When to go · Banjul
Banjul in May
Mixed month. Hot and humid; rains build.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 31° / 22°
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Low
- The Gambia overall
- Prices
- Medium
- The Gambia overall
Verdict
Hot and humid; rains build.
Weather in May
- BanjulHighs around 31 °C, lows around 22 °C, rain on about 1 day
- Atlantic coast, The Gambia · Banjul, Kololi, Kotu, Kartongbest weather
Sunny, 25–30 °C and breezy from November to May; Harmattan haze some weeks; the rains hit July–September.
Dry season season
Still rain-free, but noticeably hotter and more humid as the season builds.
Watch: Heat management matters more; keep outdoor stops to the morning.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Koriteh (Eid al-Fitr) check
Moves yearly; check · Whole city
A day or two of closures; busy transport and markets beforehand.
Labour Day and Africa Day
1 and 25 May · Nationwide
Public holidays; Banjul itself stays fairly quiet.
Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) check
Moves yearly; check · Whole city
The country's biggest holiday: transport books out, sheep are sold everywhere, and many residents travel to family homes upcountry.
Labour Day
1 May
Public holiday; most shops still open in the market.
Africa Day
25 May
Public holiday; low-key in Banjul itself.
International Roots Festival
Usually around May, moves; check
A biennial heritage festival tied to Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh, with events and performers also appearing in Banjul; confirm this year's dates and whether it is running.
Tobaski (Eid al-Adha) big impact
May 2026 (lunar — check) · The Gambia
Heavy travel before; shops shut for days.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · The Gambia overall
- Low
- Prices · The Gambia overall
- Medium
The Gambia overall: Last dry month; Tabaski may fall here in 2026 (check).
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen