Description
Winter sun is the big draw for UK visitors to The Gambia, with direct holiday flights to resorts along the Atlantic coast at Kololi, Kotu and Cape Point. Birdwatchers head up the river, and many people of Gambian heritage in the UK travel back for family visits, weddings and naming ceremonies.
A travel eSIM means you can message home and share your location from the airport onwards. It sits alongside your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone, and the eSIM gives you mobile data for WhatsApp, maps and booking trips during your stay.
Choose your Gambia data plan
There are 4 plans for Gambia. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £7.12 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £13.50 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £19.50 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £33.00 |
- Week at a coastal resort: 1GB for 7 days covers messaging and maps beyond the hotel Wi-Fi.
- Fortnight in the sun: 2GB for 15 days suits regular photo sharing and calls home.
- Month with family: 3GB or 5GB for 30 days, with 5GB the better fit for frequent video calls.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Gambia.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in The Gambia
Flights arrive at Banjul International Airport at Yundum, around half an hour’s drive from the main resort strip. Data is useful for arranging taxis, keeping in touch with family across the Kombos, and following directions to markets, beaches and nature reserves such as Abuko.
Coverage is generally good in the coastal towns and resort areas. Further up the river, around Janjanbureh and on boat trips through the mangroves, signal can be patchy. Download maps before a trip upcountry, and expect occasional power cuts in some areas.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Gambia and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- The Gambia only: the country is almost surrounded by Senegal, and this plan does not cover it. If you are crossing into Senegal or travelling on to Dakar or Casamance, ask us about a Senegal plan.
- Near the border: close to the Senegal border your phone may pick up Senegalese signal, which this plan does not cover.
Questions
Will I have signal on a river trip?
Near the towns you usually will, but on long stretches of the river and in the mangroves coverage can drop out.
Can I use it to stay in touch with family in Serekunda and Brikama?
Yes. Both are in the busy coastal area, which usually has signal for WhatsApp calls and messages.
When should I buy my Gambia eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
