Travel to Senegal

Senegal at a glance

Why visit Senegal

The edge of Africa, with music, history and big skies

If you want to travel to Senegal for a first taste of West Africa, the country is compact, the Atlantic coast is on your doorstep and one language, Wolof, is shared by roughly four in five people.

Places to see

Dakar, Goree, Saint-Louis, the south coast and Casamance

Most first trips link Dakar with one or two regions, plus a beach stay. Roads are the slow part, so pick your bases carefully.

Dakar and Goree Island

The Soumbedioune and Kermel markets in Dakar are the places to browse local craft, and Ngor island is another stop near the capital. Goree, reached by ferry from Dakar, holds the Slave House, a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade. France took control of the island in 1677, and a guided visit is recommended to understand the site.

Saint-Louis and the north

Saint-Louis was the capital of Senegal and of French West Africa. Its island city on the Senegal River is UNESCO listed for its colonial architecture, and the Faidherbe Bridge, opened in 1897, links it to the mainland. North of the city, the Djoudj sanctuary is a stop for birdwatchers.

South of Dakar: Petite Cote and the Saloum Delta

Saly, Mbour and Nianing form the resort strip known as the Petite Cote, where watersports, golf and surfing are on offer. Further south, the Saloum Delta National Park, created in 1976, is a maze of mangroves and islets, and the shell islands of Joal-Fadiouth are close by. The pilgrimage city of Touba, home to the Mouride brotherhood, has strict rules on alcohol and smoking.

Niokolo-Koba and Casamance

Tambacounda is the gateway to Niokolo-Koba, where game viewing is best in the early morning and evening, and the Fathala Reserve offers a roughly three-hour mini-safari. In green Casamance, Ziguinchor is the regional capital, and Cap Skirring has some of the country's quietest beaches along coconut palms, with a golf course nearby.

Food and culture

Thieboudienne, yassa and the hospitality of teranga

Thieboudienne, "the rice of fish", is the national dish: fish marinated with parsley, lemon, garlic and onion, cooked with tomato and vegetables, with rice added at the end so it takes on a reddish colour. Yassa pairs chicken or fish with onion and lemon, maafe is a tomato and peanut stew, and dibi is Senegalese barbecue, usually grilled lamb. Thiakry, a millet dessert with yogurt, and bissap, a purple-red hibiscus drink, round out a meal. Dishes are often shared from a single bowl, which reflects teranga, the Senegalese idea of hospitality. Music is part of everyday life, from mbalax to sabar drumming, and Dakar hosts a contemporary art biennale.

Getting around

Shared sept-places cars, Dakar's TER and the Ziguinchor ferry

The workhorse between cities is the sept-place, a shared seven-seat car that leaves once full. Agree the price first, since tourists are often overcharged, and consider paying for two seats for extra comfort. In Dakar there are city buses, and a commuter train, the TER, has linked the city with Diamniadio since December 2021.

For Casamance, flights and a ferry of about 18 hours run from Dakar to Ziguinchor, though ferry tickets sell out. Self-driving needs an international driving permit and patience: road signs are scarce and traffic jams near Dakar can last up to two hours. Night driving is not recommended.

Before you go

When to go and what to know

Region	Climate	Best time
Dakar and the coast	Highs around 30 °C in the rainy months, about 25 °C from December to February; about 600 mm of rain a year	November to April
Saint-Louis and the north	Dry and hot, with the harmattan wind from December to April	November to February
Petite Cote and Saloum	Warm all year, rains from June to October	November to May
Casamance and Cap Skirring	Tropical, highs near 31 °C, heavy rain from July to September, almost none from December to May	December to May

Entry rules depend on your nationality, so check the official requirements before you book. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from an at-risk area, and malaria precautions and bottled water are usually advised. Read your government's official travel advice before booking. Senegal uses the CFA franc, which is pegged to the euro; ATMs are scarce outside the big cities, so carry cash.

Flying to Senegal

Senegalese airports covered by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Senegal