Banjul is the capital of the Gambia, set on St Mary's Island at the mouth where the Gambia River opens to the Atlantic. The whole country is a narrow strip along the two banks of that river, surrounded by Senegal. The capital itself holds under 40,000 people, and most hotels and beaches lie west of it at Serrekunda, Bakau and Kololi. The city's emblem is Arch 22, raised in 1996. With more than 600 recorded bird species, the Gambia is one of the busiest birdwatching countries in West Africa, and its official language is English.
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See flights to Banjul →When to visit Banjul
November to February is the dry season and the best time to travel, with days around 30C and low humidity. June to October is the rainy season and humidity rises. The peak window for birdwatching runs from November to March.
Things to do in Banjul
Arch 22
The 35 metre arch at the entrance to the city was raised in 1996 to mark the anniversary of the 1994 coup. Its upper viewing deck looks over Banjul, the port and the river mouth, and a small exhibition room is housed inside.
Albert Market
The market in the middle of Banjul has stood on the same ground since the nineteenth century, right beside the port. Alongside the food section there are stalls for cloth, wood carving and batik.
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
The pool at Bakau is held sacred locally and is home to West African Nile crocodiles. A small ethnographic museum and a short forest path around the water are part of the site.
Kunta Kinteh Island
The small island in the river carries the remains of the slave trade era and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2003. It is reached by boat from Banjul, and erosion has shrunk the fort ruins on it over the years.
Abuko Nature Reserve
The reserve about 25 kilometres south of Banjul was declared in 1968 and is the country's first. Paths through its gallery forest give sightings of monkeys, crocodiles and more than a hundred bird species.
National Museum of the Gambia
The museum on Independence Drive displays archaeological finds from the region, traditional musical instruments and colonial era documents. The collection is small but pulls the country's history together quickly.
Flights from Turkey to Banjul
A direct flight from Istanbul to Banjul takes about 7 hours 10 minutes and Turkish Airlines operates the route year round. The service runs on set days of the week, and connecting options through Dakar also exist.
Banjul FAQ
How many days do you need in Banjul?
Two days cover the capital and Bakau. Adding Kunta Kinteh Island, Abuko and the birdwatching sites upriver makes five to seven days a suitable length.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Banjul International Airport is at Yundum, about 30 kilometres from the capital. The taxi ride takes around 40 minutes, and the hotel areas are closer.
What do you need to enter the Gambia?
A visa applies for a Turkish passport and the application is made before travel. A yellow fever certificate may be requested, and a doctor should be consulted about malaria protection before the trip.
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