Best Time to Visit Banjul

November to March: the dry, easy months

This is the season most people come for, and it's easy to see why. Days are sunny and the air feels dry, especially from December to February. Nights are mild, with lows around 19°C in January and February. Almost no rain falls. You can wander Albert Market, take the ferry across the river to Barra, or drive out to Kotu and Kololi beaches without checking the sky.

December to February is high season. Hotels along the coast fill up with European visitors escaping winter, and flights get busier around Christmas and New Year. If you hate crowds, aim for November or March. Both are still dry and Excellent, but quieter. Banjul itself is small, so the crowds are mostly at the beach resorts nearby.

Birdwatchers should come in this window too. Spots like Abuko Nature Reserve are at their best when the ground is dry and the trails are easy to walk.

April to June: hotter and stickier

The days stay sunny, but humidity creeps up from 77% in April to 81% in June. Evenings feel warmer, with lows of 22°C in May and 25°C in June. April and May are still very dry, so they suit you if you don't mind the muggy air and want cheaper, emptier beaches. Midday is best spent in the shade or in the sea.

June is the turning point. Rain arrives on about eight days, usually in short bursts. It's still rated Excellent, but you'll notice the change.

July to October: the rains

From July to September the rainy season takes over. August is the wettest month by far, with 310 mm on 29 days. That means rain nearly every day, grey skies and only about 3.5 hours of sun. Some roads flood, and some lodges and river camps close or run quietly. It's the low season, so you'll find bargains and almost no other visitors.

Is it worth it? If you like green landscapes and don't mind getting wet, maybe. For a beach holiday, no.

October is a middle ground. Rain eases to 80 mm on 16 days, and it's the warmest stretch of the year, with highs of 30°C. By November the skies are clear again, and the season starts over.