Explore: Gambia - Formalities
Clearance
All official offices will need to be visited with all the crew – Customs, Immigration and the Harbor Master, and various forms will need to be filled in, lists of crew and stores compiled etc. (see Banjul for location of offices and specific port clearance information). Health may meet you on arrival.
Although the officials are reported to be very friendly, the formalities tend to be time consuming (approx. 5 hours) and a stock of small presents (cigarettes, lipstick, milk powder, old shoes, children’s coloring supplies etc.) will smooth the way.
Both Customs and Immigration may want to inspect the boat (although if you anchor it’s unlikely they will want to if a dinghy ride is required).
General Process:
Health: may meet you on arrival, however usually health are not involved in the clearance process so there is often confusion over how to handle arriving yachts. See Biosecurity for Covid-related health protocols. Officials will want to see vaccination booklets for all crew.
Customs: here there are forms to be filled in and stamped. Policy is that Customs should make an on board visit, however, this may or may not happen. A small ‘office contribution’ of a few dollars may help speed things along. Cruisers report that no specifics were asked about items brought into the country.
Immigration: many countries get a 28 day visa on arrival. Others, including the USA, will need a visa that can be issued on arrival. Prices for visas on arrival may well be negotiable. See Immigration for more details.
Port Office: Port fees are payable here as well as a river cruising permit (must be paid in local currency). You will be asked how long you intend to stay and this will be noted on the permit. A receipt will be given. See Fees.
Domestic Cruising:
As mentioned above, a river cruising permit is needed for going up-river.
Notes:
- Don’t expect the offices to have paper available. Take plenty of paper and pens with you.
- Contrary to what you might be told, offices are not open seven days a week. Try and arrange to arrive on a weekday.
- The fees charged will probably depend on the official you see. It is also possible that no change will be given, nor a receipt issued. Yachts have reported paying fees ranging from $25 to $150 with some of the smaller yachts paying more than the bigger ones. How you present yourself may also affect the fee you are charged. Small gifts (i.e. chocolates, cigarettes, lipsticks) are appreciated and may smooth the way.
- The yacht may or may not be inspected.
Last updated: December 2020
Immigration
Passports must be valid for the length of your stay.
Gambia is no longer a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Immigration Procedure:
If you do not have all your crew with you when visiting Immigration, they may want to come and inspect the boat.
Citizens of the United Kingdom, full members of the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and several other countries (including NZ), will be granted 28 days entry on arrival – visa free. Passports are stamped on arrival and an extension can be obtained for another 28 days.
For other countries (inc. USA passports) a visa is required. This can be arranged in advance, or issued on arrival. Those arriving without a visa are allowed two days to obtain one at the Immigration Office in Banjul. Costs in the region of 3000 Dalasi was paid (approx. $50USD) per person for the first month.
Other Visa Information:
Visas can be extended for a further 28 days at a cost of US $15.
Notes:
You must carry ID with you at all times. Carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original locked away.
Last updated: December 2020
Customs
Arriving by Yacht:
Customs may want to come and inspect your boat.
Length of Stay:
There does not appear to be any time limit on how long foreign yachts can stay in the country, although you will be asked about your intended length of stay on arrival and this will be noted on the river permit.
Other Items:
- Firearms must be declared.
- Gambia has strict laws on the import/export medications. Visitors arriving with substances containing hydroquinone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, flucinonide, clobestatol, or clobestatone must have a doctor’s prescription or may be subject to fines up to $2,000 and/or three years imprisonment.
- Medicines such as those containing codeine or diazepam are also banned under The Gambia’s drugs laws.
- Travelers in possession of prescription drugs should carry proof of their prescriptions, such as labelled containers. Police have been known to arrest foreigners carrying un-labelled pills.
Last updated: December 2020
BioSecurity
While the protocols below are as accurate as per the last date recorded, the situation is constantly changing with regards to Covid-19 protocols for yacht arrivals and skippers should always check with their intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required.
COVID-19 Protocols:
30 December, 2020:
Official Government requirements for yacht arrivals is unknown, but Banjul officials say that it is a requirement to have either:
- a negative Covid test (taken within 14 days of arrival); or
- a quarantine period of 14 days with sea time deducted from overall time.
Quarantine would have to be done at a specified hotel at the travelers expense.
Yacht that recently arrived in Banjul confirmed that after a discussion with the authorities, it was agreed that for the 4 yachts arriving in Dec 2020 a temperature test would be accepted and all were allowed entry. The entry process varied widely for each boat that entered, with “donations” accepted and probably now expected; usually health is not involved in the clearance process, so perhaps there is confusion over how to handle the process.
Our thanks to Kia Koropp for this update.
16 December, 2020:
- It is recommended that yacht crew arrive with a negative PCR test taken within 14 days of arrival in Gambia.
- Arrival without a test will mean quarantine for 14 days in a government facility at your own expense, however sea time will be taken into account.
- Cruisers report that the temperature test on arrival is still in place, however, you will likely be asked to pay a “donation to the office” if you don’t have a negative Covid test result. Clearly arriving with one will save a lot of hassle.
16 November, 2020:
Entry for yachts requires a temperature test on arrival and then immediate clearance as long as there is no fever present.
04 September, 2020:
- Quarantine is no longer necessary on arrival.
- Arriving tourists in possession of a negative Covid test certificate of not more than 72 hours, will not have to be tested on arrival in The Gambia.
From Ministry of Tourism Amendment to Guidelines – shared by the OCC.
Health
Medical facilities in The Gambia are very limited and the cost of medical evacuation can be very high.
Food and Water Concerns:
Cholera may be a risk. Water should be treated.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
Malaria is present in all areas of The Gambia throughout the year.
Malaria prophylaxis should be started one week prior to arrival.
Prescription Drugs:
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines like those containing codeine or diazepam are banned under The Gambia’s drugs laws.
Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.
Documents
Officials will want to see:
- Passport for each passenger/ crew member
- Ship’s documents
- Passenger and Crew List
- Crew vaccination records/booklets
Fees
Customs Fees:
A small “office contribution” may be asked for.
Immigration Fees:
Visa on arrival approx. 3000 Dalasi (USD $50) per person for the first month.
Visa extensions for a further 28 days: US $15.
Port Fees and River Cruising Permit: 22 Euros
Last updated: December 2020
Restrictions
The Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country and care should be taken to dress moderately, especially away from the tourist areas.
Local Customs
There is a zero tolerance towards LGBT people in The Gambia.
Some foreign nationals have been detained by the police in relation to homosexuality and there has been an increase in inflammatory homophobic rhetoric across the country.
The Criminal Code was amended in October 2014 and homosexual activity can now result in a 14 year prison sentence.
Pets
Animals must be declared.
