Major city · The Gambia
Brufut
Half-day stop on the Atlantic Coast for the Sheraton beach and a quiet walk; not a base unless you want the resort. Combine with Tanji or Serekunda.
Brufut is a small coastal town 20 km west of Banjul, best known for the five-star Sheraton Gambia Resort and its quiet beach. Most travellers pass through on the way to Tanji or use the resort as a splurge night. The town itself has no major sights beyond the beach and a few local eateries.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GMD
- Best months
- Nov–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, humid)
- 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$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Brufut117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brufut, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (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
- SafetyBrufut is safe; petty theft is rare but keep valuables out of sight on the beach.
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 Airport (About 30 min by taxi; check the fare before you ride.).
- Getting aroundWalking within the village; taxi or hired car for Tanji (5 km (3.1 mi)) or Serekunda (10 km (6.2 mi)).Walking within the village; taxi or hired car for Tanji (3.1 mi (5 km)) or Serekunda (6.2 mi (10 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle in a bar)GMD 60–100
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Brufut to Tanji, one waycheckGMD 500–800
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomGMD 1,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomGMD 3,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomGMD 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GMD 2,000 · Mid GMD 5,000 · High GMD 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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 (About 30 min by taxi; check the fare before you ride.)
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
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (18 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brufut: 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)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°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
Walking within the village; taxi or hired car for Tanji (5 km) or Serekunda (10 km). No public transport hub in Brufut itself.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tanji
goDoor to door: 15 min
Taxi, about 10 min
Tanji fish market in the morning; return by lunch.
Door to door: 20 min
Taxi, about 15 min
Market and food stalls; combine with Brufut for a half-day.
Kunta Kinteh Island
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi to Banjul, then ferry and boat
Full-day trip; book a guide in advance.
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.
Sheraton area
The resort and a few guesthouses; beachfront, quiet, isolated from the village.
Brufut village
Small guesthouses and lodges; closer to local life but no nightlife.
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
- GMD 1,500–3,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- GMD 3,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- GMD 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × GMD 3,000 | GMD 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GMD 5,000 | GMD 10,000 |
| Taxi from Banjul Airport to Brufut1 × GMD 1,500 · check | GMD 1,500 |
| Taxi Brufut to Tanji, one way1 × GMD 500 · check | GMD 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GMD 1,500 |
| Trip total≈ GMD 8,250 per person per day, bed included | GMD 16,500 |
2026 estimate in Gambian dalasi; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | GMD 30–50 |
| Local meal (rice with fish or chicken) | GMD 150–300 |
| Beer (bottle in a bar) | GMD 60–100 |
| Taxi Brufut to Tanji, one waycheck | GMD 500–800 |
| Taxi Brufut to Banjul, one waycheck | GMD 1,000–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxis from Banjul or the airport: agree the price before getting in (check).
- Beach vendors can be persistent; a polite 'no' works.
- The Sheraton is isolated: you'll need a taxi for any meal or errand outside the resort.
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.
BrufutBrufut
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Nduk maa lee, abarakaTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance116
- Fire118
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Banjul; most other countries have consulates in Banjul or Dakar (Senegal).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Banjul Airport → Brufut, taxi: about GMD 1,500 (check)
- Brufut → Tanji, taxi: about GMD 500–800 (check)
Say or show
- Salaam aleikum — Hello (sa-LAAM a-LEY-kum)
- Jerejef — Thank you (JE-re-jef)
- Ñata? — How much? (NYA-ta)
- Haa / Hani — Yes / No (haa / HA-nee)
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 Brufut. 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–May · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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 Brufut
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