Senegal Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Senegal, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Senegal Information

Overview

Senegal is a country full of contradictions. Wide open to modernity and the outside world, Senegal, nevertheless, remains deeply rooted in its tradition based on Diom (honour), Teranga (hospitality), and respect for the elderly. From the great Leopold Sedar Senghor to Mariame BA, Senegal has produced some of the best African artists and still plays a key role in West Africa’s arts, culture and politics, despite its small size and population. Senegalese music, particularly the Mbalax, has become well known internationally over the last couple of decades thanks to artists like Youssou N’dour and Baba Maal, and Senegalese food is considered among the best in Africa.

The country gained independence from France in 1960. Ever since, it has been held up as one of Africa’s model democracies, with an established multi-party system and a tradition of civilian rule. Although Senegal is the most industrialised country in French West Africa after Côte d’Ivoire - poverty is still widespread, however, and unemployment high. The areas around the cities of Dakar and St Louis, colonised in the 1840s, were the earliest parts of the formal French empire in sub-Saharan Africa. Dakar, the capital of French West Africa from the early 1900s and the capital city of Senegal, is a bustling modern city and a major cruise-ship port with good restaurants and shops.

Tourism has been a growing industry in Senegal for well over a decade. In 2000, it was ranked as the country’s second largest industry after fishing and before groundnuts and phosphates. The sector has created economic growth particularly in the Petite Côte, Senegal’s principal tourist region where a resort originally built around a fishing village, Saly, has become an international tourist destination.

Senegal has a variety of first-rate natural assets that help make it an attractive destination: six national parks and four reserves, a variety of birds, some wildlife, and access to big game fishing and scuba diving. But it is the people, their music, culture and handicrafts that make Senegal what it is: a great, diverse and very colourful country.


Top Things To See

A visit to Dakar, a bustling modern city and major port situated at the tip of the Cap Vert peninsula, is recommended. The main museum is the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire (IFAN), which has a collection of masks, statues and musical instruments from West Africa. The Galerie Nationale is also worth a visit. The Palais Présidentiel (Presidential Palace) is a white building surrounded by luscious gardens. Visit Dakar’s bustling markets. They include the Kermel and the Sandaga, the former selling mainly fruit, fabrics, clothing and souvenirs, the latter being the city’s main fruit and fabrics market. A quite recent addition to the city is the monument La Porte du 3ème Millénaire (the 3rd Millennium Gate), which was assembled in order to symbolise Senegal’s entry into the third millennium, completed in 2001. The Grande Mosquée, the city’s most famous mosque (noted for its minaret, which is lit at night), is closed to the public and located in Médina, which is off the tourist map.

Head out to the Soumbedioune Craft Village by the ocean, on the Corniche Ouest just outside of the city, where intricate hand-woven fabrics, precious gold and silver jewellery, unique glass and sand painting, traditional basketry, leather work and pottery, wood carving and batik are on display.

Head for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Île de Gorée (Gorée Island) just 3km (1.8 miles) outside of the city. It used to be a slaving station and was one of the first French settlements on the continent. The island has many colonial-style houses, a small beach and several museums - the Maison des Esclaves (Slaves’ House), the Historical Museum in the Fort d’Estrées, the Musée de la Mer (everything concerning the sea, fishes and fishing) and the Musée de la Femme, which is all about Senegalese women.

Go to the fishing village of Cayar and make sure you’re there by the afternoon, in time for the spectacular return of the local fishermen from the high sea where they have spent the night. They bring tons of fish, shrimp, and lobsters in their brightly-coloured dugout canoes, and the beach is alive with buyers, families, and children. It is a colourful spectacle not to be missed.

Travel the 30km (18 miles) north of Dakar to the Retba Lake (also called the Lac Rose or Pink Lake due to its pink colouring), a popular spot for picnics and weekend excursions. It is also the terminal for the Paris-Dakar motor rally.

Further north along the coast is St Louis, a former slave settlement and once Senegal’s capital. The city is partly located on the mainland, partly on an island and partly on the Langue de Barbarie peninsula at the mouth of the River Senegal. It retains a nostalgic and provincial atmosphere reflected in its narrow streets flanked by beautiful colonial houses, balconies and verandas. The island can be reached via the Pont Faidherbe. There are some good beaches.

Enjoy the Petite Côte (Little Coast) south of Dakar, which stretches for some 150km (94 miles) and is one of Senegal’s best beach areas. The main tourist resorts in the area are Mbour and, slightly further north, Saly Portudal, which is set in a green park and has the highest concentration of luxury hotels as well as its own golf course.

Visit the ruins of the old Breton church and the colonial settlement on the island of Karaban. However, travellers are currently advised to avoid this region while political instability continues.

