Best Time to Visit Gambia (Climate Chart and Table)

On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Gambia. We created climate tables and charts for the location of Banjul. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Gambia for your holiday.

Climate Overview

15 °C to 34 °C

21 °C to 27 °C

0 – 15.94 in (0 – 17 Days of Rain)

Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

Table of Contents

1. Geographical location

2. Climate in Gambia

3. Best Time to Travel for Gambia: Overview

4. When to go to the Gambia?

5. Climate Chart Gambia

5.1 Climate Chart Banjul

6. Climate Table Gambia

6.1 Climate Table Banjul

7. Highlights and Attractions

8. Current Weather and Forecast

9. Experiences of our Visitors

10. Share your Experience and Win

The smallest country on the African mainland is Gambia. It shares its name with the main river that divides the country along its horizontal axis. About 1.7 million people live on an area of 7000 square miles. This results in a population density of 152 inhabitants per square kilometre.

The country is almost completely surrounded by Senegal, so there are no other neighbouring countries. In the west of the country, the Atlantic Ocean is a natural border. Because of this rather small border area to the sea one cannot call Gambia an enclave, although the small state is called as such in many travel guides.

The capital Banjul is also located directly on the Atlantic coast. The City of Banjul is relatively small with around 32,000 inhabitants and is only the eighth largest town in the country. However, it is an important economic centre and is home to the International Airport, which connects Gambia with numerous cities around the world.

The seaport also plays an outstanding role for the Republic of West Africa and is the most important transhipment centre for the distinct peanut export industry.

Climate in Gambia

The climate in the Gambia is tropical and warm. In the course of the year there is both a pronounced dry season and a rainy phase. In spring, temperatures inland can reach 43 °C during the day. Temperatures on the coast rise to a maximum of 34 °C. From October to June the average temperatures vary between 31 °C to 34 °C.

Thus a quite constant temperature is to be registered at this travel time. During the summer the humidity increases and it often becomes unpleasantly humid. The official rainy season begins in Gambia in June. The intensity increases to around 15.94 in of precipitation per month by August and slowly levels off again by October. Very little rainfall of about 3.35 in is expected in October.

The dry season begins immediately afterwards and runs from December to April. During this time there is almost no precipitation and a cloudless sky and warm temperatures determine everyday life in the Gambia. This dry period is mainly caused by trade winds from the Sahara, the so-called Harmattan, which mainly transports dry and hot air to West Africa.

Beach Vacation in February

Ko Samui

28 °C

30 °C

1.3 in

Maldives

27 °C

30 °C

1.97 in

Punta Cana

26 °C

28 °C

2.13 in

Jamaica

26 °C

28 °C

2.52 in

Curaçao

25 °C

29 °C

1.1 in

Oman

25 °C

28 °C

0.63 in

Dubai

21 °C

25 °C

1.42 in

Diani Beach

29 °C

33 °C

0.51 in

Zanzibar

29 °C

32 °C

2.2 in

Thailand

28 °C

33 °C

1.02 in

Best Time to Visit Gambia: Overview

JanuaryJan Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	FebruaryFeb Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	MarchMar Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	AprilApr Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	MayMay Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	JuneJun Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul
JulyJul Up to 10.51 in of rainof rain	AugustAug Up to 16.34 in of rainof rain	SeptemberSep Up to 11.26 in of rainof rain	OctoberOct Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	NovemberNov Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul	DecemberDec Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Banjul

When to go to the Gambia?

The months October to June can be recommended by us without reservation as the best travel season in Gambia. As already described, this is the climatic dry season. At daytime temperatures of about 30 °C, it is particularly pleasant near the coast. Water temperatures of 21 °C to 25 °C create perfect conditions for a bathing holiday.

For a more solitary beach holiday, however, the months of October and November are suitable. The sea is still heated by the rainy season and the beaches are relatively empty. The rainy season, on the other hand, is less suitable for a trip. For Europeans, the high humidity is hard to bear. A journey through the country is now made very difficult by the heavy rainfall.

The partly unpaved roads are difficult to pass. You should therefore trust in the best travel time possible and travel to the beautiful Gambia during the dry season. Speaking of streets: Until 1965 left-hand traffic prevailed in the Gambia, but this was abolished.

