When to go · The Gambia
The Gambia in May
Great month. Last dry month; Tabaski may fall here in 2026 (check).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Low
- The Gambia
- Prices
- Medium
- The Gambia
Verdict
Last dry month; Tabaski may fall here in 2026 (check).
Is another month better than May?
No other month rates higher than May for The Gambia in this guide.
Weather in May
- Atlantic coast · Banjul, Kololi, Kotu, Kartongbest weather
Sunny, 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) and breezy from November to May; Harmattan haze some weeks; the rains hit July–September.Sunny, 77–86 °F (25–30 °C) and breezy from November to May; Harmattan haze some weeks; the rains hit July–September.
- Upriver · Tendaba, Janjanbureh, Bassehot
Much hotter than the coast: 40 °C (104 °F) in April–May; tracks turn to mud in the rains.Much hotter than the coast: 104 °F (40 °C) in April–May; tracks turn to mud in the rains.
- Banjul31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 1 rain days
- Bintang34 °C (93 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 1 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 1 rain days
- Brikama37 °C (99 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days99 °F (37 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Brufut33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Gunjur32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Janjanbureh37 °C (99 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days99 °F (37 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
- Juffureh33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
- Kunta Kinteh Island33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Serekunda35 °C (95 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 6 rain days
- Tanji33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
- Yundum34 °C (93 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Labour Day
1 May
Public holiday.
Tobaski (Eid al-Adha) big impact
May 2026 (lunar — check)
Heavy travel before; shops shut for days.
Africa Day
25 May
Public holiday.
Koriteh (Eid al-Fitr) check
Moves yearly; check · Banjul
A day or two of closures; busy transport and markets beforehand.
Labour Day and Africa Day
1 and 25 May · Banjul
Public holidays; Banjul itself stays fairly quiet.
Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) check
Moves yearly; check · Banjul
The country's biggest holiday: transport books out, sheep are sold everywhere, and many residents travel to family homes upcountry.
International Roots Festival
Usually around May, moves; check · Banjul
A biennial heritage festival tied to Kunta Kinteh Island and Juffureh, with events and performers also appearing in Banjul; confirm this year's dates and whether it is running.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · The Gambia
- Low
- Prices · The Gambia
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in The Gambia, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jan: Great
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 7
Jan: 2
May: Last dry month; Tabaski may fall here in 2026 (check).
January: Dry, sunny, 30 °C; peak for European winter-sun and birders.
The Gambia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen