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Western Africa

SenegalTravel guide

Explore Senegal visa rulesCommon scams in Senegal

Senegal is a country in West Africa, with Dakar as its capital. It offers diverse cultures, fishing, wildlife and a strong tradition of hospitality.

Why go

  1. Experience Senegal's many cultures and traditions.

  2. Visit Lac Rose, known for its pink colour.

  3. Explore national parks and wildlife reserves.

  4. Try fishing, one of the country's main attractions.

Best time to go: December to April is the dry season, with hot, dry winds. May to November is rainy, and getting around can be harder.

Getting there

By air

  • Blaise Diagne International Airport serves Dakar.
  • The older Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport also handles some flights to nearby countries.
  • The source lists flights from North America, Europe and other parts of Africa.

By land

  • Entering with your own car is possible but can be difficult. Permission for a short visit is not guaranteed, even if you agree to take the car out again.
  • The railway between Dakar and Bamako in Mali no longer operates. Trains run only within Dakar and its suburbs.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Dakar Dem Dikk runs buses in Dakar and nearby areas. Senegal Dem Dikk runs buses between Dakar and major towns. MoMove is a guide to more than 135 bus routes in Dakar, Saint-Louis, Thiès and Kaolack.

  • Car

    Car hire is available in Dakar city and at the airport. It is sometimes available in MBour and Saly Portudal. You need an International Driving Permit to drive in Senegal. Drive on the right. Many streets have few signs, and one-way streets may be unmarked. Heavy traffic in Dakar is best left to experienced drivers. The toll road near Dakar bypasses Rufisque and costs CFA400 for a regular car. Traffic through Rufisque can take up to two hours during busy periods.

  • Taxi and other local transport

    Options include taxis, shared taxis known as taxi-brousse, and local services called taxi-clando. Other options include carts called car-charettes and public transport vehicles called cars rapides.

What to see and do

  • Lac Rose

    This lake is known for its pink colour.

  • Parc National du Niokolo-Noba

    This is one of Senegal's major national parks and an internationally recognised reserve for nature.

  • Take a mini-safari at Fathala Reserve

    The reserve at Karang, just north of the Gambian border, offers three-hour visits throughout the year. You may see giraffes, rhinos, elands, antelopes and birds.

  • Go fishing

    Senegal is described as one of the world's best places to catch fish.

  • Explore Senegalese cooking

    Try local dishes in restaurants, or buy fresh ingredients at markets and supermarkets to cook yourself.

Food and drink

  • Ceebu jen

    Senegal's national dish combines rice and fish with red or white sauce. The diagga version adds extra sauce and fish balls.

  • Maafe

    A rich peanut sauce with meat, served over white rice.

  • Yassa

    An onion sauce often served with rice and chicken, called yassa poulet, or deep-fried fish, called yassa jen.

  • Western-style meals

    These are available in Dakar, Thies, Saint Louis and other towns. You can also find them near large hotels on the Petite Côte and in some other tourist areas.

  • Bottled water

    Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Kirene is a common brand bottled in Senegal.

  • Water in hot, dry areas

    Drink several litres of water daily when exploring Saint-Louis and Ferlo. Dehydration is also possible in Dakar during warmer months.

Money

West African CFA franc (XOF)

  • Prices may use CFA, the short name for the currency.
  • The currency has a fixed exchange rate of 655.957 CFA francs to one euro.
  • Coins range from 1 to 500 CFA francs. Banknotes range from 500 to 10,000 CFA francs.
  • Keep cash out of sight while bargaining. Some street vendors have grabbed money from shoppers' hands.

Typical costs

  • Toll road near Dakar: CFA400 for a regular car.
  • Three-hour mini-safari at Fathala Reserve: CFA10,000.
  • Bottled water and rehydration salts are described as inexpensive, but no prices are given.

Language

  • French is the official language and is useful for visitors.
  • Wolof is widely spoken, and basic greetings may help with service and prices.
  • Some merchants speak English, but most business uses French or Wolof.
  • Other languages include Sereer, Soninke, Pulaar, Jola and Mandinka.
Salaam Aleikum
Peace to you; a common Muslim greeting.
Waleikum Salaam
And unto you peace; the reply to Salaam Aleikum.

Staying safe

  • The source reports fighting in Casamance and advises avoiding the region. If you must go, first check the situation with your embassy.
  • Take care while walking in Dakar, where petty theft and scams are common.
  • Wear trousers or shorts with pockets that fasten securely. An untucked shirt can help cover them.
  • Be cautious of strangers who claim to know you or offer to guide you. Women are frequently targeted at beaches and markets.
5 common scams in Senegal, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Learn basic Wolof greetings to help with everyday interactions.
  • Expect hospitality; Senegalese people are described as friendly and welcoming.
  • During Ramadan, allow for shorter working hours and restaurant closures until dusk. Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, and its exact dates depend on local observations.

Don't

  • Do not eat or drink in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, even if you are not Muslim. This is considered very impolite.

Staying healthy

  • Get the necessary vaccinations before arrival. The source says yellow fever vaccination proof is required when arriving from a country in a yellow fever zone.
  • Take medicine to prevent malaria.
  • Avoid tap water and dishes prepared with it. Bottled water is widely available.
  • Be careful with roadside food, which may be prepared in unclean conditions.

Outdoor adventures in Senegal

Senegal offers wildlife watching, island boat trips and Atlantic beaches. Dakar has seabird spots and surfing at Plage du Virage, while Kédougou has forest scenery and Dindefelo Falls. Beach conditions vary, with big waves, pollution or swimming closures at some locations.

  • Fathala Reserve mini-safari

    Safarinear Karang

    3 hours Open all year

    Go to the reserve at Karang, just north of the Gambia border. Drive your own car or hire an off-road car at the reserve.

    • Cost: CFA 10,000; vehicle hire costs are not specified.

  • Niokolo-Koba National Park

    Wildlife

    Visit the national park. Transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Lake Retba (Lac Rose)

    More to doCap Vert-Thies

    Dry season, December–April, with bright sunshine for the strongest pink colour

    Visit the lake to see its pink water and watch traditional salt harvesting. Transport arrangements are not specified.

  • Îles de la Madeleine National Park

    WildlifeCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Take a canoe boat trip from Dakar to the islands off the peninsula.

    • Cost: About CFA 5,000 for the boat trip.
    • The crossing is on the open ocean in a canoe and can feel intimidating.

  • Les Almadies seabird watching

    WildlifeCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Head to Les Almadies at the western tip of the Dakar peninsula to look for seabirds.

  • Dindefelo Falls

    More to doTambacounda Regionnear Kédougou

    Visit the falls in the Kédougou area. Transport, walking routes and guide arrangements are not specified.

  • Île de Ngor

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    5-minute boat crossing

    Take a boat from Embarcadère Île de Ngor on the mainland to the island off northwest Dakar.

    • Cost: About CFA 500 for the boat ride.

  • Plage du Virage

    SurfingCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Head to Plage du Virage in Dakar. Surf lessons and equipment hire arrangements are not specified.

    • The beach is somewhat rocky.
    • It is better suited to surfing than swimming.

  • Plage des Mamelles

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Sunset for the views

    Head to the sandy beach below Phare des Mamelles lighthouse. Max's restaurant is beside it.

    • Watch out for big waves.

  • Plage de l'Anse Bernard

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Visit Plage de l'Anse Bernard in Dakar for a quiet beach stop and swimming.

  • Plage de la Voile d'Or

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Visit Plage de la Voile d'Or in Dakar for a beach stop and swimming.

  • Plage de la Pointe des Almadies

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Head to the northwest tip of the peninsula, just west of the US embassy and King Fahd Palace.

    • The beach is somewhat rocky.
    • Construction guards may ask for an access fee; this fee is not legitimate.

  • Plage BCEAO (Plage de Yoff)

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    Head to Yoff borough on the north side of Dakar to reach the beach.

    • Swimming is sometimes closed because of rubbish and sewage.
    • Drownings have occurred.

  • Gorée Island beach

    BeacheCap Vert-Thiesnear Dakar

    10–20-minute ferry crossing

    Take a ferry from the terminal north of Place de l'Indépendance in Dakar. Once on the island, walk to the beach.

    • Cost: CFA 5,000 for the ferry.

  • Plage Hydrobase

    BeacheNorthern Senegalnear Saint-Louis

    Head to the long beach along the Langue de Barbarie peninsula. Several Saint-Louis hotels are on or near it.

    • Plastic and other waste can be found in the sand.

  • Plage de Sal Sal

    BeacheNorthern Senegalnear Saint-Louis

    Travel north of Saint-Louis to the beach. If police ask where you are going, explain that you are visiting the beach.

    • The beach continues across the Mauritania border. Be careful not to go too far north.

Airports, metros and trains in Senegal

Airports with scheduled flights

  • DSSBlaise Diagne International AirportDakarMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
906 km
Electrified
55 km

People and safety in Senegal

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.

  • Muslim92%
  • Christian5%
  • Folk religions3%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows up to 10 years in prison.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #110 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

48% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 146 of 198 countries can visit Senegal easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required60
  • Visa on arrival86
  • Visa required52

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa49 of 53 countries
  • Oceania12 of 14 countries
  • Europe39 of 46 countries
  • Americas22 of 35 countries
  • Asia24 of 50 countries

Questions

When is the dry season?

The dry season runs from December to April, with hot, dry winds. The rainy season runs from May to November.

Will English be enough?

Some merchants speak English, but most business uses French or Wolof. Basic Wolof greetings can be useful.

What currency does Senegal use?

Senegal uses the West African CFA franc, with the currency code XOF. Prices may be written as CFA.

Can I travel between towns by bus?

Yes. Senegal Dem Dikk runs buses between Dakar and major towns across the country.

Is driving in Dakar easy for a first-time visitor?

Heavy traffic, few signs and unmarked one-way streets make driving difficult. The source recommends leaving busy areas such as Dakar to experienced drivers.

What local food should I try?

Try ceebu jen, the national dish of rice and fish. Other common dishes include peanut-based maafe and yassa with onion sauce.

Can I drink tap water?

Avoid tap water and food prepared with it. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive.

Where can I see wildlife?

Fathala Reserve offers three-hour mini-safaris throughout the year. Possible sightings include giraffes, rhinos, elands, antelopes and birds.

Should I carry identification?

Yes. Police sometimes stop vehicles to check papers, and the source recommends carrying a passport copy.

What changes during Ramadan?

Many restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are shorter. Visitors who are not Muslim should also avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours.

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