Time | Electricity | Currency | Language | Entry Requirements
Senegal Representation Overseas | International Representation in Senegal
Health | Tipping | Safety | Cultural Customs | Communications | Duty-free
Time: Local time is GMT.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.
Money: 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. 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.
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.
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Entry Requirements
Americans: US nationals must have a passport valid for three months. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.
UK Nationals: UK nationals must have a passport valid for three months. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months if passport is endorsed British Citizen, otherwise a visa is required.
Canadians: Canadians must have a passport valid for three months. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.
Australians: Australians must have a passport valid for three months. A visa is required.
South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid for three months. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.
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).
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Senegal Representation Overseas
US
Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC, United States
+1 202 234 0540
UK
Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7938 4048 or (0)20 7937 7237
Canada
Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa, Canada
+1 613 238 6392
Australia
Consulate-General of Senegal, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
+61 (0)3 9348 0466
South Africa
Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa
+27 (0)12 460 5263
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International Representation in Senegal
US Embassy or Consulate
United States Embassy, Dakar
+221 823 4296
UK Embassy or Consulate
British Embassy, Dakar
+221 823 7392, 823 9971
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia)
+221 889 4700
South African Embassy or Consulate
South African Embassy, Dakar
+221 865 1959
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Health: 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.
Tipping: A service charge of 10 to 15% is included in larger hotels and restaurants. 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 should be avoided.
Cultural 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. Acts of homosexuality are illegal. Greetings are important.
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 codes are required. The telephone system is one of the most developed in Africa and there are numerous telephone centres for making both local and international calls. Two operators provide cell phone coverage. Cyber cafes 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; or gifts to the value of CFAF 5,000. The import of spirits is not duty-free.
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