Gambia car hire

Prepare to be overwhelmed when exiting the Arrivals gate at Banjul International Airport (BJL) by a swell of men offering local taxi services. While the majority of these services are legitimate, hiring a car is your next best option.

Language: English | Currency: Gambian dalasi | Avg. Flight time: 6 hrs

Hertz has a car hire desk at Banjul Airport, while Avis has an office in the city centre which is just 16km (10 miles) from the airport. Near to the resort areas such as Kololi, Kotu and Cape Point, there are a number of local car rental companies such as AB, Afriq Cars and GVT.

Banjul is a delightful city with a busy harbour and colonial architecture. Albert Market, located on Liberation Avenue, is a bustling hub with sellers and buyers haggling passionately over anything from hair products to fresh vegetables. To have the best views of the city, climb to the top of Arch 22, a 35m-high commemorative – yep, you guessed it – arch. If you’re interested in history, the National Museum has a good collection of artefacts tracing Gambian history.

11km (7 miles) south-east of Kololi beach resort, the Abuko Nature Reserve is home to crocodiles, monkeys, forest antelope and over 300 bird species. It’s best to go early in the morning when it’s cool and the birds are out and about finding food. Hiring a car allows you to get there and back effortlessly.

The coastal village of Bakau is where you’ll find Kachikally Crocodile Pool – this is a sacred site which is used for fertility rites. While you’re there, also visit Bakau Fish Market for a truly authentic experience.

You can drive in The Gambia using a UK driving licence for up to three months, and most car hire companies require the driver to be at least 25 years old.

The roads conditions are reasonably good in the city centre and around the resort towns. Venturing beyond these areas though, you’ll need to be prepared for unpaved roads. Security checkpoints are also common.

During the rainy season (June to October), heavy rainfall can cause localised flooding, making some small roads impassable.

The best car hire advice is to book your rental prior to your trip on TravelSupermarket. This way, you can get the vehicle you want at a good price.

1. Opt for a 4x4 vehicle for better grip and stability when accessing uneven and dirt roads.

2. Gambians drive on the right side; however, locals tend to drive wherever the road is in best condition, meaning that there may be overtaking on the left. Be prepared and cautious when on the roads.

3. There are almost no street or road lights in The Gambia, so drive with caution at night and make sure that all your vehicle’s lights are in working order. You should also ensure that your vehicle has a portable torch.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.