What is the best time to visit The Gambia?

Best Time to Visit The Gambia

The best time to travel to The Gambia is during the dry season (November to May) and the short rainy season (June to October).

Dry Season in The Gambia

The dry season in The Gambia is from November to May and is the best time to visit. Temperatures are pleasant and the humidity is low, making it comfortable to explore the country. During this season, travelers can expect clear skies and plenty of sunshine. The Gambia is known for its beautiful beaches, so this is the perfect time to sunbathe and swim in the warm waters. Tourists can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as bird watching, fishing, and safari tours. Popular festivals such as the International Roots Festival and the Kunta Kinteh Island Festival take place during the dry season.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in The Gambia

The Gambia in January

Weather

January is a hot and dry month in The Gambia, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 33°C. The humidity is generally high, and the chance of rain is low.

Events

• The Gambia celebrates Independence Day on February 18th, commemorating the day in 1965 when the country gained independence from Britain.
• The annual Roots Homecoming Festival takes place in January, celebrating traditional Gambian music, food, and culture.
• The Gambia celebrates the Islamic holiday of Mawlid, which marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
• The Gambia’s National Day of Service is held in January, encouraging citizens to volunteer in their communities.
• The Gambia celebrates African Liberation Day on May 25th, commemorating the day in 1963 when African countries declared their independence from colonial powers.

The Gambia in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in The Gambia, with temperatures ranging from 21-29°C. The days are usually sunny and dry, and the nights are cool.

Events

• The Gambia celebrates Independence Day on 18 January, marking the day in 1965 when it became an independent nation.
• The annual Roots Homecoming Festival is held in January, usually around the 18th, and celebrates the culture and heritage of The Gambia.
• The Gambia’s National Day of Prayer and Fasting is held in January, usually on the second Sunday of the month.
• The annual African Cup of Nations tournament is held in January, with The Gambia’s national football team competing against other African nations.
• The annual International Jazz Festival is held in January, usually around the last weekend of the month.

The Gambia in March

Weather

March is the start of the dry season in The Gambia. Temperatures are hot and humid, with average daily temperatures of around 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 2-3 days of rain per month.

Events

• The annual International Roots Festival takes place in The Gambia during March. The festival celebrates the history and culture of The Gambia, and features traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Gambia’s Independence Day is celebrated on the 18th of March. This marks the day that The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.
• March is a great time to visit the Abuko Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, and is a great place to observe nature.
• The Gambia’s capital city, Banjul, hosts the annual International Trade Fair in March. This event showcases the best of Gambian culture, art, and products.
• The Gambia also hosts the annual International Film Festival in March. This event showcases the best of Gambian and international films, and is a great opportunity to experience the local culture.

The Gambia in April

Weather

April in The Gambia is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 24-35°C (75-95°F). There is usually a brief but intense rainy season in April, with an average of 12 days of rain.

Events

• The annual International Trade Fair is held in April in The Gambia. This event attracts exhibitors from across the world, showcasing a variety of products and services.
• The annual Kankurang Festival is held in April in The Gambia. This festival is a celebration of the traditional culture of the Mandinka people. It includes music, dance, and other cultural performances.
• The annual Banjul International Music Festival is held in April in The Gambia. This festival features a variety of international music acts, as well as local and regional artists.
• The annual International Arts Festival is held in April in The Gambia. This festival showcases a variety of art forms, including visual arts, music, theatre, and dance.
• The annual International Film Festival is held in April in The Gambia. This festival showcases a variety of films from around the world, as well as local and regional films.

The Gambia in May

Weather

May is the beginning of the dry season in The Gambia, with temperatures ranging from 18-35°C (64-95°F). Rainfall is minimal during this time, with an average of only 5-10mm (0.2-0.4in).

Events

• The International Day of Families is celebrated on May 15th. This day is an opportunity for Gambians to celebrate the importance of family and the traditional values it upholds.
• The African Union Day of the African Child is celebrated on May 16th. This day is a reminder of the importance of children’s rights and the need to protect them from exploitation and abuse.
• The International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated on May 22nd. This day is an opportunity for Gambians to learn more about the importance of preserving the country’s biodiversity.
• The International Day of Peace is celebrated on May 24th. This day is an opportunity for Gambians to come together and celebrate peace, understanding, and unity.
• The International Day of the African Child is celebrated on May 25th. This day is an opportunity for Gambians to recognize the importance of education and the need to ensure that all children have access to quality education.

The Gambia in June

Weather

June is the start of the rainy season in The Gambia, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 33°C. The days are usually sunny with some afternoon showers.

Events

• The International Day of the African Child is celebrated on June 16th. It is a day to recognize the struggles of African children and to promote their rights and well-being.
• The Gambia celebrates its independence on June 18th. The day is marked with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• The Gambia River Marathon is an annual event held in June. It is a 42 km race along the Gambia River that attracts runners from all over the world.
• The Gambia celebrates the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr on June 5th. The day is marked with feasts and celebrations.
• The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21st. People from all over The Gambia come together to practice yoga and meditation.

