Senegal
Senegal makes a rewarding introduction to West Africa: Dakar's live music and seafood grills, Gorée island's sobering slave-trade memorial, Saint-Louis's faded colonial streets on the Senegal River and the mangrove creeks of the Sine-Saloum Delta. In the dry season, Casamance's beaches and the pelicans of Djoudj add enough for a two-week trip.
Overview
Senegal wraps around The Gambia on Africa's westernmost bulge, from the Sahel fringe in the north to the green, rice-growing Casamance in the south. Dakar sits on the Cap-Vert peninsula, and nearby Pointe des Almadies is the westernmost point of mainland Africa. A typical first trip spends a few days in Dakar with a ferry to Gorée, heads north to Saint-Louis and the Djoudj bird sanctuary, then swings south along the Petite Côte to the Sine-Saloum Delta. With more time, take the overnight ferry or a short flight to Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring in Casamance.
Senegalese hospitality, teranga, is a point of national pride, and long greetings and glasses of sweet ataya tea set the pace. Costs surprise many visitors: Dakar is pricey for hotels and imported goods, though street food and shared taxis are cheap. Away from the Petite Côte resorts, tourists are few. It suits music lovers, birdwatchers and travellers wanting West Africa with decent roads and transport. Many are struck by the influence of Sufi brotherhoods such as the Mourides, and by the big-money wrestling (laamb) bouts that fill stadiums.
Map of Senegal
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Île de Gorée
A car-free island 20 minutes by ferry from Dakar, with ochre colonial houses and bougainvillea; the House of Slaves and its Door of No Return are a powerful memorial, though historians debate Gorée's scale in the trade.
- 2Architecture
Saint-Louis
The former colonial capital spreads across a narrow island in the Senegal River, reached by the iron Faidherbe Bridge; explore its UNESCO-listed balconied houses, the Guet Ndar fishing quarter and, nearby, Djoudj's pelicans and flamingos.
- 3Nature
Sine-Saloum Delta
A UNESCO-listed maze of mangrove channels, shell-mound islands and fishing villages; explore by pirogue from Toubacouta or Ndangane, watching for herons, pelicans and kingfishers, and stay in an eco-lodge.
- 4Nature
Lac Rose (Lake Retba)
A shallow lagoon about 35 km north-east of Dakar whose high salinity and algae can turn it strawberry pink, most vividly in the dry season; salt collectors still work the water by hand.
- 5Beach
Cap Skirring and Casamance
Long, palm-backed Atlantic beaches at the south-western tip, with Jola villages, Enampor's round impluvium house, Mlomp's two-storey mud houses and river trips from Ziguinchor; greener and quieter than the north.
Biggest cities
Dakar
A sprawling Atlantic capital of markets, surf breaks and live mbalax; see the African Renaissance Monument, the IFAN museum and Soumbédioune's fish market at sunset.
Touba
Holy city of the Mouride brotherhood, built around a vast Great Mosque; alcohol and tobacco are banned within the city, modest dress is expected, and a local guide helps.
Thiès
A railway and market town about 70 km east of Dakar, best known for its tapestry workshops; mainly a transport hub on the way inland.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Senegal
Best time: Nov–Feb.
Average climate in Dakar
Festivals & events
- Jan, DecAbéné Festivalo
Several days of Jola drumming, dance and wrestling in the Casamance village of Abéné over New Year, drawing percussionists from across West Africa and Europe.
- May–JunSaint-Louis Jazz Festival
Running since 1993, this festival brings African and international jazz acts to Saint-Louis's squares and stages, usually in late May or early June.
- Jul–AugGrand Magal of Touba
The Mouride pilgrimage marking Cheikh Amadou Bamba's exile draws millions to Touba; it follows the Islamic calendar, currently falling in midsummer and moving about 11 days earlier each year.
How much does Senegal cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Thieboudienne
Ceebu jën: fish stuffed with parsley, garlic and chilli, cooked with broken rice, tomato, cassava, carrot and cabbage; UNESCO-listed and best at lunchtime.
Yassa
Chicken or fish marinated in lemon juice and mountains of onion, then slow-cooked into a tangy, mustardy sauce over rice; originally from Casamance.
Mafé
Rich groundnut stew with beef, lamb or chicken and root vegetables, reflecting Senegal's long history as a peanut-growing nation.
Getting around
Sept-place taxis, old estate cars carrying seven passengers, leave from gares routières when full and cover most routes; pay for an extra seat for comfort. Dakar has the TER commuter train, a BRT bus line and ride-hailing apps such as Yango and Heetch. A ferry links Dakar with Ziguinchor a few times a week, domestic flights serve Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring, and frequent boats cross to Gorée.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDEK230V — bring a UK-to-C/D/E/K adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 15
- Fire: 18
- Police: 17
- Call 123 for the military police, who may be more responsive if you are in the countryside.
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +221
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory; leave about 10% in tourist restaurants, round up for guides and drivers, and agree taxi fares before getting in.
- Etiquette
- Greet everyone before business with 'salaam aleekum' and ask after their family. Use your right hand to eat and give, dress modestly away from beaches, and respect Touba's alcohol and tobacco ban.
- Main airports
- Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), Dakar
Visas & entry for Senegal
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Senegal without a visa for up to 3 months.
You need to show border officials evidence of return or onward travel and proof of your arranged accommodation. If you do not have these, you may be refused entry.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Senegal: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Senegal
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sun 4 Apr 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (observed, estimated) · Pentecost Monday (date may shift) |
| Tue 15 Jun 2027 | Ashura (date may shift) |
| Thu 22 Jul 2027 | Grand Magal of Touba (date may shift) |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Wolof
| English | Wolof | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Salaam aleekum | sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | Jërëjëf | jeh-reh-JEFF |
| Please | Su la neexee | soo la NEH-kheh |
| Excuse me | Baal ma | BAAL ma |
| How much is this? | Ñaata la? | NYAH-ta la |
Know before you go
- Blaise Diagne airport is around 45 km from central Dakar; allow at least an hour by taxi, and considerably more in rush-hour traffic.
- Taxis have no meters: agree the fare before getting in and expect to haggle; checking the price on a ride-hailing app first gives you a fair starting point.
- Mobile money services such as Wave and Orange Money are everywhere, but carry cash: ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas and Casamance villages.
Senegal travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Senegal?
The best time to visit Senegal is generally Nov–Feb. Peak months are January, February, November and December. Average highs in Dakar range from 25°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Senegal cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £85 mid-range and £180+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Senegal?
West African CFA franc (XOF).
What plug type does Senegal use?
Type C, D, E and K sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Senegal?
Traffic drives on the right in Senegal, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Senegal?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Senegal?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Senegal without a visa for up to 3 months. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Senegal before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/senegal/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Senegal?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
