Senegal tours & holidays
Discover the essence of teraanga
Warmth, generosity, hospitality and a genuine welcoming of visitors; this is teraanga, and it's at the heart of Senegalese culture. Whether you're listening to live jazz in Saint-Louis, cruising through Djoudj National Park in a traditional dugout canoe, relaxing on the golden sand beaches of Cap Skirring or sharing a family-style meal, this is your chance to embrace this unique West African culture. It won't be long until you're embodying teraanga like a local.
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Senegal at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Dakar
POPULATION
17.2 million
CURRENCY
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
LANGUAGE
French, Wolof
TIME ZONE
(GMT UTC +0) Dakar
CALLING CODE
+221
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type D (Old British 3-pin)
Learn more about Senegal
Best time to visit Senegal
The best time to visit Senegal is between November and March when the average coastal temperature of 28°C. Things get hotter and dustier the further inland you venture, thanks to the harmattan winds that blow in from the Sahara.
June to October is the rainy season. Temperatures rise above 30°C, and intermittent downpours create extreme humidity. Though the rain showers usually last no more than a few hours and the country will be green and lush, occasionally, roads will wash out, and some national parks will close or be inaccessible.
Geography and environment
Save for the southeast Fouta Djallon foothills and the Bambouk Mountains on the Malian border, little of Senegal rises more than 100m above sea level. The northern part of the country consists of sparsely vegetated savanna woodland and coastal dunes, while south of The Gambia, the land turns to dense jungle, winding river systems and mangrove estuaries.
Eating and drinking
Top 5 things to eat and drink in Senegal
1. Thieboudienne
Thieboudienne, a Wolof word meaning rice and fish, is the national dish of Senegal. Usually consisting of grouper or snapper, rice, tomato sauce and lots of Senagalese veggies, it's served in a large communal dish and eaten family-style.
2. Bouye juice
Thick, tangy and almost shake-like, bouye juice is made from the fruit of the baobab tree. Nothing defines the African landscape quite like the distinctive baobab tree (also known as the tree of life) that dots the plains of the savanna with its short trunks and widely spread canopies. The gourd-like fruit of the baobab has a sweet, fleshy pulp that creates the bouye juice. The juice is rich in fibre and vitamin C and has a mild tropical flavour.
3. Soupou kandia
A traditional Senegalese dish, the name comes from the Wolof word for okra (kandia). Sometimes prepared more like a sauce than an actual soup, soupou kandia is made of cooked okra, fish or meat, vegetables and palm oil and served over rice. Although the ingredients may vary, with some recipes favouring crab and shrimp while others use salmon, mussels or tilapia, the dish is guaranteed to be hearty.
4. Bissap
Bissap is one of Senegal's most popular drinks, and if you're invited into a local's home, you'll undoubtedly be served a cold glass of this sweetened hibiscus tea. Hibiscus is native to West Africa and Senegal is one of the world's largest producers of the crop. Bissap can be dolled up with orange blossom, vanilla or sprigs of mint, and in addition to being delicious and refreshing, it's full of heart-healthy antioxidants.
5. Sombi
Sombi is a traditional coconut rice pudding served chilled in the hot months and warm as needed for a comforting treat. Often garnished with coconut chips or fresh fruit, it makes an excellent sweet treat at any time of day.
Money matters
Credit card use is growing in Senegal but can still be somewhat limited. Power outages and weak internet can present challenges even where credit cards are accepted.
Cash is the preferred payment method, and carrying enough local currency (CFA Franc) for meals, shopping, and tipping is a good idea.
You can withdraw local currency at ATMs in larger cities like Dakar and Saint-Louis or exchange USD for CFA Francs. Like many parts of Africa, some businesses may reject old, crumpled, damaged or worn notes.
Senegal travel FAQs
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.
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?
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From Canada?
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From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
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From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
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Senegal & The Gambia Adventure
Senegal & The Gambia Adventure
Senegal & The Gambia Adventure
Senegal & The Gambia Adventure
Senegal & The Gambia Adventure