Destination:
Senegal

Overview

Located on the northwestern bulge of Africa, at the continent's most westerly point, the small Republic of Senegal sits on the Atlantic Ocean between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, with another country, Gambia, almost entirely enclosed within it.

Its name is said to be derived from the Wolof name for the dugout canoes used by fishermen. Today the brightly painted, specially designed pirogues are at the heart of one of Senegal's main national sports, canoe racing, which takes place along various stretches of the coast. The dugouts are still used by fishermen who navigate the waters of the 250-mile (402km) coastline in the age-old tradition that is the most common activity after farming, and the most important supply of export revenue. Fish is also the main source of protein for the Senegalese who consume the greatest amount of fish in the world, possibly second only to the Japanese.

The sun shines almost all year round on hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, estuaries, mangrove swamps, savannah and a semi-desert in the north. The Casamance region, a strip of land stretching from east to west across the country below The Gambia, boasts some of the best beaches in West Africa, and is one of the most touristic parts of Senegal, a vision of tropical splendour with lush forests, coconut palm groves, brilliant flame trees and bougainvillea, and warm waters brushing the endless stretches of sandy beaches. Hotels bordering the beaches make coastal Casamance a holiday paradise for visitors. The modern capital city of Dakar, situated on the tip of the Cap Vert peninsula, is a vibrant hive of local and international activity, where businessmen rub shoulders with tourists and traditionally dressed Senegalese amid the confusion of gleaming hotels, cafes, colourful open-air markets and the medina (old quarter). Just two miles (3km) offshore lies Gorée, an island that was the most important slave depot in West Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Not only does Senegal offer seaside resorts, a fascinating history, and a modern business infrastructure, but there are also national parks rich in flora and fauna, excellent scuba-diving and fishing opportunities, a diversity of cultures and customs, and a warm welcome by its people who adhere to the traditional values of respect for others, good manners and hospitality.

Basics

Time
Local time is GMT.

Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.

Language
The official language is French, but there are six other national languages spoken, including Wolof, which is the most widely used, as well as numerous other dialects.

Health
Stomach troubles are the most common health concerns for travellers in Senegal. Visitors should watch what they eat and drink: do not drink untreated tap water. 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 coming from an infected area, but all travellers should be vaccinated against yellow fever as a precaution; 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). Outbreaks of cholera also occur. There is a risk of bilharzia, and visitors should avoid contact with stagnant, fresh water. Medical facilities are good in Dakar, but are limited in the rest of the country, and travellers should ensure they have comprehensive health insurance.

Tipping
Larger hotels and restaurants usually include a service charge of 10 to 15% . Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

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.

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.

Business
In Senegal, it is expected of the visitor to dress formally. Greetings are very important in Senegal 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, although 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.

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). No city/area codes are required. Senegal's telephone system is one of the most developed in Africa, and there are numerous telephone centres for making both local and international calls. Mobile phone operators provide GSM 900 cell phone coverage. Cybercafes offer Internet connections in the main cities.

Duty Free
Travellers to Senegal over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or tobacco products; perfume for personal use; gifts to the value of CFA 5,000. The import of spirits is not duty-free, but travellers are able to import one bottle of wine.

Currency

The official currency is the West African CFA Franc (XOF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is fixed to the Euro at a rate of 1 Euro = 655.957 CFA francs, or 100 CFA francs = 0.152449 Euro, and only currency issued by the Bank of West African States ( Banque des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest)is considered valid. 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. Travellers cheques can be cashed in Dakar.

XOF 1 =

US$ 0.19

£ 0.12

C$ 0.19

A$ 0.18

R 1.60

EUR 0.15

NZ$ 0.24

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
Stomach troubles are the most common health concerns for travellers in Senegal. Visitors should watch what they eat and drink: do not drink untreated tap water. 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 coming from an infected area, but all travellers should be vaccinated against yellow fever as a precaution; 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). Outbreaks of cholera also occur. There is a risk of bilharzia, and visitors should avoid contact with stagnant, fresh water. Medical facilities are good in Dakar, but are limited in the rest of the country, and travellers should ensure they have comprehensive health insurance.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
All visitors must either hold a return or onward ticket, or pay a deposit to the airline approximately equal to the fare of a ticket from Senegal to their country of origin (refundable on request to the local Treasury before leaving Senegal) and all documents for 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 your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Senegal Tourism
Ministry of Tourism, Dakar: Tel.: +221 (0)33 860 45 15 / 77 552 52 44 or www.au-senegal.com

Foreign Embassies in Senegal

Senegal Embassies

Regions and Cities

Dakar

After three centuries of French colonial rule, Senegal became independent in 1960. Before independence the city of Dakar was the capital of French West Africa, which included nine French-speaking states, and Dakar has been the capital of the independent Republic since then. The country retained strong ties with France and the French influence remains in the architecture of the city, where well preserved colonial buildings, the monumental government house and café terraces stand testimony to its history.

Situated on the tip of the Cap Vert Peninsula, the modern capital teems with life and boasts luxurious hotels, a wide range of restaurants, beaches and watersports, a casino and an active nightlife scene. It is also one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in Africa.

As the nearest African country to the United States, Senegal became the most important slave depot in West Africa and the island of Gorée, just two miles (3km) offshore, was the centre of the slave trade. For nearly four centuries thousands of men, women and children were kept locked in cells on the island, the 'Door of no Return', before being shipped to the Americas. Today Gorée is a UNESCO Historical Monument and visitors can experience the horrors of its past in 'La Maison des Enclaves' with its cells, shackles and the slave dealer's apartments, as well as at the many museums housed in former slave houses, and the forts built to protect the lucrative business.