Senegal tours & holidays

Many nationalities will need a visa to travel to Senegal.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

At established restaurants, a 10 to 15% service charge is usually included in the bill. Where it’s not, 10% is the acceptable gratuity.

Although tipping at other eateries isn't mandatory, rounding up the bill will be much appreciated, given the low wages that Senegalese workers are typically paid. Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides, and drivers is also a good idea.

Wi-fi is readily available in Dakar, Saint-Louis and other large cities in Senegal. In more rural areas, connection can be sparse. Use an eSIM or a local SIM card if you're worried about Wi-fi availability.

Mobile phone coverage is good in Senegal’s large cities and towns, but less so in rural areas. Pick up an eSIM or a local SIM if you like to stay connected.

Squat/pit toilets are generally the standard in Senegal, although Western-style flushable toilets are often found in large hotels and other modern buildings. It's a good idea to carry your own supply of toilet paper and hand sanitiser because these are rarely provided.

Tap water isn't safe to drink in Senegal. We recommend bringing water purification tablets or asking your leader where filtered water can be found.

Credit cards are widely accepted at major hotels, restaurants and some shops in larger cities like Dakar and Saint-Louis. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted cards. In more remote locations, carrying cash is recommended.

Banks with ATMs are found in all cities and large towns across the country but are rarer in small towns, rural areas and villages. Not all ATMs will accept foreign cards or be in working order, so be sure to have enough local currency on you when venturing out of the cities.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid