Major city · The Gambia
Bintang
Visit Bintang for a day only; skip overnight – bus 1 h from Brikama, lodge rooms 650–800 D, mangrove setting.
Bintang is a small riverside village with a single lodge on the Bintang Bolong. It is reachable by a 1‑hour bus from Brikama and offers basic accommodation and mangrove‑set boat trips. There are no major attractions beyond the lodge, so a day visit is sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GMD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, high tide may limit access)
- Airport
- Banjul International (BJL)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- The Gambia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Gambian government sources before booking.
- The Gambia ↗Dress modestly away from the beach: shoulders and knees covered in towns and villages.
- The Gambia ↗Keep about US$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bintang117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bintang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (check).The Gambia-wide
- SIM or eSIMAfricell, QCell and Gamcel SIMs sold at the airport and shops; passport registration.The Gambia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled water everywhere.The Gambia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.The Gambia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.The Gambia-wide
- SafetyBintang is a quiet village and the usual risks are practical, not criminal: unlit roads after dark, livestock on the road, and cash-only services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; basic elsewhere.The Gambia-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 116 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday afternoon slows; Tobaski and Koriteh close shops; some hotels close Jul–Oct.The Gambia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBJL Banjul International (Yundum) (Nearest airport, about 30 km (19 mi) west; bus or shared taxi via Brikama, roughly 1.5–2 h (check)).BJL Banjul International (Yundum) (Nearest airport, about 19 mi (30 km) west; bus or shared taxi via Brikama, roughly 1.5–2 h (check)).
- Getting aroundTake a direct bus from Brikama (≈1 h, ~40 Dalasis).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BJL Banjul International (Yundum) (Nearest airport, about 30 km (19 mi) west; bus or shared taxi via Brikama, roughly 1.5–2 h (check))BJL Banjul International (Yundum) (Nearest airport, about 19 mi (30 km) west; bus or shared taxi via Brikama, roughly 1.5–2 h (check))
Map of Bintang
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Aug (17 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bintang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Take a direct bus from Brikama (≈1 h, ~40 Dalasis). Within the village walk to the lodge; boat trips arranged locally.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Brikama
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Direct bus from Bintang, about 1 h
Market town and the transport hub for the south bank; buses back to Bintang run through the afternoon.
Gunjur
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus or shared taxi via Brikama, then south to the coast
Long for a return day; combine with Brikama or sleep on the coast.
Tanji
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus to Brikama, then west along the coast road
Fishing beach and bird reserve; better as a stop when moving to the coast.
Door to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus to Brikama, then a second bus or shared taxi north
Only worth it if you are heading to the Atlantic coast resorts anyway.
Janjanbureh
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
South-bank road east via Soma, usually with a change
Too far for a day; sleep upriver.
Kunta Kinteh Island
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
Road west to Juffureh, then a boat
Boat crossings depend on tide and a booked operator.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bintang Bolong Lodge
Rooms 650–800 Dalasis; on stilts in mangroves, fresh‑fish meals and boat trips.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- D1,000–1,800 excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- D1,800–3,500 excl. bed (check)
- High
- D3,500+ excl. bed (check)
Watch out
Safety
- High tide can flood low‑lying paths; check with the lodge before arrival.
- Limited services – bring cash and supplies.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 116
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BintangBintang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kafu n'na, baŋTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance116
- Fire118
Embassy
US consulate in Banjul (check address); other embassies in Dakar.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Brikama → Bintang bus: about 40 Dalasis, ~1 h (check)
Say or show
- Afuwan — Excuse me / Sorry (a-fu-wan)
- Jerejef — Thank you (je-re-je-f)
- Kadi a be? — How much is it? (ka-di a be?)
- Koto be? — Where is the toilet? (ko-to be?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bintang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, high tide may limit access) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bintang
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