Senegal travel info
Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.
Language
The official language is French, but there are other national languages spoken, including Wolof, which are more widely used.
Money
The official currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes; travellers should avoid exchanging large quantities of CFA francs for foreign currency anywhere other than reputable exchange bureaus. There are ATMs in Dakar, but banking facilities are limited in the rest of the country. Credit cards are only accepted by major establishments catering to the tourist trade, with American Express being the most widely accepted; commission is charged.
Tipping
Larger hotels and restaurants usually include a service charge of 10 to 15 percent. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.
Health
Stomach troubles are the most common health concerns for travellers in Senegal, so visitors should watch what they eat and drink. Protection against mosquito bites is essential as malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya fever occur; malaria is prevalent throughout the country and prophylaxis is recommended for all travellers. A yellow fever vaccination is a requirement for entry to Senegal if visitors arriving from or have transited through an area where there is a risk of transmission, but all travellers should be vaccinated against yellow fever as a precaution. All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines; other recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, and typhoid. Outbreaks of meningococcal infections occur and vaccination is recommended for travel during the dry season (November to May). Medical facilities are good in Dakar, but are limited in the rest of the country. Travellers should ensure they have comprehensive health insurance.
Safety
Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free, but street crime and pick-pocketing, especially in Dakar, are common. Visitors are advised to conceal valuables from the public eye. Travel by road in the Casamance region west of Kolda is unsafe due to the activities of separatist rebel groups and bandits, and should be avoided.
Local customs
The majority of the population is Muslim and it is generally a conservative society, where dress and behaviour should be modest, especially outside the main tourist areas. Public displays of affection between men and women should be avoided, and acts of homosexuality are illegal. Drunkenness is offensive. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited by the Muslim faith; visitors should avoid eating and drinking in public during this time.
Doing business
In Senegal, it is expected of the visitor to dress formally. Greetings are very important and the visitor must ensure that every member at the meeting is greeted and acknowledged at least once. The shaking of hands is the standard greeting for men and women in business. It is a good idea to be punctual even if the host is not. Meetings can often take longer than anticipated and patience may prove a virtue. Business is usually conducted in French and a translator may be needed, though many Senegalese businessmen will know some English. It is important to find out beforehand how the contacts are to be addressed. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with an hour taken over lunch.
Duty free
Travellers to Senegal over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or tobacco products, or one bottle of perfume for personal use.
Communications
The international dialling code for Senegal is +221. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). Travellers can purchase prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones; cafes, restaurants and hotels profide WiFi.
Passport & Visa
All visitors must either hold a return or onward ticket and all documents for the next destination. Passports must be valid for at least three months on entry; however, it is highly recommended that passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Senegal. Immigration officials sometimes apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa required for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
UK nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months from the date of arrival. No visa required for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of six months after their departure date. No visa required for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
Australian nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months from the date of arrival. A visa is required for stays longer than 3 months.
South African nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months from the date of arrival. A visa is required for stays longer than 3 months.
Irish nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months from the date of arrival. No visa required for a maximum stay of up to 90 days.
New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months from the date of arrival. A visa is required for stays longer than 3 months.
Useful contacts
Ministry of Tourism, Dakar: Tel.: +221 (0)33 860 45 15 / 77 552 52 44 or www.au-senegal.com
17 (Police); 15 (Ambulance); 18 (Fire)Embassies / consulates in other countries
Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC: +1 202 234 0540.
Embassy of Senegal, London (also responsible for Ireland): Tel: +(44) 20 7937 7237.
Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa: +1 613 238 6392.
Consulate-General of Senegal, Melbourne: +61 (0)3 9348 0466.
Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 5263.
Embassies / consulates in Senegal
United States Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 879 4000.
British Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 823 7392.
Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia): +221 (0)33 889 4700.
Embassy of Australia, Dakar, +221 823 9290
South African Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 865 1959.