Senegal: Overview
The small tropical Republic of Senegal is one of the most visited countries in Africa. Senegal shares its borders with Mauritania to the west, with Guinea-Bissau to the south, with Mali to the north and with Guinea to the east.
This country offers many choices for its visitors to enjoy, among them, beautiful beaches, incredible landscapes and interesting cities.
Climate
Senegalese climate is hot and humid during the whole year, although it has two well differentiated seasons, wet and dry. Humidity level and temperature are specially high between June and October, the rainy season. Rains are generally short but heavy and may cause flooding, south being the most affected area. The dry season (November-May) is very hot. The finest moment to visit Senegal is between November and February, when it is a little cooler and drier than during the rest of the year. However it is also the time of the harmattan, a dry powdery Saharan wind. If you are planning on enjoying some scuba-diving, you should know that water is clearer between February and April. Bird watchers can witness migrations from November to April.
Important Information
Entry requirements vary a little according to the visitor's nationality. Only citizens from Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Spain and the USA are allowed to stay in the country without a visa (for no more than 90 days).
The official currency is the frank (XOF) and the only notes considered valid are the ones issued by Banque des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. There are some ATMs in Dakar but not in the rest of the country. Credit cards are only accepted in the largest shops and commission charges can be quite high. American Express is the most accepted one. Traveller’s checks can be cashed in Dakar.
There is no need of tipping in the main hotels and restaurants, since they add a 10-15% to their bills for service. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.
Concerning health, many travellers suffer stomach problems during the first days of their stay, so you should be careful with foods and drinks; try to drink only bottled or treated water. As there are many cases of malaria, chikungunya and dengue fever it is advisable to take cautions against mosquitoes’ stings. Visitors coming from infected areas must produce a vaccination certificate against yellow fever; you are also advised to get shots against hepatitis A, polio, typhus and tetanus. There is also a risk of meningococcal disease, so if you are visiting the country during the dry season months (November-May) it may be a good idea to get a shot against it. Cholera and the esquistosomiasis are also a problem in Senegal. Medical facilities are only good in Dakar, so hiring a comprehensive medical insurance for the trip is strongly recommended.
Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free, although it is necessary to take the basic safety measures to avoid petty crime and pickpockets, especially in the capital. You should not show off valuables and avoid land travelling in Casamance region, west of Kolda, due the presence of separatists groups.
There are some social and cultural customs you must respect in Senegal. As there is a Muslim majority, you should behave and dress conservatively, especially in rural areas. Public displays of affection between men and women should be avoided; homosexuality is illegal. During the Ramadan month you should not eat, drink or smoke in public.
Where to go
Dakar, capital of the country, is a modern city of tree-lined streets and a relatively small centre. Some of the places worthwhile visiting there are the IFAN Museum, where you can see an important collection of masks, musical instruments and African agricultural tools; Kermel and Sandaga markets; the Presidential Palace, which dates from the beginnings of 1900 and is surrounded by beautiful gardens; the Bel-Air beach and the Great Mosque.
Located 70 km from Dakar is Thiès, second city in size of the country, worthwhile of seeing and great for relaxing. Here Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs, a famous tapestry factory, stands out.
Saint Louis was the first French establishment in Africa, so it houses many prints of the colonial past as the old imposing manors. There you can visit the Guet N'Dar fishing community, the post office’s roof from where you can have a great view of the city; the Governor’s Palace, a 17th century small fort; the cathedral; the Muslim cemetery and the attractive Langue de Barbarie National Park.
Ziguinchor is a small city and the most economic one in Senegal. There you should go to Saint-Maur market, the Crafts Center and Djibelor’s Farm. Another good choice is making a short trip to the near populations of Affiniam and Djilapao in Ile des Osieaux.
Cap Skirring is one of the continent’s best beach areas, so it is the best choice if you are looking for sun and sea. If you want to enjoy a quiet beach you should go to Diembéring, 9 km to the north.
Kaolack, is another great enclave, perhaps quieter than the previous ones. Its main attractions are the mosque and the covered market, although it is also pleasant to walk the whole town.
Festivals
Dates of the Islamic calendar are different from those of the Gregorian one, since the first one has eleven days less than the second. For this reason it is recommended to check the corresponding dates of the festivals you want to attend. Some of the main celebrations are Ras as-Sana (New Year), Moulid an-Nabi, which commemorates Prophet Mohammed's birth; and Eid al-Fitr, the banquet that celebrates the end of the Ramadan fasting. Besides these celebrations you can enjoy the Pilgrimage, Grand Magal Party and the Paris-Dakar Rally, during the second week of January.
