Major city · The Gambia
Serekunda
Spend a half day exploring the market and Kachikally Crocodile Pool; stay one night in a budget guesthouse.
Serekunda is The Gambia's largest city and the hub of the coastal tourism strip. Its chaotic market, nearby beaches and the Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool can be covered in a single day, while budget guesthouses let you rest before heading to the Atlantic coast or Banjul.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GMD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- BJL
- Nights
- 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$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Serekunda117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Serekunda, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay aware of pickpockets in the market and negotiate any extra fees for guides.
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.
- AirportBJL Banjul International Airport (Main international gateway, about 30 km (19 mi) north of Serekunda; taxis or minibuses available.).BJL Banjul International Airport (Main international gateway, about 19 mi (30 km) north of Serekunda; taxis or minibuses available.).
- Getting aroundWalk the market area; taxis (often shared) connect to beaches and the crocodile pool; local minibuses (bush taxis) run along the coastal road.
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 Airport (Main international gateway, about 30 km (19 mi) north of Serekunda; taxis or minibuses available.)BJL Banjul International Airport (Main international gateway, about 19 mi (30 km) north of Serekunda; taxis or minibuses available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Serekunda: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 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
Walk the market area; taxis (often shared) connect to beaches and the crocodile pool; local minibuses (bush taxis) run along the coastal road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kololi Beach
goDoor to door: 15 min
Taxi or minibus north along the coastal road, ~10 min
Popular resort beach, hotels and bars.
Kotu Beach
goDoor to door: 20 min
Taxi north, ~12 min
Quieter stretch north of Kololi.
Bakau Beach
goDoor to door: 25 min
Taxi north, ~15 min
Near Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
Bijilo Forest Park
cautionDoor to door: 30 min
Taxi east to Kololi, then short walk
Entry D300; staff may upsell guide services.
Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool
goDoor to door: 20 min
Taxi or shared minibus to Bakau, then walk
Touch crocodiles for D200 (2026).
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.
Sarawally Guest House
Single/double rooms, free Wi‑Fi, breakfast; about D750 per night.
Mama's Restaurant and Guesthouse
Double rooms with ensuite, balcony; about €14 (~D1,000) per night.
YMCA Hostel & Backpackers
Shared rooms, clean; about D400 per night.
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
- D800–D1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- D1,200–D2,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget guesthouse room1 × 1 night × GMD 750 | GMD 750 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GMD 800 | GMD 800 |
| Taxi from Serekunda to Kololi Beach (round trip)1 × GMD 1,500 · check | GMD 1,500 |
| Entry to Bijilo Forest Park1 × GMD 300 · check | GMD 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GMD 335 |
| Trip total≈ GMD 3,685 per person per day, bed included | GMD 3,685 |
2026 estimate in GMD; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal (local restaurant) | D300–D600 |
| Taxi (short ride) | D150–D300 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | D50–D80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Market can be chaotic; keep valuables close.
- Bijilo Forest Park staff may pressure visitors to pay for a guide; entry D300 (2025).
- Crocodile pool entry D200 (2026).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 116
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SerekundaSerekunda
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Maa la a jooTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance116
- Fire118
Embassy
US consulate in Banjul; other embassies in Dakar (Senegal).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Serekunda → Kololi Beach: about D200–D300, 10 min (check)
Say or show
- Afuno — Excuse me / Sorry (a-fu-no)
- Jerejef — Thank you (je-re-jeff)
- Naa la? — How much is it? (na la)
- Koto be na? — Where is the toilet? (ko-to be na)
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 Serekunda. 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) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a beach‑side resort stay in Kololi for 2–3 nights.
- Combine with a day trip to Banjul (market, Arch 22).
Sources
Ask about Serekunda
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