Senegal Travel Guide

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.

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. Travelers checks can be cashed in Dakar.

450.2700

Time

Local time is GMT.

Electricity

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

Communications

The international dialing 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 centers 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

Travelers 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 travelers are able to import one bottle of wine.

Tourist Office

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

Embassies in Senegal

• United States Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 829 2100, after hours: +221 (0)33 823 6520.
• British Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 823 7392 or +221 (0)33 823 9971.
• Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia): +221 (0)33 889 4700.
• South African Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 865 1959.

Senegal Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 0540.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).
• Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6392.
• Consulate-General of Senegal, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9348 0466.
• Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 5263.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).

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.

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. Travelers checks can be cashed in Dakar.

450.2700

Time

Local time is GMT.

Electricity

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

Communications

The international dialing 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 centers 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

Travelers 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 travelers are able to import one bottle of wine.

Tourist Office

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

Embassies in Senegal

• United States Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 829 2100, after hours: +221 (0)33 823 6520.
• British Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 823 7392 or +221 (0)33 823 9971.
• Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia): +221 (0)33 889 4700.
• South African Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 865 1959.

Senegal Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 0540.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).
• Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6392.
• Consulate-General of Senegal, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9348 0466.
• Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 5263.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).

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.

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. Travelers checks can be cashed in Dakar.

450.2700

Time

Local time is GMT.

Electricity

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

Communications

The international dialing 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 centers 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

Travelers 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 travelers are able to import one bottle of wine.

Tourist Office

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

Embassies in Senegal

• United States Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 829 2100, after hours: +221 (0)33 823 6520.
• British Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 823 7392 or +221 (0)33 823 9971.
• Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia): +221 (0)33 889 4700.
• South African Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 865 1959.

Senegal Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 0540.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).
• Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6392.
• Consulate-General of Senegal, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9348 0466.
• Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 5263.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).

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.

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. Travelers checks can be cashed in Dakar.

450.2700

Time

Local time is GMT.

Electricity

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

Communications

The international dialing 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 centers 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

Travelers 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 travelers are able to import one bottle of wine.

Tourist Office

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

Embassies in Senegal

• United States Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 829 2100, after hours: +221 (0)33 823 6520.
• British Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 823 7392 or +221 (0)33 823 9971.
• Canadian Embassy, Dakar (also responsible for Australia): +221 (0)33 889 4700.
• South African Embassy, Dakar: +221 (0)33 865 1959.

Senegal Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Senegal, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 0540.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).
• Embassy of Senegal, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 6392.
• Consulate-General of Senegal, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9348 0466.
• Embassy of Senegal, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 5263.
• Embassy of Senegal, London, United Kingdom: Tel: +(44) 20 7938 4048 or +(44) 20 7937 7237. (Also responsible for Ireland).