Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin The Gambia due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Crime Petty street crime and home burglaries happen often in The Gambia.”
Updated Fri, 16 Jan 2026
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Is Banjul safe? 🇬🇲
Gambia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Banjul scores 66/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Banjul is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution due to petty crime and occasional civil unrest. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Banjul 🇬🇲
The Gambia · Assessed 11 October 2026
66
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime66/100FairHomicide 7.9 / 100k
Sentiment64/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability65Fair
Health66Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“No advisory against travel”
Updated 2018-08-03T12:34:10+01:00
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Gambia, The: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.022443-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
37k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
7.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
52
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery occur occasionally, mainly in poorly lit residential areas and isolated beaches after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag snatching are common in Albert Market, ferry terminals, and crowded transport hubs during daytime.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
64/100
Reported feel59Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
58.6% of residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark; visitors generally feel secure in daytime tourist zones but express concern about nighttime isolation and harassment.
Yes. Banjul is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution due to petty crime and occasional civil unrest.
Banjul scores 66/100 on safety, with moderate risks for pickpocketing and robbery, primarily in crowded markets and poorly lit areas after dark. Visitors report feeling secure in daytime tourist zones but express concern about nighttime isolation and harassment. Recent protests over power cuts have led to sporadic vandalism and looting in Greater Banjul, though these have not specifically targeted tourists.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Vandalism, arson & looting occurred as Gambians protested blackouts in Greater Banjul— The Point Newspaper
- Sep 2026Gambian leader pledged halt to rolling blackouts as protests turned violent— Al Jazeera
- Sep 2026Gambia banned protests without permits after unrest over power cuts— Reuters
- Sep 2026Gambia protesters burned tyres to denounce power cuts— Reuters
Common scams
- bumster hassle offering unsolicited guide services or goods
- fake juju traders
- taxi overcharging
- craft market pressure to buy
Full briefing
Banjul empties out after business hours and becomes very quiet at night, with sparse street lighting in many residential and side streets. Petty crime like pickpocketing is frequent in Albert Market and around ferry terminals, especially during busy daytime hours. Visitors should avoid displaying valuables and use licensed taxis after dark instead of walking alone. Recent protests over power cuts in September 2026 led to vandalism and looting in Greater Banjul, though these incidents have not specifically targeted tourists. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory due to crime and inadequate health infrastructure, while Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution. Scams targeting tourists include persistent bumster hassle, fake juju traders, taxi overcharging, and pressure to buy at craft markets. To stay safe, change money only at official banks, avoid demonstrations, and remain alert in crowded areas. While violent crime against tourists is relatively rare, harassment and fraud schemes require vigilance, particularly in poorly lit areas after dark. With proper precautions, visits can be safe and enjoyable, especially in the government district where security presence is higher during daytime hours.
Was this Banjul, The Gambia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Banjul districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Banjul safety map.
Cape PointavoidIsolated beaches after dark pose robbery risk; strong ocean currents make swimming hazardous without lifeguards.
Residential areas off main roadsavoidPoorly lit and isolated; mugging and armed robbery occur occasionally after dark; use licensed taxis at night.
Albert Market areacautionHigh pickpocketing and bag snatching in crowded market; exercise extreme caution with valuables during daytime.
Ferry terminals (Banjul-Barra)cautionFrequent theft from vehicles and pickpocketing in chaotic boarding conditions; remain alert with belongings.
SerrekundacautionBusy commercial hub with petty crime risks; take precautions against bag snatching and scams, especially after dark.
Government District (State House area)saferHigher security presence; generally safe during daytime with police patrols, but avoid displaying valuables.
Kairaba AvenuesaferMain tourist corridor with hotels and restaurants; generally safe daytime, but avoid isolated side streets at night.
Tourist beach resorts (Kololi area)saferWell-patrolled resort zone; low violent crime but watch for bumster hassle and scams on beaches.
07 · After Dark
Is Banjul safe at night?
59% of people in Gambia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Mugging and armed robbery occur occasionally, mainly in poorly lit residential areas and isolated beaches after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Cape Point, Residential areas off main roads, Albert Market area, Ferry terminals (Banjul-Barra). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Banjul safety FAQ (2026)
Is Banjul safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Banjul is moderately safe for visitors who exercise increased caution due to petty crime and occasional civil unrest. Banjul scores 66/100 on safety, with moderate risks for pickpocketing and robbery, primarily in crowded markets and poorly lit areas after dark. Visitors report feeling secure in daytime tourist zones but express concern about nighttime isolation and harassment. Recent protests over power cuts have led to sporadic vandalism and looting in Greater Banjul, though these have not specifically targeted tourists. (Assessed 11 October 2026.)
Is Banjul safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Banjul report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Banjul should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Cape Point, Residential areas off main roads as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Banjul (2026)?
- bumster hassle offering unsolicited guide services or goods
- fake juju traders
- taxi overcharging
- craft market pressure to buy
How does Banjul compare with other places in Gambia (2026)?
Banjul ranks #1 of 2 Gambia destinations we've assessed, scoring 66/100. See the Gambia safety overview for the full list.
How is this banjul safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: banjul.json (CC BY 4.0).