Senegal travel guide
Senegal sits on the westernmost bulge of Africa, with a long Atlantic coast, river deltas, savannah and a lively music and food culture. Dakar is one of West Africa's most dynamic cities, and colonial-era Saint-Louis, Gorée Island and the mangroves of the Sine-Saloum are all within reach. Senegal is known for teranga, a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality.
Places worth the trip
Dakar
A sprawling capital on the Cap-Vert peninsula with markets, beaches, music venues and the bronze African Renaissance Monument on a hill above the sea. The Musée des Civilisations Noires and the Théodore Monod Museum of African Art cover the region's cultures.
Gorée Island
A short ferry ride from Dakar, this car-free island of colourful colonial houses is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade. The House of Slaves is its best-known site.
Saint-Louis
The former colonial capital on an island in the Senegal River, reached by the iron Faidherbe Bridge. Its UNESCO-listed old town has colonial architecture and a well-known jazz festival, and the fishing quarter of Guet Ndar is on the spit of land beyond.
Lac Rose (Lake Retba)
A shallow lake north-east of Dakar whose water can appear pink because of salt-loving algae, particularly in the dry season. Salt collectors work in the lake, harvesting by hand.
Sine-Saloum Delta
A UNESCO-listed maze of mangroves, channels and islands south of Dakar, explored by pirogue (wooden boat), with birdlife, fishing villages and shell middens.
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
Wetlands in the Senegal River delta north of Saint-Louis that are a major stopover for migratory birds, including pelicans and flamingos, best seen between November and April.
Petite Côte and Joal-Fadiouth
The beaches south of Dakar, including Saly and Somone. Fadiouth is an island made largely of shells, connected to Joal by a long wooden footbridge, with a shared Christian and Muslim cemetery.
Casamance
The green south, separated from the north by The Gambia, with rice paddies, forests, Jola villages and the beaches of Cap Skirring. Check current travel advice for the region before you plan a visit.
Interesting facts about Senegal
- Cap-Vert, the peninsula on which Dakar stands, is the westernmost point of mainland Africa.
- Senegal's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, was also a celebrated poet and later became a member of the Académie française.
- Ceebu jën, a dish of fish, rice and vegetables, is recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.
- Lac Rose was for many years the finishing point of the Paris–Dakar rally.
- Wolof is spoken by most of the population as a first or second language, although French is the official language.
Best time to visit Senegal
The dry season, from about November to May, is the best time to visit, with sunshine and pleasant temperatures on the coast; inland it becomes very hot from March. December to February is the coolest time, and the Harmattan can bring hazy, dusty skies. The rainy season, roughly June to October, brings heat, humidity and storms, especially in Casamance, and some rural roads become difficult.
Getting around
Dakar has a regional express train (TER) linking the city with the area around the new town of Diamniadio, and the city's Bus Rapid Transit line. Taxis are plentiful; agree the fare before getting in, or use a ride-hailing app. Between towns, sept-place shared taxis and minibuses leave when full. Ferries sail from Dakar to Gorée and, less frequently, to Ziguinchor in Casamance. Many visitors hire a car with a driver for trips beyond Dakar.
Practical details
- Capital
- Dakar
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Languages
- French
- Plug types
- C, D, E, K
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 17 police, 18 fire (also handles medical emergencies), 1515 SAMU ambulance
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory, but appreciated in restaurants (around 5–10%), and for guides and drivers.
Staying online in Senegal
4G coverage is good in Dakar, Saint-Louis, Thiès and other towns and along the main roads. Coverage thins out in rural areas, in the delta islands and in national parks such as Niokolo-Koba. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, cafés and restaurants in Dakar and resort areas, though often slow elsewhere. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can book a ride from Blaise Diagne airport, which is some distance from the city.
Senegal eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Senegal, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Senegal, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Senegal, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Senegal, V2
Useful apps
- Yango: Ride-hailing widely used in Dakar, with the fare shown before you book.
- Heetch: Another popular ride-hailing app in Dakar.
- Google Maps: Navigation in Dakar and between towns; download offline maps for rural areas.
- Google Translate: French translation for menus and signs.
Senegal travel FAQs
Not widely. French is the official language and Wolof is the most widely spoken. Some guides and hotel staff speak English, but a few phrases of French help a lot.
Try ceebu jën (fish and rice), yassa (chicken or fish with lemon and onions), mafé (peanut stew) and grilled fish, with bissap, a hibiscus drink, or ataya, strong sweet green tea.
Yes, coverage is good in towns and on main roads. Roaming on a home plan is usually expensive, so a travel eSIM gives you local data while keeping your own number.
Yes. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and some restaurants in Dakar, but cash is needed for taxis, markets and rural areas. ATMs are common in towns.