Flight to Banjul (BJL)

Flying to Banjul: tips and information for your trip

If you’ve never been to Africa before, The Republic of The Gambia is a great first option. It has a beautiful coastline, friendly locals, and some great wildlife to explore. The country is quite simply heaven on Earth!

Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, is separated from the mainland by a small river, and is therefore located on an island. It’s Africa’s smallest capital, which also makes it one of the friendliest, with a peaceful atmosphere closer to what you’d find in a village.

So what are you waiting for? Book your flight ticket to Banjul today and discover The Gambia.

Discover what Banjul and The Gambia have to offer

Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa Only 6 hours from Europe and bathed in year round sun, the Gambia is THE destination for a fabulous holiday. A Love of Nature is in the soul of the country. The many forests and parks teem with wildlife. Over 560 species of birds live in and migrate to our land. It’s one of the best places in the world to see them. On the golden sands by the mighty ocean, our fabulous hotels offer everything modern travellers would expect: high quality, personal service, attention to detail and more. 

Imagine a private retreat buried deep in the forest, a special place to relax, recharge and get in touch with our culture and nature. We have some of the finest international, award winning, eco resorts in Africa, where high class standards are complimented with simple pleasures in a natural paradise.  The drums tell of great adventures waiting for you, and if its excitement you’re looking for, we have something for everyone. Skydiving from 10,000 feet up, may not suit everybody but for the thrill seeker there’s no better way to see the smiling coast. At night its time to hit Gambia’s famous strip, there’s a wide range of bars and restaurants. Then it’s on to one of the many clubs to dance the night away.

Our coast is home to many fishing villages and when the boats come in the whole beach explodes into life. But if relaxation is more your style, we have that too. There’s miles and miles of soft, golden coastline just waiting to be discovered. How about a round of golf? There are number of quality courses around the coast. If you like to fish, both the river and the sea offer great sport fishing for experts and beginners alike. After a busy day, relax in one of our peaceful spas. Let your body and soul unwind.  

There is a secret Island far downstream the river Gambia. If you’re very lucky you can catch a glimpse of mans’ closest relative the chimpanzee in the wild. At the heart of the Gambian way of life, is the village and family, we have a vibrant and diverse culture full of music, dance, art and a love of life. Its all around you and you can feel it too.  From the river comes fire, it brings light to the forest, wealth to its people and new life to this fertile land. The love of nature and culture. The beautiful sun and sea. A land of friendship and peace. Gambia has it all, and more.

So go discover the smiling coast of Africa.

Practical information and travel advice for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights arrive and depart from Banjul international airport, which is located 25 km from the city centre.
• Currency: The currency in The Gambia is the Gambian dalasi. Exchange bureaus are available in large cities. Most ATMs accept Visa credit cards, although no credit cards are accepted outside of tourist areas.
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: The dialling code for The Gambia is +220 and some hotels have Wi-Fi available.
• Electric sockets: These have a standard voltage of 230 V and are type C or F (European standard). If you use American or British plugs, you’ll need an adaptor.
• Travel information: A visa isn’t required for most countries.
• Vaccination: You should be vaccinated against yellow fever; no other vaccinations are mandatory. Malaria is present in The Gambia, so you should protect yourself against mosquitoes.

What to do and not to do in Banjul

• Gambians don’t like to have their picture taken. Always ask if you can photograph them and don’t insist if they decline.
• Don’t make too much eye contact. Gambians consider prolonged eye contact a sign of aggression.
• The Gambia is predominantly a Muslim country. Bikinis are acceptable on the beach but you should otherwise dress modestly. Showing affection in public should also be avoided.
• Tourist taxis are available in The Gambia. They are regulated by the Tourist Authority and can be recognised by their green colour. Motorised rickshaws can be found around hotels and tourist areas; they’re a great way to get to your destination fast. Bikes are another popular way to get around, especially for sightseeing. Hotels will have bikes for hire or you can join an organised bike tour for travel off the beaten path.
• English is the official language of The Gambia. However, there are many other local languages, such as Wolof.

Basic Wolof vocabulary

• How are you? Na nga deef
• I’m good (reply): Diam rek
• Thank you: Dieureudieuf
• We are together (popular language): Nio far
• Please: Su la nexee
• Thank you: Jai-rruh-jef
• You’re welcome: Nioko bokk
• Sorry/Excuse me: Baal ma
• Yes: Waw
• No: Deh-det

When to travel to Banjul

There are two main seasons in The Gambia: the dry season, which runs from November to May, and the rainy season, which runs from June to October. The average peak temperature in the dry season is around 25 °C. In the rainy season, the weather becomes more humid and the average peak temperature rises to 30 °C – 35 °C.

The best time to travel to The Gambia is during the dry season, between October and June.

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Gambian cuisine is full of flavour! There’s plenty of fresh fish and seafood available from the river Gambia and the nearby ocean. Try benachin (rice cooked with meat/fish and vegetables), domoda (meat stewed in peanut puree and rice) and superkanja (okra, fish/meat, palm oil, onions and pepper boiled together).