Gambia with kids
Everything you need to know (our experience)
A trip to Gambia with children may not sound like the most obvious choice, but this country truly surprised us in the best way. It’s Africa in an accessible, compact, safe and sunny version. No long flight, no time difference, friendly people, beautiful nature, colourful markets and affordable hotels — Gambia is such a wonderful destination for families.
In this guide I share all our experiences, tips and practical info for a carefree family trip. Below you’ll find our route, the best places to visit, the costs, the best time to travel and how safe Gambia is with children. In the coming period, several more in-depth Gambia blogs will go online, but this will already give you the perfect start for planning your trip.
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Is Gambia suitable for kids?
Yes, absolutely — and surprisingly suitable. Here are the reasons why Gambia is truly a top destination for families:
Major advantages
- Short flight time from Europe: it takes just 6–6.5 hours to reach the sun.
- No time difference with Europe: no jet lag, making it super relaxed with kids.
- Affordable: hotels, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced.
- Extremely friendly locals: kids are warmly welcomed everywhere.
- Compact, but not too small: many highlights are close to each other; only for the deeper interior do you need longer drives.
- Warm and sunny, but not unbearably hot: around 28–32°C with a pleasant ocean breeze, making it generally comfortable.
A few things to keep in mind
- The sea can have strong currents: not everywhere is safe for swimming.
- There is a lot of poverty, sometimes more visible than in other holiday destinations. A trip here is really different from, for example, Europe or America — it’s still Africa, so keep that in mind.
- Mosquitoes can be present during the rainy season.
- Vaccinations and malaria tablets: You need vaccinations, and the biggest hurdle for many families is the malaria tablets.
But honestly? Despite these points, it’s perfectly doable with kids — and even very educational. Later in the blog, we share our experiences with vaccinations and malaria tablets, so you know what to expect.
Our week in Gambia with kids
We stayed the entire week at Kombo Beach Resort, a lovely hotel right on the beach. Perfect as a base to relax and explore the surroundings.
During our stay, we went on a 2-day trip inland with Aladin from River Gambia Tours, spending one night in a local lodge. It was a long, intense, but unforgettable experience! Along the way, we stopped at local eateries for meals — a true Gambian experience, not tourist restaurants.
Highlights of our trip
- Wassu: Senegambia Stone Circles, one of the largest concentrations of megalithic stone circles in the world. These mysterious stones date from 600–2000 AD and have served for centuries as burial and ritual sites. Impressive to see, and the kids were especially fascinated by the man selling bracelets.
- Boat trip on the Gambia River: magical! We saw a hippopotamus and chimpanzees, and there are also crocodiles swimming in the river.
- Local lodge: simple, but nice. The kids played with the lodge’s children, and we enjoyed a delicious dinner with views of the Gambia River.
- Janjanbureh & slave houses: impressive story, educational for the kids as well.
- School visit: not a tourist school, but a real classroom in the middle of the countryside. The kids sang for us and all wanted to be in photos — an absolute highlight for our family.
After two long days, it was wonderful to return to our hotel on the beach.
We also took a day trip to Senegal with a safari in Fathala Wildlife Reserve. The park is small and the nature not spectacular, but for the kids it was their very first safari, and they loved it. For us, the journey there, including the ferry crossing, was one of the most memorable experiences.
Other places in Gambia with kids
Senegambia Craft Market (Serekunda)
Great for checking out local crafts and souvenirs.
Bijilo Forest Park
A short walk through the forest with various species of monkeys.
Tanji Fishing Village
For a glimpse of real Gambian fishing life. Colorful, busy, and very photogenic.
Makasutu Forest & Gambia River
For nature lovers and birdwatchers. A boat trip or walk here lets kids see the wild side of Gambia, including hippos and monkeys.
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
A small pool full of crocodiles where visitors can also take photos. We didn’t go ourselves, and personally, we would prefer to avoid this due to animal welfare concerns.
