Is It Safe to Travel to Gambia in 2026?
The Gambia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. Geographically, the Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa; it is surrounded by Senegal on all sides except for the western part, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
Is It Safe to Travel to Gambia in 2026?
Gambia is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in The Gambia due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Petty street crime and home burglaries happen often, especially in the Banjul area and tourist spots. Avoid displaying cash and valuable personal property, and do not walk alone after dark. There has been sporadic fighting along The Gambia's southern border with Senegal, so stay on main roads and avoid traveling at night. The health infrastructure is inadequate, with services not meeting U.S. standards.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
- health
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Sporadic fighting along the southern border with Senegal, Increased caution advised due to civil unrest and crime risks.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from petty street crime and burglaries, particularly in tourist areas like Banjul, making it crucial to avoid walking alone after dark.
Business travelers can expect reliable accommodations and services in urban areas, but should remain cautious of petty crime and potential disruptions due to civil unrest.
Families with children may struggle with inadequate healthcare facilities and should be cautious of health risks, including malaria and waterborne diseases, which are prevalent in the region.
Remote workers may find decent internet connectivity in urban areas, but should be wary of health risks and the potential for civil unrest affecting their stay.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Gambia.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Gambia has an overall threat severity of 3.9 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 50/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Dalasi (GMD)
Language
English
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
Vaccinations
Required:
- Yellow Fever: Vaccine is not required for direct travel from the United States. Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old coming from countries with risk for YF virus transmission, including >12-hour airport transits or layovers in those countries.
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: high
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Gambia
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Gambia?
▶Is it safe to travel to Gambia right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Gambia?
▶What vaccines do I need for Gambia?
▶Is Gambia safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Gambia?
More Gambia Data
Partly Free — 50/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.