean USD or Euro cash — cards are not accepted almost anywhere in the country, so you'll want cash on hand for nearly everything.

Where I Stayed

I booked an Airbnb directly on the beach in Bijilo, a popular tourist area with a genuinely gorgeous stretch of coastline. Two weeks there cost me about $800.

The Best Ways To Experience Gambia

1. Visit The Local Markets

This was, hands down, the best thing I did in Gambia. The local markets are packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and clothing, with the main streets buzzing with cars and the side streets packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people. It's overwhelming in the best way, and I'd recommend skipping the tourist markets in favor of the local ones for the real experience.

2. Go Horseback Riding

I went horseback riding for the first time in my life with a horse caretaker, who eventually had me experience a full gallop. I fell off mid-ride and was caught mid-air by the caretaker before hitting the ground. Nerve-wracking, but I got back on and finished the ride at a walking pace.

3. Visit Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool

Before reaching the crocodiles, there's a small museum covering the history and cultural significance of the area. I'm not an animal person at all, but I stepped out of my comfort zone and petted a crocodile — the back is hard, the legs are softer.

4. Explore Banjul, Serekunda, and Brikama

I explored Banjul (the capital), Serekunda (the largest urban area), and Brikama, where my personal guide is from, all while based in Bijilo.

5. Spend A Sunday At The Beach

Sundays are family day in Gambia. Kids run up and down the beach, families relax together, vendors sell juices, and early mornings you'll even see locals bathing their goats and animals in the ocean. Any beach in Gambia on a Sunday is chaotic, beautiful, and full of life.

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  Face to face with a crocodile — definitely not something I saw myself doing.

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  Right before I fell off mid-gallop — but hey, I got back on.

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  Home base for two weeks — beachfront, pool included, and exactly what I needed.

What To Pack To Experience Gambia Comfortably

• Plug adapter

• Battery pack for your phone

• Multiple battery-operated fans

• Mosquito spray

• A manual hand fan

• Cash (USD or Euro)

• Proof of yellow fever vaccination

• Malaria pills — start these before your trip per your doctor's guidance, since Gambia is a malaria risk area

• Ginger candy — a simple fix for motion sickness or an upset stomach, especially useful on those long travel days and bumpy taxi rides

Food In The Gambia

Rice is the foundation of most meals. A few dishes to try:

• Jollof (Benachin) — the classic rice dish

• Ebbeh — my personal favorite, a thicker soup-style street food loaded with fish and seafood

• Domoda — a peanut-based beef stew

There are no fast food chains in the country, and I found two Jamaican restaurants and a Chinese restaurant when I wanted a change from West African cuisine.

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  My favorite plate in The Gambia — jollof, Ebbeh, and more seafood than I could finish.

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  Fufu and goat stew — hearty, filling, and pure West African comfort food.

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  Benachin — Gambia's take on jollof, and just as good as it looks.

Getting Around

Taxis are everywhere and inexpensive, though gas prices are surprisingly high. I had a personal guide most of the trip, which made getting around simple, but taxis are a reliable option if you're going it alone. Traffic is chaotic — roundabouts instead of organized intersections, pedestrians crossing highways, and people getting in and out of moving vehicles — so I wouldn't recommend renting a car and driving yourself.

The beaches Gambia is known for, like the ones in Bijilo and Kotu, are calm and easy to relax on, but the roads getting there can be a different story entirely.

The People Are The Real Highlight

More than any single activity, the people made this the best way to experience Gambia. I was welcomed into homes and compounds, served generous platters of food, and treated like family everywhere I went. Tea culture is central to daily life — mostly brewed by men, shared freely even with strangers, and treated almost like a version of happy hour, minus the alcohol.

Their version of happy hour — strong tea, good company, no rush.

Gambia is roughly 90% Muslim, prayer happens five times daily, and the culture leans traditional — women largely manage the home while men are seen as providers. As a solo woman traveling alone, I felt completely safe the entire trip, and I'd tell anyone wondering if Gambia is safe for tourists that my experience was overwhelmingly positive.

At its core, The Gambia experience is really about the people — their warmth, their generosity, and how quickly they make you feel like part of the community.

A mosque along the coast — a reminder of how central faith is to daily life here.

While there, I donated two 50kg bags of rice to a local orphanage school, along with soccer balls and clothing — small ways of giving back to a community that gave me so much during my stay.

One of the local markets — chaotic, loud, and completely unforgettable.

Watch The Full Experience On YouTube

Watch the full experience unfold on YouTube and travel with me through every moment, hidden gem, food spot, and unexpected twist from this Gambia adventure.

https://youtu.be/wOuYwffzg4E

Watch the full story — every moment, every meal, and the horse fall that almost took me out. 🐎

Final Thoughts

Gambia is one of the most affordable countries I've traveled to — your biggest expenses will be the flight and gas. But the real value of choosing to experience Gambia has nothing to do with money. It's the community, the hospitality, and the culture that will stay with me long after the trip ended. I'm already planning my return.

Been somewhere like this? Or is it on your list? Drop a comment and let me know.

Until the next adventure,

Want To Travel For Less?

Flights were one of the biggest costs of this whole trip — so if you're planning your own adventure, don't skip this part. I put together a free guide with the exact strategies I use to find cheap flights, and if you want the full system, my Travel Bestie Flight Playbook walks you through it step by step.

✈️ Grab the free guide — How to Find Cheap Flights

🧳 Get the full system — The Travel Bestie Flight Playbook

Your Travel Bestie,

-Nequa 🌍