CAR RENTAL COMPANIES:
 There
are now quite a handful of car rental firms operating in Gambia
as compared to only a few back in the late 1990s. AB
Gambia Car Rental can
be found located at the front of the Senegambia Hotel. The others
are AVIS at the Kairaba
Hotel and Hertz at
Banjul Airport and Afriq
Cars Ltd in the Kololi Village Complex
on the main highway near Senegambia. Your hotels' receptionist
can best advise you where to look for the most convenient car
hire firm.
The car rentals sector
is not very well developed. You can pick up a vehicle at Banjul
International Airport's front booths or in the coastal resorts,
but elsewhere in the country the possibilities of getting one
are basically slim to none. Daily rates including insurance and
mileage can be pretty steep, and for a 4WD can go through the
roof.
 There
are a few important points to remember. First, rented vehicles
cannot, as a rule, be driven out of The Gambia into neighbouring
Senegal. A few firms are adamant on you taking only a four-wheel-drive
if you're planning on going off the main roads, even in the dry
season. It's not unusual to be appointed a driver, and it's essential
to be clear before hand about your driver's daily pay, accommodation
and food. If you're using a self-drive car, you have to be 23
years or over and are required to possess an international driving
licence or a UK driver's licence which can be used for short
stays.
Alternatively you can hire a taxi
on a daily basis as it simpler and cheaper. However low the price,
don't get into a vehicle that's not roadworthy, has an impatient
driver or someone you cannot communicate easily with. Finally,
ask politely to see his or her driver's licence is up to date,
the seat belt is working properly and the lights and signals are
in good working order.
CAR DRIVING:
Please note that driving in Gambia is on the right-side of the
road. Don't automatically presume that your auto is roadworthy.
Before departing, take a look at the state of the engine and tyres
and don't start the car without first checking the battery, water
level for the radiator tank and ensuring you have a spare tyre
or two as well as the tools to change a flat one. You might want
to consider keeping a jerry can of fuel and tap water in the boot
just in case. You may find yourself low on fuel in the bush or
there might be a small leak in the radiator. These two items may
be able to get you to the nearest mechanic or amenity. If you
do have a breakdown local mechanics are pretty adept at starting
your vehicle having cut their teeth on numerous old cars still
on the roads. However, aside from the
major towns, spare parts, good equipment and tools are few and
far between inland from the Kombo Coastal region, with Brikama
being an exception.
When driving, be careful of the sudden appearance of ditches,
rocks, and potholes as well as goats, sheep, cows, chickens,
dogs and people on the road. Very often people will walk along
the road due to a lack of paving or because they don't want to
get their shoes dusty! It's normal to press your horn repeatedly
to alert cyclists and pedestrians of your approach. Do not
drive past a police / military road checkpoint or barrier without
coming to a complete stop and waiting to be waved on, and always
keep your documents in the vehicle's glove compartment.
In The Gambia cars drive on the right, though on very potholed
roads vehicles stay on the smoothest part of the road until they
have to pass one another. Hand signals are normally used to say
"Please give way", "Please over-take me",
"Don't overtake me", but don't presume the driver ahead
of you can see that the road is clear for you to pass, and many
drivers rarely look in their wing mirrors. Don't assume
that if a car signals to turn it's actually going to turn, and
don't assume that a car that does not signal to turn will not
actually turn! Many accidents on the road happen due to erroneous
signal assumptions. In short don't assume anything about
the intended behaviour of other drivers.
(See more on 
traffic driving regulations)
BICYCLE RENTALS:
 Bicycling
is the most eco-friendly mode of transport for Gambia. One is
able to hire bicycles from cycle rental stalls dotted around the
coast, mostly close to the major tourist class hotels. Be choosy
though as quality is highly variable. It gives you great flexibility
to go into areas that cars cannot reach for example narrow dirt
roads and people bridges. Most of the hotel resort areas have
cycles for hire on a whole day or half-day basis for relatively
small amounts of money. Before setting off make sure the lights
are working properly, tires are fully inflated and, when riding
at night, always wear something fluorescent as most rural roads
are unlit. Even where the roads are lit street lights will sometimes
suddenly go out. You must take great care when riding on the main
roads and it is perhaps safer to ride on the 'footpath' when you
are cycling in rural areas.
A bike allows you to travel and explore well off the tourist beaten
track. Many routes that can't be accessed by motor cars because
they are too uneven, or involve passing through small tributaries,
are often accessible by bicycle. With a rugged bike, you can go
along dirt paths in the bush and villages. You can even ride on
the beach from Fajara down to Gunjur in Kombo South - at low tide
the sand near the water-line has a firmer, even surface. Riding
a bike also offers the best short-cut between Fajara
to Kololi's Senegambia resorts, while
avoiding the traffic along the Kombo
Coastal Road. If the tide rises, just pick up the bike and
get back on a path or road. If you get tired just hail a cab and
place the bike on a the roof rack and go on your way.
Rental bikes are not normally well-suited for long distance cycling.
For extensive touring you could bring over your own mountain bike
to The Gambia, or buy a tough bike after your arrival. There are
plenty of retail distributors in many towns with Serrekunda
having the largest choice, as well as cycle locks, padlocks and
chains. Don't forget to take along strong battery-powered lights
- the headlight can have the alternative use of being a torchlight
and batteries are readily available. A rear view mirror is highly
recommended for riding on the highways, but when it comes to anticipating
the intended movement of the traffic around you, don't take anything
as given.
