- British visitors can usually visit for up to 90 days without a visa
- Senegal is on GMT, the same as the UK in winter
- Mix Dakar and Gorée with Saint-Louis, the Sine-Saloum Delta and a beach at Saly
- Go in the dry season, from November to May
- Airports
- Dakar Blaise Diagne International (DSS), Cap Skirring (CSK)
- Flight time
- about 8-10h from London to Dakar, usually with one stop
- Best time to go
- November-May, the dry season
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
Senegal is one of West Africa's most welcoming and stable countries, and a great first step into the region. Dakar, on the continent's westernmost tip, is a buzzing capital of markets, street art and live music, and a short ferry ride away lies Gorée Island, a moving reminder of the transatlantic slave trade. Beyond the city you can explore the faded colonial grandeur of Saint-Louis, glide through the mangroves of the Sine-Saloum Delta and relax on Atlantic beaches.
Senegal runs on GMT all year, the same as the UK in winter and one hour behind in summer. Plugs are mostly the European two-pin type, traffic drives on the right and French and Wolof are the main languages. This Africa guide covers where to go, when, and how to plan a trip. Senegal surrounds The Gambia, and many travellers combine the two, sometimes with Guinea-Bissau or Cape Verde.
Where to go in Senegal
Dakar
The capital has the African Renaissance Monument, the bustling Sandaga and Soumbédioune markets, the Museum of Black Civilisations and a nightlife scene built on mbalax music. The Almadies peninsula has surf spots and seafood restaurants, and N'Gor Island is a short pirogue ride offshore.
Gorée Island
A UNESCO World Heritage Site 20 minutes from Dakar by ferry, Gorée has quiet sandy lanes, colourful colonial houses and the House of Slaves, a memorial to the millions taken across the Atlantic.
Lac Rose
Lake Retba, about an hour from Dakar, can turn strawberry pink thanks to algae, especially in the dry season. Salt collectors work its shallow waters, and dunes separate it from the ocean.
Saint-Louis
The former colonial capital sits on a narrow island in the Senegal River, reached by the iron Faidherbe Bridge. Its UNESCO-listed old town, the fishing quarter of Guet N'Dar and nearby Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, one of the world's great wetlands for migrating birds in winter, make it worth two or three days.
The Petite Côte and Saly
South of Dakar, Saly is Senegal's main beach resort, with hotels, golf and calm water. Nearby Joal-Fadiouth is a village built on an island of shells, linked by a wooden bridge.
Sine-Saloum Delta
A maze of mangrove creeks, islands and fishing villages, best explored by pirogue from Toubacouta or Palmarin. It is excellent for birdwatching and slow, peaceful stays in eco-lodges.
Casamance and Cap Skirring
The lush south, beyond The Gambia, has the beaches of Cap Skirring, Diola villages and a strong local culture. Ziguinchor is the regional hub.
Best time to visit Senegal
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dry season (November-February) | Warm, sunny and around 25-30 °C; ideal for touring and birdwatching |
| Late dry season (March-May) | Hotter inland, windy and dusty Harmattan days at times |
| Rainy season (June-October) | Humid with heavy downpours, especially August-September; lush and quiet |
Getting to Senegal from the UK
There are usually no direct flights from the UK, so most people connect in about eight to ten hours via Paris (Air France), Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Lisbon (TAP), Madrid (Iberia), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) or Istanbul. Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) is about 45km east of the city, roughly an hour by road or less on the new express train link where running.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Senegal without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever, and vaccination is recommended anyway. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to some rural areas of the Casamance region near the borders with The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Dakar has metered-by-haggle taxis, ride-hailing apps and the TER commuter train. Between towns, sept-places (shared estate cars) and minibuses are cheap but cramped; hiring a car with a driver is a comfortable and popular choice. A ferry links Dakar with Ziguinchor in Casamance overnight, and domestic flights reach Cap Skirring.
Agree taxi fares before you set off, and ask your hotel what the usual price is so you have a fair starting point.
Money and costs
The CFA franc is pegged to the euro at about 656 XOF to €1. ATMs are common in Dakar and larger towns, but cards are only accepted in bigger hotels and restaurants, so carry cash. Senegal is not as cheap as you might expect: allow around 30,000-60,000 XOF (roughly £40-80) per person per day for a mid-range trip, with a car and driver adding more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Senegal safe to visit?
Senegal is generally one of the more stable countries in West Africa, and most visits pass without problems. Take normal precautions against petty theft in Dakar, and check FCDO advice for Casamance.
Do British citizens need a visa for Senegal?
Not usually for stays of up to 90 days, but check the latest requirements before you travel.
Is Senegal good for a beach holiday?
Yes, especially at Saly on the Petite Côte and Cap Skirring in Casamance, though most visitors combine beaches with culture and nature.
What language do they speak in Senegal?
French is the official language and Wolof is the most widely spoken. English is limited outside hotels, so a few French phrases help.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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