Major city · The Gambia
Brikama
Skip Brikama as a base: visit for a half-day to see the woodcarvers' market and Makasutu Culture Forest, then return to the coast.
Brikama is The Gambia's largest inland town and a transport hub, known for its woodcarvers' market and the nearby Makasutu Culture Forest. Most travellers pass through on a day trip from the Atlantic Coast resorts rather than staying overnight. The town itself has limited sights, but the forest reserve and craft market make a worthwhile half-day outing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GMD
- Best months
- Nov–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, some roads become muddy)
- Airport
- BJL
- Nights
- 0
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$20 or €20 in cash for the airport security fee charged on arrival and again on departure; card machines at the desk are unreliable.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Brikama117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brikama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD), about 70–75 per US$ (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
- SafetyBrikama is generally safe for daytime visits.
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 or bush taxi; check fares.).
- Getting aroundBush taxis (sept-places) and shared taxis connect Brikama to the coast and Banjul.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Bush taxi Brikama–BanjulcheckGMD 150–200
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (shared facilities), a night, per roomGMD 1,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (shared facilities), a night, per roomGMD 2,500
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (shared facilities), a night, per roomGMD 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GMD 2,000 · Mid GMD 4,000 · High GMD 7,000
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 or bush taxi; check fares.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (18 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brikama: 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
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°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
Bush taxis (sept-places) and shared taxis connect Brikama to the coast and Banjul. Walking covers the market and town centre. For Makasutu, hire a taxi from Brikama or from your resort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Makasutu Culture Forest
goDoor to door: About 30 min from Brikama
Taxi from Brikama centre, about 15 min
1,000-ha reserve with mangroves, baboons and birds; check entry fee.
Banjul
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bush taxi or shared taxi, about 45 min
Market, museum and Arch 22.
Serekunda
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bush taxi, about 30 min
Largest market in The Gambia.
Tanji
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Bush taxi, about 20 min
Fishing village and Tanji Bird Reserve.
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.
Town centre
Basic guesthouses with shared facilities; few options.
Outside town (Fula Kunda, Marakissa)
Lodges with en-suite huts and river views; better standard.
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 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- GMD 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- GMD 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Lodge hut (en-suite)1 × 1 night × GMD 5,000 | GMD 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GMD 4,000 | GMD 8,000 |
| Taxi from Banjul Airport to Brikama1 × GMD 1,500 · check | GMD 1,500 |
| Bush taxi Brikama–Banjul, one way2 × GMD 150 · check | GMD 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GMD 1,480 |
| Trip total≈ GMD 8,140 per person per day, bed included | GMD 16,280 |
2026 estimate in Gambian dalasi; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bush taxi Brikama–Banjulcheck | GMD 150–200 |
| Taxi from Brikama to Makasutucheck | GMD 500–800 |
| Wood carving (small piece)negotiable | GMD 300–1,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | GMD 30–50 |
| Local meal (rice with fish or chicken) | GMD 150–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Woodcarvers' market vendors are persistent; negotiate politely.
- Makasutu Culture Forest: check opening hours and entry fee before going.
- Roads can be unlit and have livestock; avoid driving after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 116
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BrikamaBrikama
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ndundi maa ñiŋ address laTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance116
- Fire118
Embassy
Most embassies are in Banjul or Fajara. The US Embassy is in Fajara; the UK High Commission is in Banjul.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bush taxi Brikama–Banjul: GMD 150–200, about 45 min (check)
- Taxi Brikama–Makasutu: GMD 500–800, about 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Salaam aleikum — Hello (sa-laam a-ley-kum)
- Jerejef — Thank you (je-re-jef)
- Ñata? — How much? (nya-ta)
- Ha'a — Yes (ha-a)
- Hani — No (ha-ni)
- Fara — Goodbye (fa-ra)
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 Brikama. 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, some roads become muddy) · 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 Brikama
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