
People
The people of Banjul are famously warm and friendly. Warm greetings of ‘Hello’ and ‘Esama’, and easy going smiles will follow as you wander the warm, peaceful streets of Banjul.
Adults(16+ yrs)
Young Adult(12-15 yrs)
Children(2 - 11 yrs)
Infants(under 2 yrs)
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The tiny island city of Banjul (formerly Bathurst) is a land of peanuts, beeswax, palm oil and some of the most spectacular beaches in Africa. It is the capital of Gambia and home to a modest, but charming population of over 500,000 people. Attractions include Albert Market, Abuko Nature Reserve, Arch 22 and Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool.
Cheap flights to Banjul give you a chance to lose yourself in this untouched paradise on the shimmering West coast of Africa. Banjul is home to Banjul International Airport (BJL), which is a 45-minute drive from the city centre.
Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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The people of Banjul are famously warm and friendly. Warm greetings of ‘Hello’ and ‘Esama’, and easy going smiles will follow as you wander the warm, peaceful streets of Banjul.
Established as a base for suppressing the slave trade, the city glows with history. Tales of nobility and courage are deeply engraved into the quiet streets and old city walls.
Palapa umbrellas and juice bars, shaded by coconut palm trees, gaze on lazily as honey-hued sand dances rhythmically with turquoise waters beneath the warm Gambian sun.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
Country | The Gambia |
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Currency | Gambian Dalasi |
Language | English |
Hub Airport | Banjul International Airport (BJL) |
Airline | Mahfooz Aviation |
Time Zone | GMT+0 |
Travel Adaptor | Type C & F |
Banjul has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season spans the months of June to October, while the dry season settles over the city from November to June. Warm weather caresses the city throughout the year. Apart from winter (December to March) when temperatures can dip as low as 7 degrees Celsius, the weather remains consistently warm throughout the year. Early November and early April are a great time to visit Banjul as heat and humidity come down significantly, and the Harmattan winds blowing in from the Sahara bring a pleasant respite from the heat. The beaches are ripe and the city bursts open, ready to be explored and enjoyed. June to October is the best time to visit if you want cheap flights to Banjul. For a foray into the colourful culture of Banjul, the month of January sees the city awash with spirited parades, traditional dance and the hypnotic sounds of kora and sheikeire echo through the city streets. The Banjul Demba Cultural Festival and Banjul Fine Arts Festival offer spectacular displays of Gambian culture through art, dance and music performances.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low °C | 17°C | 18°C | 19°C | 19°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C | 22°C | 23°C | 21°C | 18°C |
High °C | 31°C | 33°C | 33°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 29°C | 29°C | 30°C | 31°C | 32°C | 31°C |
Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 232 | 380 | 276 | 88 | 5 | 1 |
The intimate capital city of Banjul offers a taste of authentic Africa.
Float through wild tangles of mangroves in a handmade pirogue; follow the scent of aromatic street food and curious allure of traditional African wooden masks at Albert Market; or laze upon the golden sands of the coastline for a therapeutic release.
However, Banjul is more than just a picturesque Gambian retreat – it also offers a scintillating history. The city was established in 1816 as a trading post and base for suppressing the slave trade. A noble feat that ignites pride in its residents.
Traces of its history in textiles can be found in its name. The name ‘Banjul’ is derived from the Mandé expression ‘bang julo’, a reference to fibres that were once harvested on the island and used in rope-making. And even more interesting – Banjul International Airport is a designated emergency landing site for NASA space shuttles.
Banjul is a hidden treasure, untouched by modernity. It is a place that glimmers with West African allure and small town charm, while still offering hints of a tropical paradise.
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