Explore Eastern Senegal, one of the best-kept secrets of the country, and visit the Bedik, Bassari, and Tenda people of the Kedougou area with their villages situated in the middle of breathtaking landscapes.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

Explore the Siné-Saloum delta where the Saloum and Siné rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. This is a wild region of mangrove swamps, dunes and lagoons. Located largely within the Parc National du Delta du Saloum, the delta’s myriad small islands are scattered between so-called bolongs (channels). Go on a trip in a pirogue (traditional African boat) out to the islands: some of the most beautiful include Betani, Guior, Guissanor, the Île de Mars, Palmarin and Saloum. The palm-fringed sandy beaches along the coast give way to dense vegetation populated by small villages of fishermen and groundnut farmers.

Explore Senegal’s national parks. The best time for visiting is usually between October and April. Accommodation is available, mostly in the form of campments or lodges. The only place to see large mammals in Senegal is the inland Parc National de Niokolo Koba, although some species, such as elephants, are now extremely rare. The park stretches over two geographical areas: the Sudanese savannah and the Guinea forest. Over 84 species live here, including Africa’s largest lions, elephants, panthers, crocodiles and a variety of antelopes. Birdwatchers have more to be excited about. The parks and nature reserves in the coastal regions are renowned bird sanctuaries. Parc National des Oiseaux de Djoudj in the northeast, 60km (37 miles) from St Louis, at the southern edge of the Sahara, has 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of water stretches and is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. It is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Parc National de Basse Casamance can be found in the very rainy extreme south of the country, and it benefits from the luxuriance of the Guinea forest with its kapok trees, oil palms and imposing parinarias. Basse Casamance is famous for its tropical vegetation and variety of wildlife, including the Derry Eland and Buffoon Cob antelope, as well as many species of monkey. The Parc National Langue de Barbarie, a narrow strip of sandy lands between the Atlantic and the River Senegal, is a refuge for birds and sea tortoises who come here to breed. Boat trips from St Louis are available. Parc National du Delta du Saloum is characterised by small islands, sand dunes and swamps providing a perfect habitat for hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, storks and pink flamingoes. Finally, the Parc National de l’Île de la Madeleine is a a protected marine park on a small archipelago west of Dakar, 3km (1.7 miles) from the coast.

In addition to the national parks, Senegal boasts the following natural reserves: Bandia (900 hectares/2,224 acres); Ferlo Nord (a huge 487,000 hectares/1,203,403 acres); Guembuel (special fauna extending over 720 hectares/1,779 acres); Kalissaye (an ornithological reserve created in 1987 and 16 hectares/40 acres in size); Ndiael (a fauna reserve); and Popenguine (extending over 1,009 hectares/2,493 acres).

See a play at The Daniel Sorano National Theatre in the Boulevard de la République in Dakar, a popular venue for theatre, concerts and other arts performances. There are many cinemas showing the latest French films.

Go on a cruise up the River Senegal and explore the interior of the country. Some of these cruises last for a week or more.

There are plenty of good beaches, but swimming can be hazardous in some places. Dakar’s main beaches include the Plage Bel-Air and the cleaner and safer N’Gor and Yoff. Other good beaches in the area are Toubab Dialao and Yenn, which are well known for their spectacular red cliffs. Good areas for swimming include Casamance, Hann Bay, N’Gor Beach and Petite Côte.

Underwater enthusiasts will find good diving waters all around the Cap Vert Peninsula, with February to April being the best months.

Waterskiing facilities are available at Dakar alongside the Children’s Beach on the lagoon between N’Gor and its island and at the Hanns Bay marinas. Windsurfing is possible, and both coastal and river kayak trips can be arranged.

West Africa has a strong musical tradition, and Dakar is the best place to sample Senegal’s vibrant music scene. Check out one of the numerous clubs and live venues. Villages also frequently put on musical performances for tourists.

Try your luck with a rod and bait. From May through November, Senegal offers excellent sports fishing. Organised trips are available from fishing centres and hotels along the coast.

The Senegalese are keen followers of traditional Senegalese wrestling. Join them and watch the matches every Sunday at the Fass arena and in the suburbs or at the Iba Mar Diop Stadium near the Great Mosque.

Join an ecotourism programme in Basse Casamance. Travellers are advised to avoid this region while there is still a danger of political instability, but some villages offer traditional accommodation and activities for tourists in a programme that allows the villagers to use the income generated for development projects. This fertile, swampy region borders The Gambia in the north and Guinea-Bissau in the south and is well known for its traditional mud houses (also called impluvium), the most striking examples of which can be found in Affinam (on the north bank of the Casamance River) and Enampor.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Senegalese food is considered among the best in Africa. The basis of many dishes is chicken or fish, but the distinctive taste is due to ingredients not found outside Africa. This food is served in many restaurants in Dakar. Provincial rest houses serve less sophisticated but delicious variations. There are bars in some hotels and clubs. Although Senegal is predominantly a Muslim country, alcohol is available.

