Churches
There are three main Christian denominations - Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist. Recently, other churches (mainly ‘born again’) have established missions in The Gambia. Churches are located in various parts of Greater Banjul and in the provinces.
Shopping
The craft markets outside the hotels in the main resort areas offer a variety of items and the most popular are tie and dye materials, batik, antique masks and other wood carvings, leather goods, jewelry, sand painting and basketry.
Buy with caution and use the African practice of bargaining for a fair price using your own judgment. The main markets in Banjul, Serrekunda, Bakau and Brikama are also interesting to visit. Shop and stall owners literally sell everything under the sun.
Please remember: It is illegal to export from The Gambia any article made from wild animal skins, ivory or feathers of any protected creature. Offenders will have goods confiscated and heavy fines imposed.
Supermarkets
There are well stocked supermarkets in Banjul, Bakau, Serrekunda and along the mixed business and residential area of Kairaba Avenue.
Most stores are open from 9.00am. Some close at 5.00 pm and others at 12 midnight. Most are closed on Sunday.
Local Customs
It is recommended to greet a person before starting a conversation. A handshake is widely used together with the words ‘Assalamu Aleikum’ meaning Peace Be Upon You. The majority of Gambians are Muslims and their religious belief should be respected by visitors. The right hand should always be used to give or receive things. Gambians are a very friendly people and visitors should not be afraid to accept their hospitality.
Dress code
In the resort areas and during excursions, most tourists wear light casual clothing. During the months of November to February, lightweight woolen jumpers or a jacket are needed for the cooler evenings. If you travel in the summer season, take a light raincoat. Although dress in the beach hotels is very informal, ladies should avoid wearing bikinis or go about topless outside the hotel grounds or beaches. Generally, light cotton materials, T-Shirts, shirts and baggy trousers are recommended. Dresses can be made to measure locally at very low prices.
Drinking water
In most of the Greater Banjul Area, the water supply system is fed from deep bore holes which is adequately chlorinated and considered safe for drinking. However, bottled mineral water is available from all hotels and supermarkets. ‘Naturelle’ is The Gambia’s own mineral water bottled by Gamwater in Kanifing.
Crime
The crime rate in The Gambia is generally lower than in most countries in this sub region. The main offences are petty thefts and break-ins.
Hospitals
Royal Victoria Hospital (Banjul); Medical Research Council (MRC) Fajara; Ahmadiyya Hospital (Tallinding Kunjang); Jemus Junkung Hospital (Bwiam); Bansang Hospital, APRC Hospital (Farafenni).
Clinics
Polyclinic and Leman Street Clinic (Banjul); Westfield Clinic (Serrekunda); Ndeban Clinic (Bakau); Lamtoro Clinic (Kololi); Bijilo Medical Center (Bijilo); Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital (Bundung).
Health Centers
Bakau, Serrekunda, Fajikunda, Sukuta, Brikama, Gunjur, Sibanor, Mansakonko, Janjanbureh, Basse; MRC (Farafenni, Basse). Patient visiting hours in most hospitals and clinics are between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.
Important Phone Numbers
| Hospitals/Clinics/Dentists |
| AfricMed Ltd. |
(220) 446-53-59 |
| Bijilo Medical Center |
(220) 446-48-68 |
| Kololi Clinic |
(220) 446-34-34 |
| Lamtoro Clinic |
(220) 446-05-96 |
| Royal Victorial Hospital |
(220) 422-37-56 |
| Swedent Clinic (Dentists) |
(220) 446-12-12 |
| Westfield Clinic |
(220) 439-22-13 |
|
| Fire Station |
| Bakau |
(220) 449-58-24 |
| Kotu |
(220) 446-34-70 |
| Churchill Town / Brikama |
(220) 437-27-07 |
| Head Quarters: Banjul |
(220) 422-43-24 or 118 |
|
| Police |
| Bakau, Sait Matty Road |
(220) 449-53-28 |
| Barra |
(220) 571-02-75 |
| Kairaba Avenue |
(220) 449-77-58 |
| Kotu |
(220) 446-33-51 |
| Serrekunda |
(220) 439-22-08 |
|
| Other |
| Banjul International Airport |
(220) 447-30-00 |
| Gambia Tourism Authority |
(220) 446-24-93 |
| Gambia Ports Authority |
(220) 422-72-66 |
| Central Bank of The Gambia |
(220) 422-76-33 |
The Gambia Investment and
Free Zone Agency |
(220) 422-28-29 |
|
|
Most hotels and many of the restaurants in The Gambia accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards but please confirm with management before making a transaction.