Also, check out River Gambia Tours — highly recommended! They also offer the option to create a customized tour.
How much does a trip to Gambia with kids cost?
Gambia is one of the few holiday destinations where you can truly travel affordably with the whole family. For our trip (2 adults + 2 kids, 7 nights), the costs came out approximately as follows:
- All-inclusive hotel + flight + transfer to the hotel: €3,984.50. We stayed in a luxury hotel, but you can definitely save here. We booked our trip via corendon.nl
- Tours & excursions: €640 (including all entrance fees, meals, and overnight stays; the kids went for free)
- Other expenses: almost nothing extra needed. Do account for vaccinations and possibly malaria tablets, souvenirs, or small snacks along the way.
Total: €4,624.50 for 2 adults + 2 kids for 8 days.
Per person: approximately €1,156
Our experience: everything was well organized, transparent, and clearly priced. The tours are all-inclusive, so you don’t have to pay extra along the way. Small extras, like a little souvenir or a drink, are fun to take along, but it all remains very affordable.
Practical tips for Gambia with kids
Best travel time
The best time to visit Gambia is from November to April. During this period, it’s dry and sunny—perfect for the beach and outdoor activities—with minimal chance of rain. July to September is less suitable for a family holiday: it rains more often and there are more mosquitoes.
Vaccinations
Always check with your local health service which vaccines you and your kids need. DTP and hepatitis A are usually recommended. Malaria tablets are almost always advised for Gambia; we took them and experienced no side effects. If you also plan to visit Senegal, a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory.
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Money
Cash works best in Gambia. ATMs are scarce and often unreliable, so bring enough cash. Euros are accepted in many places, especially hotels and resorts, but for local markets, taxis, or small restaurants, the Dalasi is more convenient and usually gives a better price. Tip: exchange some euros at the airport upon arrival so you have local cash for taxis and small expenses.
Transportation
Taxis are the most practical and affordable way to get around. Always agree on the price beforehand to avoid misunderstandings. Roads in Gambia are surprisingly good.
Safety
We can be brief about safety: we felt safe everywhere, even with kids. However, we recommend avoiding walking on the beach or in isolated areas at night. During the day, you can move around freely and enjoy everything Gambia has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gambia with Kids
Yes, especially in the tourist areas, you generally feel safe. Still, use common sense as you would in any foreign country: watch your belongings and avoid isolated places at night, such as empty beaches. For families, it’s manageable, and kids can roam around freely.
The sea can sometimes have strong currents, so be cautious, especially with children. Fortunately, most hotels and resorts have excellent swimming pools where kids can play and swim safely.
The flight from the Netherlands takes about 6 hours, and there is no time difference. This makes it ideal for families, as there is no jet lag and kids can easily adjust to the local schedule.
Malaria tablets are always recommended, regardless of the region you’re visiting. We personally used tablets and had no issues—no one experienced side effects. It’s wise to arrange this in advance and also check the recommended vaccinations with your health service (such as DTP and hepatitis A). If you take a trip to Senegal, yellow fever vaccination is mandatory.
Yes, absolutely! Gambia is Africa in an accessible and relaxed way. The country is small, easy to travel around, and offers a nice mix of nature, culture, and beaches. For kids, it’s an adventurous and educational experience.
Conclusion – Gambia with kids is highly recommended
A warm destination nearby, affordable, full of nature, culture, and friendly people. It was way more fun than we expected. Do you have questions about your trip or our Gambia experience? Feel free to send me a message!
Book Your Holiday to Gambia with Kids
On Booking.com you can easily find kid-friendly accommodations in Gambia, and the cheapest flights can be found on Skyscanner. If you prefer a complete trip like we did, check out Corendon.nl for great deals. For fun excursions, boat trips, and activities, you can look at GetYourGuide.com or River Gambia Tours.
Still exploring options for a family-friendly holiday? On our homepage, you’ll find an overview of popular destinations for families.
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