Senegal Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Senegal

Former Name

NA

Capital City

Dakar

Government Type

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Area Size

196,190 sq km

Time Zone

No UTC/GMT offset

Climate

The local climate is tropical with well-defined dry and humid seasons that result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's annual rainfall of about 600mm (24 in) occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average 27°C (80.6°F); December to February minimum temperatures are about 17°C (62.6°F). Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 1.5m (59.1 in) annually in some areas.

Geography

Senegal is located on the west of the African continent. The Senegalese landscape consists mainly of the rolling sandy plains of the western Sahel which rise to foothills in the southeast. Here is also found Senegal's highest point, an otherwise unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha at 581 m. (1906 ft.) The northern border is formed by the Senegal River, other rivers include the Gambia and Casamance Rivers. The capital Dakar lies on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of continental Africa.

Languages

French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Culture

The Senegal is a country rich in musical values and the number of occasions that are used to gather around the "griots" or clapping your hands and sway your hips in rhythm delights a public often very numerous. Each ethical group has his music and his instruments that are their own. There is a large variety of Senegalise Art and Craft products including jewellery, clothes, basket weaving and musical instruments. ’Underglass’’ Painting is one of the oldest Senegalese arts. It is very popular in the towns and even in rural areas the painting reproduces daily scenes of life Just as in ‘’Naif Art’’. Sand painting is one of the most popular arts of Senegal. The technique is strictly based on the use of local raw material (sand of the dune, beach sand, volcano sands etc…). The designs are typically African.

History

Independent from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled by the Socialist Party for forty years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. A southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982, but Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.

Travel Information

The national airline is Air Senegal International (DS). Dakar (DKR) (Leopold Sedar Senghor)Airport is 17km (10.5 miles) northwest of the city (journey time – 25 minutes). Regular coach and bus services go to and from Dakar. Metered taxis are available. Airport facilities consists of Duty-free shop, bar/restaurant, bank/bureau de change, post office and car hire. There are two other operating airports in Cap Skirring and Saint Louis. Main ports: Dakar. There are regular sailings from the Canary Islands, France, Morocco, Spain and several South American and West African ports. There is a passenger train with restaurant and sleeping cars, running to/from Bamako, Mali. The journey can take 30 to 36 hours but expect four to 12 hour delays. Roads from Mauritania are tarred and in good condition; the best place to cross the border is at Rosso. Roads from Guinea-Bissau are not yet tarred; there is a border crossing at São Domingo. There is a route from Senegal to Mali via Tambacounda. There is access across the Sahara by a 5,500-km road that runs from Algeria via Mali. The trans-Gambian highway crosses the River Gambia by ferry. There is a good network of buses and taxis running across the major borders.

Accommodation

The government-controlled expansion of tourism has led to an increasing number of hotels. There are several of international standard, and more development is underway, including a number of hotels on the Petite Côte (the stretch of beaches between Dakar and Joal). In Casamance, some luxury resorts have been built. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, particularly in Dakar where there is an increased demand during the tourist season, which lasts from December to May. Hotels in Dakar generally have air conditioning but tend to be expensive. In addition, visitors may choose the floating hotel in the River Region.

Visa Requirements

Visas is required by nationals of Australia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for at least six months after date of entry required by all nationals. Applications from nationals of the following countries must be referred to the authorities in Dakar and will therefore take longer (up to 21 days): Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovak Republic. A WHO vaccination card, with current yellow fever and cholera vaccinations, may be required if national is travelling from an endemic area. The Visa is valid three months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months. Apply to Consulate or consular section at embassy.

Getting Around

Air Senegal runs services to all the main towns in Senegal. Gambia Air Shuttle offers flights from Dakar to Banjul (The Gambia). There are aerodromes in Ziguinchor, Podor and Tamba. It is often quicker to travel by sea than road. A replacement ferry from Dakar to Ziquinchor (travel time - 20 hours) had its maiden voyage in 2005. Sea shuttles depart regularly from Dakar harbour to the Île de Gorée. An excellent new service, L’Express du Senegal, links Banjul, Dakar and Ziguinchor. Fares tend to be high. The country has a network of about 1225km of rail track. Trains run from Dakar to towns en route for Bamako in Mali. There is an ongoing programme of upgrading and expansion. Children under three travel free. Children aged three to nine pay half fare. Traffic drives on the right. There are approximately 3900km of asphalt roads linking the major towns and the coastal region. The network of roads in the interior is rough (about 10,400km in total) and may become impassable during the rainy season; it is not advisable to drive at night. There are often police checkpoints at the entrance and exit to villages to enforce speed restrictions; fines are paid on the spot. There are many buses available for short distances as well as mini-buses (known locally as car rapide), which are cheaper if less efficient. Fares are usually up to XOF100. Long-distance services operate subject to demand only. Taxis are available in most towns and fares are metered with a surcharge of XOF100. Rates increase after midnight. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than arrange to be collected from the hotel. Bush taxis and estate cars are good for journeys into the interior. Car hire: Companies are found in Dakar and the main towns. Documentation: A French or International Driving Permit and Green Card are required. Bus and minibus services operate in Dakar.

Health & Safety

Stomach troubles are the most common complaint with visitors to Senegal, so travellers should watch what they eat and drink; do not drink untreated tap water. Malaria is prevalent throughout the country and prophylaxis is recommended for all travellers. A yellow fever vaccination is a requirement for entry to Senegal; other recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A and B, 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. 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 should be avoided.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 20 Jan - Tamkarit (Islamic New Year). 29 Jan - Tamkharit (Ashoura). 31 Mar - Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday. 4 Apr - Independence Day. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 17 May - Ascension. 28 May - Whit Monday. 15 Aug - Assumption. 13 Oct - Korité (End of Ramadan). 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 20 Dec - Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF)

Electricity

220V AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1700. During Ramadan, some offices open 0730-1430.