Cash in major currencies can be converted at banks and other locations throughout the country.
Business Hours
Offices
8:00am to 4:00pm. Monday to Thursday
8:00am to 12:30 pm. Friday
Banks in Banjul
8:00am to 1:30pm. Monday to Thursday
8:00am to 11:00am. Friday
Closed on Saturday and Public holidays
Branches of all Banks else where
Mondays to Thursdays from 08:00 to 16:00hrs.
Fridays will be 08:00 to 13:30 and then 14:30 to 16:00hrs Saturdays will be from 9:00 to 13:30hrs
 Central Bank of The Gambia
Headquarters: Banjul
1/2 Ecowas Avenue
Banjul
Telephone: (220) 422 8103/422 7633
Fax: (220) 422 6969
Telex: 2218 GAMBANK GV
Cables: GAMBANK
Email:
nfo@cbg.gm
www.cbg.gm
 International Commercial Bank (Gambia) Ltd.
Ground Floor
GIPFZA House
48, Kairaba Avenue, Serrekunda, KSMD
P.O. Box 1600
Telephone number: (220) 437 7878
Fax: (220) 437 7880
Email:
icbank@icbank-gambia.com
www.icbankingroup.com
 First International Bank Ltd.
Headquarters: 2 Kairaba Avenue (KSMD)
P.O. Box 1997
Banjul
Branches: Latrikunda, Serrekunda & Brikama
Telephone: (220) 439-6584/439 6580/439-6583
Fax: (220) 439 6662
SWIFT: FIBLGMGM
Email:
admin@fibgm.com
www.fibgm.com
 Arab-Gambian Islamic Bank Ltd.
Headquarters: 7 Ecowas Avenue (Buckle Street)
P. O. Box 1415
Banjul, The Gambia
Branches: Westfield Junction, Senegambia
Telephone: (220) 422 2222 / 422 3773
Fax: (220) 422 2211
Email:
agib@qanet.gm
www.agib.gm
 Guarantee Trust Bank
Headquarters: 56 Kairaba Avenue (Pipeline Road) Fajara PO BOX 1958
Branches: Banjul, Senegambi, Serrekunda, Bambo, Sukuta, Kanifing & Brikama
Telephone number: (220) 437 6371/2
Fax: (220) 437 6398
Email:
webmaster@gambia.gtbplc.com
www.gambia.gtbplc.com
 PHB Bank
Headquarters: Banjul Branches: Bakau and Serrekunda
Telephone: (220) 422 7944/422 8144
Fax: (220) 422 9312
Email:
customerrelations@bankphb.com
 Trust Bank Ltd.
Headquarters: Banjul Branches: Bakau, Westfield Junction, Senegambia Brikama, Farafenni, Yundum
Telephone (220) 422 5777/422 5778
Fax: 4225781
Telex : GV 2382
Email: info@trustbank.gm
 Standard Chartered Bank (Gambia) Ltd.
Headquarters: Banjul Branches: Westfield Junction, Fajara, Senegambia, and Basse
Telephone number:
4202929 / 4201123
4228681 / 4228682 / 4228683
Fax: 4202692 or 4222437
Bank Identification Code: scblgmgm (swift)
www.standardchartered.com/gm
 Reliance Financial Services Co Ltd
46 A Kairaba Avenue
Reliance Plaza Building
(near Elton Petrol Station)
Kanifing Municipal area (KSMD)
Telephone number: (220) 439 0070/439 0071
Fax: (220) 439 0155
Email info@reliancegambia.com
www.reliancegambia.com
Branches:Barra Point
Kiosks: Lamin,Serrekunda, Banjul Albert Market, Banjul Ferry Terminal, Tanji Village & Latrikunda Sabiji Market
 Ecobank
(Transnational Incorporated - ETI)
42 Kairaba Avenue
KSMD, Greater Banjul
PMB Box 3149
Serrekunda
Telephone number: 4399033
Fax: 4399034
Email:
contact@ecobank.com
BSIC – Gambia Limited
52 Kairaba Avenue
(Sankung Sillah Bldg.)
Fajara
PMB: 204
Serrekunda
Telephone number:
449 8077 / 4498078
Fax: 449 8080
Email:
bsicgm@bsicgambia.gm
Swift Code: BSAHGMGM |