National specialities:
• Chicken au yassa (chicken with lemon, pimento and onions).
• Tiebou dienne (rice and fish).
• Maffe (chicken or mutton in peanut sauce).
• Dem à la St Louis (stuffed mullet).
• Accras (a kind of fritter).

National drinks:
• Toufam (a kind of yoghurt thinned with sugared water).
• Mint tea, the first cup drunk slightly bitter, the second with more sugar and the third very sweet.
• Palm wine, which is drunk either fresh or fermented.
• Home-roasted coffee with pimento.

Tipping: A service charge of 10 to 15% is included in all hotel and restaurant bills.

Nightlife

There are several nightclubs and music venues in Dakar, playing mbalakh (the local modern music), as well as a casino on the route to N’Gor. There are many cinemas showing the latest French films. The Daniel Sorano National Theatre in the Boulevard de la Republique is a popular venue for theatre, concerts and other arts performances.

Shopping

Visitors to Senegal must go to some of the many colourful markets. They are abundant with a range of bargins from food to handmade crafts and electronics. Most markets and centres sell traditional fabric, embroidery and costume, pottery, necklaces of clay beads and costume jewellery of wood or various seeds. At Soumbe-dionne, on the Corniche de Fann, is a craft village where the visitor can watch craftspeople at work and buy their handicrafts. Purchases include woodcarving in the form of African gaming boards, masks and statues; musical instruments; and metalwork, including copper pendants, bowls and statuettes.

Shopping hours: Generally Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1530-1930. Some shops open Sunday morning, others are closed Monday.


Climate

Senegal is favoured by a warm climate. The dry season runs from December through to May with cool trade winds in coastal areas. Throughout the rest of the year, a hot monsoon wind blows from the south bringing the rainy season and hot, humid weather. Rainfall is heaviest in Casamance and in the southeast and slight in the Sahelian region in the north and northeast, where temperatures tend to be higher.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
10 Jan Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).
19 Jan Tamkharit (Ashoura).
20 Mar Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
4 Apr Independence Day. 
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension. 
12 May Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
2 Oct Korité (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints’ Day. 
9 Dec Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day. 
29 Dec Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
10 Jan Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).
19 Jan Tamkharit (Ashoura).
9 Mar Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday.
4 Apr Independence Day. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Ascension. 
1 Jun Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
21 Sep Korité (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints’ Day. 
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day. 
29 Dec Tamkarit (Islamic New Year).

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Yes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: Yes

Health Care

In Dakar, doctors are plentiful and most medicines are available. Up-country, however, facilities are minimal. Health insurance is essential.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of XOF500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.

Senegal is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express is the most widely accepted, although Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa have limited use. Commissions are added for the use of credit cards. There are ATMs in Dakar.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller’s cheques are easy to cash in Dakar. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take them in Euros.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1430-1600.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months after date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months except the following:
1. nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Applications from nationals of the following countries must be referred to the authorities in Dakar and will therefore take longer (up to 21 days): Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovak Republic.

A WHO vaccination card, with current yellow fever and cholera vaccinations, may be required if national is travelling from an endemic area.

Types of Visa and Cost

Entry: £3.15 (up to 15 days); £7.35 (15 to 30 days); £10.50 (up to 90 days). Cheques are not accepted.

Validity

Three months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. The visa section at the Embassy of Senegal in London is open 1000-1330 for lodging and 1300-1500 for collection.

Working Days Required

At least three. Nationals who must submit their applications to the authorities in Dakar prior to travel should submit their visa applications at least 21 days before the intended date of departure.


Contact Addresses

Ministre du Tourisme (Ministry of Tourism)

23 rue Calmette, BP 4049, Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 822 9226.
Website: www.tourisme-senegal.com

Embassy of the Republic of Senegal in the UK

39 Marloes Road, London W8 6LA, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 7237 or 7938 4048.
Website: www.senegalembassy.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1330 (visa applications).

Embassy of the Republic of Senegal in the USA

2112 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 234 0540/1.
Website: www.senegalembassy-us.org

Bureau Sngalais du Tourisme (Senegal Tourist Office) in the USA

350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3118, New York, NY 10118, USA
Tel: (212) 279 1953.
Website: www.senegal-tourism.com


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

The organisers of the Paris-Dakar Rally 2008 have cancelled this year’s event due to security concerns.

The Casamance region of south-western Senegal remains affected by incidents involving presumed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry. Travellers are advised against road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than on the N4 national highway, for which visitors are advised against all but essential road travel, and on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring, which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours. 

Pick pocketing and street crime is common in parts of Dakar. Travellers should take sensible precautions and avoid carrying valuables in public.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.