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Gambia Entry Requirements for Kenyan Passport Holders

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Kenyans need an entry clearance for The Gambia

In August 2026 this page said The Gambia admits all African Union nationals without a visa, citing Wikipedia. The Gambia Immigration Department's own list puts Kenya among countries needing entry clearance. Corrected 23 October 2026.

Last checked October 2026 — rules on this route can change at short notice, so confirm with your airline and the destination's immigration authority before you book or fly.

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Free
Visa Fee (~$20)
Processing Time – working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 90 days

The Gambia — beaches, the River Gambia's birdlife and an easy English-speaking introduction to West Africa. Kenyans need no visa, but they do need an entry clearance that their Gambian host obtains from the Immigration Department before travel, and every passenger pays a USD 20 Securiport fee each way.

Key Warnings

  • Do not fly without the entry clearance. The Gambia Immigration Department lists Kenya as needing clearance — older pages saying all Africans enter freely are wrong.
  • Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY — have it ready at check-in and immigration. Airlines will not board you without it.
  • Malaria is endemic — take prophylaxis and use DEET repellent throughout your stay.

Insider Tips

  • Gambia has one of Africa's best bird-watching environments — over 560 species recorded in a country smaller than Yorkshire. Abuko Nature Reserve (20 min from Banjul) is excellent even for casual bird lovers. Birding guides available in Kartong.
  • The River Gambia is a major attraction — a river taxi or pirogue journey upstream passes villages, mangrove forests, and hippo pods. Janjanbureh (Georgetown) is a riverside island with fascinating colonial and slave trade history.
  • The Smiling Coast is famous among British tourists for beach resorts — Kololi Beach and Bijilo Beach (near the main tourist strip) have calm Atlantic waters, affordable beach restaurants, and abundant fresh seafood.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Ask your host to apply for entry clearance

    The host in The Gambia applies to the Gambia Immigration Department. Approved clearance is valid for 30 days for entry, and the host presents the original on or before your arrival — travel with a copy.

  2. Carry the original yellow fever certificate

    At least 10 days old. It is checked on arrival.

  3. Budget for the Securiport fee

    D1,000, about USD 20, paid on arrival and again on departure. Biometrics (fingerprints and iris) are taken at immigration.

  4. Fly to Banjul

    There are no direct flights from Nairobi; connections run via Lagos, Dakar, Accra or Europe.

Required Documents

  • Valid Kenyan passport (6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages)
  • Copy of the approved entry clearance (host presents the original)
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate — MANDATORY (Gambia endemic + Kenya risk zones)
  • Confirmed return flight to Kenya
  • Hotel booking or host contact in Gambia
  • About USD 20 (D1,000) for the Securiport fee on arrival, and again on departure

Recommended (Optional)

  • Proof of funds (card or cash)

Health Requirements

⚠️ Yellow Fever Certificate required. Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY for entry to Gambia. Gambia is endemic and also requires the certificate from travellers coming from Kenya (which has risk zones). Airlines will check at boarding. Obtain from a Kenya Ministry of Health-approved centre. Certificate must be at least 10 days old.

No visa application is made on this route. The entry clearance can still be refused, and entry can be declined at the border.

Latest Updates

2026-10

Correction: Kenyans need entry clearance for The Gambia

The Gambia Immigration Department's visa page lists Kenya under countries that need only clearance. Clearance is approved before travel, valid 30 days for entry, and presented by the host. All passengers also pay a D1,000 (about USD 20) Securiport fee on arrival and departure. This page's August 2026 'visa-free for all AU members' status came from Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Kenyans need a visa for Gambia?
No visa, but an entry clearance. The Gambia Immigration Department lists Kenya among countries that need only clearance: your Gambian host applies, the approval is valid 30 days for entry, and the host presents the original on arrival. Every passenger also pays a USD 20 Securiport fee.

Data Sources & Verification

Last verified:

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