Yes all the shampoo etc will need to be in her hold luggage.  Not sure about the food thing, but I do think the restrictions mainly apply to fresh produce.  Is it a school / college trip?  If it is they might be able to help you out with that.

Yes it's with college, there's nothing about food in the info pack, thanks for the info re the shampoo etc 

I always send mine off with the likes of sweets crisps, cuppa soups and pot noodles not good food but it keeps them going....

Aimee, I found this link http://gambia.visahq.com/customs/

cheers for that yogi 

Thats the sort of things she wants as well  cereal bars etc

She will probably be able to get crisps and biscuits etc in the Gambia, if she's in a resort there will be shops. I went about 10 years ago, we went for a walk one day and discovered a mini mart, we ended up having a feast in our hotel room that day.

I was in Gambia at New Year in 80/81.

There was a piper and everything but we couldn't move for sunburn 

Scorchio  

Oh she will be happy to hear that  did you find it a safe place to be?

I'm so nervous about her going but you have to let go of the apron strings some time 

It will hit you hard as you are very close ,but like you say you have to let her fly

She's going to have a good time Aimee 

Try not to worry and make sure you pack the SPF 15 

I totally understand that Aimee, dont worry we will all be here for you . She is a smart cookie and i am sure she will be fine   Says me, when son only went to Amsterdam i was vomiting ! Wonderful experience for her x

I will try but i know i won't  she's never even flown before (except when she was a baby) i start a college course while she's away so that will take my mind off her  she's fair so i will be getting her alot of sun cream  how safe did you find it when you was there?

I did say no at first and refused too pay for it  but her grandad on her dad's side talked me round and he paid for it and she stood there crying saying i can't go cause my mum doesn't want me to  so i gave in  i know it will be a great experience but it's so scary knowing she's going so far away and the dangers involved, the amount of injections she has had to have don't help me not worrying and the cost of them is shocking

I've seen pics of aimee - I'd say factor 20 at the very least!

We generally stayed round the hotel and the beach Aims.

The people were friendly although the beach had the hawkers who you could banter with without buying.

If I was in a position to go back for some winter sun I would 

I know but they are going in a group arent they? At least that should make you feel better, hopefully! xx

will do  i'm off to buy her more stuff next week

Thanks for that 

yes she's with college but she's only been there since Sept so i don't really know them like i did the school she went to, she also has some free time when not teaching the children sport to wander about 

I did, Aimee. It's a lovely place with very friendly locals. Obviously you still have to have your wits about you (and watch out for the 'bumsters' - the unemployed local lads who chat you up in the hope they'll get money ) but I felt safe during my time there.

She should listen to any advice the tour guide has. She'll be fine, I loved Gambia. The worst bit was the jabs and malaria tablets!

She wont wander too far, and i am sure you will tell her, same as you do with her going anywhere. Need to get off now, we can chat later. Dont worry too much xxx

One thing I would do if I went back, would be to take pens and pads of paper for the schoolchildren. And a few sweets too perhaps. Visiting a Gambian school and village was one of the best days I've ever had on holiday.

They have told her to dye her hair as she has bleached blonde hair as she could be a target  she is a very sensible girl (don't know where she got that from)  but you do worry  i'll be grey before i'm 40 at this rate  thanks for your advice and i will pass it onto her 

That's what she is there to do, teach sport in the local schools  can she take sweets etc with her then?

Most airlines allow you to take a 100ml bottle of things like shampoo, liquid soap, mouthwash etc., in your hand luggage. but the bulk of the stuff will have to go in the hold luggage.

Best for her to get in touch with the Gambia embassy to find out. The internet may help.

it was personal views i was after but thanks for your input 

After watching Customs Australia etc on the TV i see so many folk being stopped for trying to import various foods/products etc; into their countries i thought it would be better safe than sorry to find out beforehand just what is allowed.

Ooh I'm not too sure actually, all these new airport rules came in after I went there.....I wouldn't think a couple of bags of sweets in a suitcase would break rules would they? Maybe best to check though.

If she's ok with dying her hair darker, then it might be a good idea, blonde girls do get attention........I went with a blonde friend and we got approached quite a bit. On one occasion we wanted to just walk along the beach by ourselves, and pretended we couldn't speak English so the guys left us alone, lol.

But we had loads of fun, there was a little nightclub we went to on an official excursion and it was brilliant!

I found a page that has FAQ's on it, might be of some interest:

http://www.gambia.co.uk/Docs/T...fore-You-Go/FAQ.aspx

thats why i was asking after watching those programmes 

OK Scary ain't it.

I'd get sunblock as well, the sun is incredibly hot out there. I got sunburn one day when it was cloudy.

I wont be much help Aimee but I thought it was more about taking and bringing plants in and out of a  country,never realised it was also food..she is very lucky going on this holiday, hope she has a lovely time and try not to worry to much about her ..she will be fine

I remember my friend asking me to bring back some bacon and sausages to Turkey. Then I realised i was smuggling You would have thought I was carrying a kilo of cocaine internally, I was so nervous

I should think dry foods are ok, if they are sealed. If shes a kid, they cant be too hard on her if shes found. worst that will happen is they will confiscate them, i would think?

thank you marge  you worry about your babies whatever their age 

i think i watch too many of those Airport programmes  they even stop you for having sweets, whatever the age  i'll check with the college before she goes, i just wondered if anyone from here had any first hand knowledge