Gambia visa requirements for Botswanas

Travel and visa requirements

Gambian Visa is not required for Botswanas

Stay Duration: 90 days

Entry Requirements

  • Travellers from Botswana can visit the Gambia for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa.
  • Prospective visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry into the Gambia. The passport should have at least one blank page for visa stamping.
  • Confirmation of accommodation during the stay is needed. It could be in the form of a hotel reservation.
  • Visitors are required to have a return back to Botswana or onward ticket and evidence of sufficient funds to spend during their stay in the Gambia.
  • There is no currency restriction on entry and exit from the Gambia.
  • Tourists with cats and dogs must be accompanied by a veterinarian's health certificate issued in Botswana. The day after the arrival of the pets, they have to be registered at the Gambian Veterinary Department to obtain an import permit.
  • Intending visitors can get to the Gambia from any international airport in Botswana. There are international airports in Gaborone and Francistown.
  • Air Botswana, South African Airways, Air France and ASKY are some of the airlines that fly from Botswana to the Gambia.
  • The estimated flight time from Gaborone to Banjul, Gambia is 1 day, 5 hours, and from Francistown, it is 1 day, 8 hours.
  • The Gambian Dalasi is the official currency of the Gambia. Visitors can exchange their foreign currencies at various bank and exchange outlets in the country.
  • The religion in the Gambia based on statistics show that 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, 9% are Christians, while the remaining 1% still practise traditional beliefs.
  • There are at least 10 languages spoken by different ethnic groups in the Gambia. However, the official language is English.
  • The best time to visit the Gambia is in October to December, when birding is at its best and the beaches are crowned with cloudless blue skies.
  • The climate in the Gambia is subtropical, with distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season runs from mid-November to early June, while the rainy season lasts from late June to October.
  • In the Gambia, the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
  • The Gambia uses Greenwich Mean Time. Botswana is two hours ahead of the Gambia.
  • Getting around in the Gambia is possible with the various public means of transportation available, this includes buses, taxis, passenger boats and car rentals. 
  • Some of the tourist attractions in the Gambia include Kunta Kinteh Island, Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool, Abuko Nature Reserve and Bijilo Forest Park.
  • Popular delicacies in the Gambia are benachin, domoda, superkanja, etc.
  • Tourists travelling to the Gambia are advised to budget about $45 to spend on expenses per day.
  • Tourists are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and also monitor local news broadcasts while in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Wi-Fi in the hotels in Gambia?

A growing number of hotels in the Gambia now have Wi-Fi access either in public areas or rooms, and some have internet cafes. There may be a charge locally for this service.

Are there mosquitoes in the Gambia?

Yes, and the mosquitoes are most active around late afternoon and through the evening. Tourists are advised to make use of a good insect repellent to prevent being bitten.

What is the official language in Gambia?

English is the official language in the Gambia (The Gambia is a former British Colony). However, various tribal languages are used by the Gambians to converse between themselves.

Is the Gambia safe for tourist visit?

The Gambia is renowned for its friendly, welcoming people. It is known as the Smiling Coast. Crime against tourists is very rare. In general, the country is regarded as a safe destination to explore and mingle with the locals.