Senegal Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Greetings are appropriate when coming across local people, especially in the bush. Visitors should make the effort to learn these in one of the local languages, and a knowledge of basic French is also advisable. Handshaking on meeting, regardless of how many times a day one meets the person, is common. When visiting a village, it is polite to call upon the village headman or schoolteacher to explain that you want to spend the night there or visit the area. They will often act as an interpreter and will be helpful guides to the customs of the village and also in terms of money, ensuring that a traveler does not find himself in the embarrassing position of paying for hospitality that was given in friendship. Always accept offerings, and return hospitality with a gift of medicines, food or money for the community. It is not advisable to give money indiscriminately as tourists have encouraged the practice of begging. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Scanty swimwear should be reserved for the beach. Smoking is prohibited in some public places (especially mosques).

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Air Senegal International (DS) (website: www.air-senegal-international.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Dakar (DKR) (Leopold Sedar Senghor) is 17km (10.5 miles) northwest of the city (journey time - 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Regular coach and bus services go to and from Dakar. Metered taxis are available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bar/restaurant, bank/bureau de change, post office and car hire.

There are two other operating airports in Cap Skiring and Saint Louis.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Dakar.

There are regular sailings from the Canary Islands, France, Morocco, Spain and several South American and West African ports.

Getting There By Rail

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. Since December 2007, the Dakar-Bamako train has been running from the Gare de Hann, 3km from Dakar station. Double-check locally.

Getting There By Road

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 5,500km (2,120-mile) 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.

Duty Free

Overview

The following may be imported into Senegal by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• One bottle of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Gifts up to the value of XOF5000.

Note: There is no free import of spirits.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Air Senegal International (DS) (website: www.air-senegal-international.com) runs services to all the main towns in Senegal. There are aerodromes in Ziguinchor, Podor and Tamba.

Getting Around By Water

It is often quicker to travel by sea than road. A ferry line, relaunched in 2007, runs from Dakar to Ziguinchor (journey time - 20 hours). Sea shuttles depart regularly from Dakar harbor to the Île de Gorée. An excellent service, L’Express du Senegal, links Banjul, Dakar and Ziguinchor. Fares tend to be high.

Getting Around By Rail

The country has a network of about 1,225km (761 miles) of rail track. Trains run from Dakar to towns en route for Bamako in Mali. There is an ongoing program of upgrading and expansion. Children under three travel free and children aged three to nine pay half fare.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. Asphalt roads link the major towns and the coastal region. The network of roads in the interior is rough 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.

Bus: There are many buses (known locally as grand cars) available for short distances as well as minibuses (known locally as petit cars or car rapide), which are cheaper if less efficient. Long-distance services operate subject to demand only.

Taxi: Available in most towns; fares are metered. Rates increase after midnight. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than arrange to be collected from the hotel. Bush taxis 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.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Bus and minibus services operate in Dakar.