Climate Chart Gambia

Banjul

Show temperatures in degree

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Table Gambia

In the following, you will find the climate table for Gambia, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Banjul (Gambia)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day Temperature	31°	32°	34°	33°	31°	31°	30°	29°	31°	31°	32°	31°
Night Temperature	15°	16°	17°	18°	20°	23°	23°	23°	23°	22°	19°	16°
Water Temperature	22°	21°	21°	22°	24°	26°	27°	27°	27°	27°	27°	24°
Precipitation (inch)	0.04	0.04	0	0	0.16	2.44	10.51	15.94	11.26	3.39	0.24	0
Rainy days	0	0	0	0	0	5	15	17	15	5	0	0
Hours of Sunshine	7	8	9	8	7	7	6	6	6	7	8	7

Show temperatures in degree

Temperatures

The annual average temperature in Banjul is 25.9 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: June (27.6 °C)
Coldest month: January (23.4 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Banjul is 27 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months

Precipitation

Overall annual precipitation: 44.02 inch on 57 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): July, August, and September
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 37.72 in

You cannot expect snow in any month in Banjul.

Sunshine

As our climate table shows, March is the sunniest month with an average of 8.6 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 7.2 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Highlights and Attractions

During the dry season from December to April, numerous migratory birds hibernate in the Gambia. This time is ideal for birdwatching. Here you can join professional guides (e.g. about “Birdwatching in the Gambia”) and learn more about the flora and fauna of the country. Safari tours are also coming slowly, and wildlife watching is still taking place mainly in the area of the big river Gambia.

Another attraction is the Bijilo Forest Park in Banjul. Bakau is only a few kilometres from the capital. The Katchikally Crocodile Pool should also be on every Gambia itinerary.

For most travellers, the main holiday destination in the Gambia is the beach. One of the absolute dream beaches of the country is Kotu Beach, a highlight for every traveller. Most holiday hotels with a good standard can also be found here. Our favorite beaches in Gambia are Cape Point, Jinack Island Beach, Sanyang Beach and Kartung.

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Banjul

few clouds, 32.2 °C

Clouds: 16 % Wind: 7 mph NNW
Air Pressure: 1009 hPa Humidity: 19 %

Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 05:46 pm

The next days …

8th Feb 2023	9th Feb 2023	10th Feb 2023	11th Feb 2023	12th Feb 2023	13th Feb 2023
21 °C to 27 °C	21 °C to 27 °C	20 °C to 25 °C	20 °C to 24 °C	20 °C to 24 °C	21 °C to 26 °C
21 °C to 27 °C	21 °C to 27 °C	20 °C to 25 °C	20 °C to 24 °C	20 °C to 24 °C	21 °C to 26 °C
Clouds: 75 %	Clouds: 0 %	Clouds: 7 %	Clouds: 4 %	Clouds: 0 %	Clouds: 60 %
No Precipitation	No Precipitation	No Precipitation	No Precipitation	No Precipitation	No Precipitation

Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)

Show temperatures in degree

Best Time to Travel for the Regions

Banjul: all except July, August, and September

Hottest Month

March: 34 °C
Day Temperature in Banjul

Coldest Month

January: 15 °C
Night Temperature in Banjul

Rainiest Month

August: 15.94 in
Rain in Banjul

Driest Month

March: 0 in
Rain in Banjul

Maximum Water Temperature

July: 27 °C
Water Temperature in Banjul

Sunniest Month

March: 8.6 hours/day
Sunshine in Banjul

Distances to Gambia

	London	New York	Los Angeles
Banjul	2790 mi	3920 mi	6360 mi

Where’s Gambia?

Show Banjul on Map

Continent: Africa

All Holiday Destinations in Africa

Proof of Image Sources

Gambia: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 3 reviews for Gambia holiday already. Average rating is 4.7 of 5 stars.

Theodora, 67 years old was there in February

I was there for the second time in 2017 and it was very nice and warm. Sun every day. Anytime again.

Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Stefan , 48 years old was there in January

I fly next week for the 3rd time to Gambia last year and before that also in January must honestly say I can only report good very pleasant warmth around 30 degrees only sun every day beach super nice always nice nice and helpful services

Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Frank, 50 years old was there in March

The warmth in Gambia was very pleasant. I can highly recommend the travel season March/April.

Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

Share your Experience and Win

We want to know: how was the weather during your Gambia holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.