This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent.

Crime

We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in The Gambia because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Pickpockets are active in crowded market areas and ferries in The Gambia, as well as along the beaches in tourist resort areas. Tourists have been mugged while walking alone along beaches at night.

Foreigners frequently have their passports stolen on arrival at Banjul International Airport by people posing as officials or security officers. All authorised security personnel who have the right to ask to see a passport have photographic identification badges, but not all are in uniform.

Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in west African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.

Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from west African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner have been kidnapped and held to ransom.

Casamance region in southern Senegal: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel overland to and from The Gambia through the Casamance region in southern Senegal because of the unpredictable security situation and the risk of attack by armed bandits. Travellers have been attacked on roads leading north from Ziguinchor to Banjul and from Bignona to Sedoba, near the Gambian border. See also our travel advice for Senegal.

Local Travel

Roads in poor condition, poor driving practices, poorly maintained vehicles, insufficient street lighting and pedestrians pose safety risks, especially when driving at night and outside urban areas. Some local taxis are not roadworthy.

Police road blocks are common on all major routes in The Gambia and you may be asked to show identity documentation and vehicle registration and ownership papers.

Travel on river craft, including ferries and wooden pirogues, is dangerous as they can be overloaded and lack necessary life-saving equipment.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy season is June to October when flooding may occur. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Credit cards are not widely accepted in The Gambia. Credit card fraud is prevalent. It can be difficult to change foreign currency other than British Pounds (Sterling) outside of Banjul and the Atlantic Coast Resorts.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in the Gambia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences in The Gambia are severe and include lengthy imprisonment.

Penalties for treason and murder include the death penalty.

Offences such as assault, sexual assault, theft and serious driving offences attract corporal punishment.

Homosexual acts are illegal and may be punishable by imprisonment.

It is illegal to photograph military and official installations in and around airports.

Skin-bleaching creams and some medications are subject to strict import/export laws. If in doubt, you should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of The Gambia well in advance of travel.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in The Gambia. Women are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing which covers the arms and legs, and a headscarf. During Ramadan, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset. You should take care not to offend.

Information for Dual Nationals

While the government of The Gambia recognises dual nationality, government officials may place restrictions on the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/Gambian dual nationals if they are detained or arrested.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of The Gambia for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into The Gambia.

The Gambia is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

If you have visited The Gambia in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities in The Gambia are very limited. Most doctors and hospitals will expect immediate cash payment for medical care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could exceed $A100,000.

Malaria is endemic throughout the year in The Gambia. Dengue fever also occurs in the region. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis, leptospirosis, meningitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in The Gambia. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Ghana:

Australian High Commission
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Telephone: (+233) 21 701 2961-3 or (+233) 21 777 080
Facsimile: (+233) 21 776 803
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au

By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the nearest Canadian Embassy, in Senegal, provides consular assistance to Australians in The Gambia. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:

Canadian Embassy
Corner Rue Galleni and Rue Briere de l'Isle
Dakar, Senegal
Telephone: (221) 889 4700
Facsimilie: (221) 889 4720
Email: dakar@international.gc.ca

Australian citizens in need of consular assistance may also contact the British High Commission in Banjul which is able to provide assistance to citizens of Commonwealth countries that do not have diplomatic or consular missions in The Gambia. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports.

British High Commission
48 Atlantic Road
Fajara, Banjul
The Gambia
Telephone: 220 4495 133
Facsimilie: 220 4496 134
Email: bhcbanjul@fco.gov.uk

If you are travelling to Gambia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above missions you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.