The Gambia in July

Weather

July is the hottest month of the year in The Gambia, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C (104°F). The humidity is high, making the heat even more oppressive. Rainfall is also common, with an average of around 7 days of rain in July.

Events

• The Independence Day celebrations take place on July 18th, commemorating the day The Gambia gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. Celebrations typically include parades, music, and fireworks.
• The International Roots Festival is held in July each year. This festival celebrates the culture and heritage of The Gambia, with music, dance, and art performances.
• The Gambia Marathon is held in July each year. This is a 42km (26 mile) race that takes place in the capital city, Banjul.
• The Gambia River Festival is held in July each year. This festival celebrates the culture and lifestyle of the people living along the Gambia River, with music, dancing, and traditional boat races.
• The Gambia Bird Festival is held in July each year. This festival celebrates the birdlife of The Gambia, with birdwatching tours and lectures.

The Gambia in August

Weather

August is the hottest month of the year in The Gambia, with temperatures reaching up to 38°C (100°F). The humidity is also high, with an average of 80%. There is very little rainfall during this month, with an average of only 5mm.

Events

• The Independence Day celebrations take place on 18th August, marking The Gambia’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. There are parades, fireworks, and other festivities throughout the country.
• The annual International Roots Festival takes place in August in Banjul, The Gambia’s capital city. This festival celebrates the African diaspora and features music, dance, and art from around the world.
• The annual Festival of the Sacred Music of The Gambia takes place in August in the city of Serekunda. This festival celebrates the traditional music and culture of The Gambia, with performances from local musicians and dancers.
• The annual World Music Festival takes place in August in The Gambia. This festival features performances from international musicians, as well as traditional Gambian music.
• The annual African Cup of Nations football tournament takes place in August in The Gambia. This tournament features teams from all over Africa competing for the title of African champions.

The Gambia in September

Weather

September is the beginning of the dry season in The Gambia, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 33°C and humidity levels at around 70%. The Gambia experiences little to no rainfall during this month.

Events

• The International Trade Fair is held in September, and is the largest trade fair in The Gambia. It is held in the capital city of Banjul and features a variety of products from all over the world.
• The Gambia celebrates its Independence Day on the 18th of September. This day is marked by a variety of festivities, including parades, music, and fireworks.
• The annual African Heritage Festival is held in September in The Gambia. This festival celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage and features traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
• The Gambia hosts the annual West African Music Festival in September. This festival features performances from some of the best musicians in West Africa.
• The Gambia celebrates its National Day of Service in September. This day is dedicated to giving back to the community and promoting volunteerism.

The Gambia in October

Weather

October is the start of the dry season in The Gambia. Temperatures range from an average low of 24°C (75°F) to an average high of 34°C (93°F). Humidity is generally low throughout the month, with average humidity levels of around 70%.

Events

• The Gambia celebrates Independence Day on October 18th. This is a national holiday that marks the day The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.
• October is a great time to visit The Gambia’s many national parks and wildlife reserves. The dry season makes it easier to spot wildlife, and the cooler temperatures make it more comfortable for visitors.
• The annual Kunta Kinteh Island Festival is held in October. This festival celebrates the history and culture of The Gambia, with music, dance, and traditional food.
• The Gambia’s biggest music festival, the Banjul Music Festival, takes place in October. This festival features performances from local and international artists, as well as workshops, talks, and other activities.
• The Gambia’s biggest sporting event, the Gambia National Marathon, is held in October. This event draws runners from all over the world to compete in the 42km race.

The Gambia in November

Weather

November in The Gambia is the start of the dry season, with temperatures ranging from 22-32°C (71-90°F) and little to no rainfall.

Events

• The Gambia celebrates its Independence Day on November 18th, with parades, dancing, and other festivities.
• The Gambia International Trade Fair is held in November, showcasing the best of Gambian products and services.
• The Gambia celebrates World AIDS Day on November 1st, with various events to raise awareness and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
• November is a great time to visit the Kiang West National Park, where visitors can observe the diverse wildlife and enjoy a safari.
• The Gambia celebrates National Tree Planting Day on November 5th, encouraging citizens to plant trees and promote environmental sustainability.

The Gambia in December

Weather

December is the start of the dry season in The Gambia. Temperatures are hot and humid, with an average high of 32°C (90°F) and an average low of 21°C (70°F). The Gambia receives an average of 3 hours of sunshine each day.

Events

• The Gambia celebrates its independence from the United Kingdom on the 18th of December. There are usually parades, concerts, and other festivities to mark the occasion.
• The annual Roots Homecoming Festival takes place in December. This festival celebrates the country’s cultural heritage with traditional music, dance, and storytelling.
• The Gambia celebrates the Islamic holiday of Mawlid on the 12th of December. This holiday marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
• The Gambia celebrates Christmas on the 25th of December. There are usually religious services, caroling, and other festivities to mark the occasion.
• The annual Banjul Marathon takes place in December. This marathon is a popular event for both locals and tourists.