Depending on your physical health and keenness, expect to cycle
around 40-100km each day. The landscape geography is generally
flat and gentle and, with the occasional rests, you could move
across the whole country from west to east and back again in less
than two weeks.
(See more on
bicycling).
QUAD BIKES:
 The
other increasingly popular and leisurely way of getting around
the Gambia is by quad biking, which
can be used on the roads, some paths and is great for the beach
flats. It is advisable however to avoid the major highways when
possible, especially during the rush hour and always wear a helmet.
Finally do make sure that it is covered by your travel insurance
policy. More...
TOURIST TAXIS:
 These
taxis are green coloured and are regulated by the Tourism
Authority, and as a result must be fully insured and have
to pass a yearly inspection - the closest thing to the UK's MOT
Test. These taxis offer trips at set
prices, including standing time and a return journey, if requested.
Ask for a discount if you are taking a return journey as they
might otherwise return empty. These prices are normally displayed
on special boards at the taxi queues in the resort areas, thus
reducing the chances of you being charged exorbitant rates. The
advantage of these tourist taxis is that they are usually given
easy access close to the major hotels in Kotu Bendula, Senegambia
Strip in Kololi and Cape
Point.  These
areas are normally out of bounds for the standard yellow cabs,
however, they can obtain a special ticket just outside the Senegambia
Strip which allows them to drop you off, but not pick up.
There are also a number of green 4 by 4 wheel drives that are
very popular with the more independent minded travellers and can
be found for hire outside the Senegambia
Strip in Kololi and the other busy coastal hotel resorts.
They are a good way to get great views of the scenery while being
driven deep in the bush or down south to the secluded beaches
of Kartong and Sanyang.
The major drawback of the green tourist taxis is the cost - about
three times as much for a typical short trip. It's a good idea
to get the mobile number of a driver you get on well with and
try and negotiate prices if you call him regularly. Often they
oblige because of the repeated custom. Fling them a treat occasionally
too. More...
FERRY CROSSINGS:
 There
are about 8 ferry crossing points along the Gambia
River at many small terminals as well as the main one at the
Banjul Ferry Terminal. The
cost of crossing the Gambia River estuary from Banjul
to Barra is less than the cost
of a soft canned drink. There are also vehicle ferries connecting
Janjangbureh Island to the north
and south banks of the river at Sankulay Kunda Lamin Koto; a Bambatenda-Yelitenda
ferry; and ferries at Bansang, Basse
Santa Su and Fatoto. At other points the river can be crossed
by hand paddled passenger vessels.
BOATS:
 There
are river boats available for private charter, such as the river
vessels operated by Jane's Boats
who can take you for up-river fishing and birdwatching
cruises from Banjul's Denton Bridge
up to Georgetown (Janjanbureh).
Another alternative is to hire a fishing boat from one of the
many boating and fishing tour operators
located at Denton Bridge, Banjul.
They are usually run as sports fishing businesses but can double
up for a tailored, lazy cruise up-river as far as is navigable.
You can also hire an African Pirogue from a number of local fishermen
but please bear in mind such people don't usually carry life jackets
or 2 way radios on their boats. The African pirogues (narrow canoes)
are usually powered by an outboard engine, and are a neat way
off exploring the many creeks and swamp mangroves. You can use
them as a form of enjoyable transport if you know the precise
spot you want to get off at by the river bank.
MICROLIGHT & LIGHT AIRCRAFT FLIGHTS:
 This
is a spectacular way to enjoy aerial scenery of the Gambia's creeks,
mangroves and national
parks while getting from A to B. There are a few landing strips
in the country so you are able to make stopovers in certain areas
of tourist interest. These light aircraft flights are operated
by Maddox Microlights who essentially operate a light aircraft
and microlight training centre. By light aircraft, you can be
taken up-river to Georgetown (Janjanbureh)
or Tendaba in a lot less time
than by road.
Contact MADOX Microlights:
Club House:+220 4374259
Bookings: +220 4462100
Email: cobra@gamtel.gm
WALKING:
If you choose to do a lot of walking. then
you should consider carrying a small rucksack with plenty of cold
water, sun factor cream, mosquito repellent, wear a hat, put on
sunglasses. If you are entering the bush by foot then you should
wear boots, thick trousers to protect you from possible stings
and bites from spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes and snakes. The
bet times to go on foot are first thing in the morning or late
afternoons. During mid-day it can get very hot even in the winter
season so do be careful about sunstroke.
(See also
What to Pack)
HITCH HIKING:
 This
form of transport is not at all easy as most people giving you
a lift expect something in return since you are a relatively 'well
off' visitor. You may get lucky and get a lift from a well to
do local who won't normally expect anything in return. Also remember
that you would be competing with many poor people who don't have
a car or bike and free lifts is all they can get. Anyhow, local
transport is very cheap and you get to chat with the locals. If
you have a backpack then look for transport with a roof rack.
RICKSHAW:
 Since
around the mid 2000s motorised rickshaws have begun to spring
up around the Gambia as a budget and more leisurely alternative
to the numerous taxis plying the streets.
They can be great for leaving the main roads and venturing down
dirt roads, for shopping or exploring relatively tranquil areas
around your hotel and nearby beaches
and nature spots. You can find these parked around the major hotels
around Senegambia in Kololi and Kotu. |
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Travel
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