Travel Summary
- The Casamance region of south-western Senegal remains affected by incidents involving presumed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry. We advise against road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than on, the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skirring which is often used by groups of tourists.
- Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free. Five British nationals required consular assistance in Senegal in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for incidences including hospitalisations and arrests, for a variety of offences. During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (12 cases).
- Pick pocketing and street crime, occasionally involving violence, is common in parts of Dakar. You should take sensible precautions and avoid carrying valuables in public.
- There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should take particular care in remote areas of Senegal and the border arease next to Mauritania and Mali. You should be aware that there is a high threat of terrorism and kidnap in both Mauritania and Mali.
- We advise that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice .
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should take particular care in remote areas of Senegal and the border areas next to Mauritania and Mali. You should be aware that there is a high threat of terrorism and kidnap in both Mauritania and Mali.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Pick pocketing and street crime (including in taxis), occasionally involving violence, are common in parts of Dakar, particularly around Place de l'Independence, the central area of the Plateau, the Western Corniche, and the airport. You should take sensible precautions, avoid walking alone in the late afternoon and after dark and avoid carrying valuables in public.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
The political situation in Senegal is generally calm and stable. Strikes and demonstrations do occur, particularly around the University on Route de Ouakam and around the areas of Colobane and Medina. Some demonstrations have turned violent and resulted in the police using tear gas to break up groups of protesters. Demonstrations are usually announced a day or two in advance in the local newspapers and on local radio stations. You should be alert to this risk and avoid all demonstrations and protests.
Local Travel
The Casamance region of south-western Senegal (between the southern border of Gambia and the northern border of Guinea-Bissau) remains affected by incidents involving armed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry, particularly though not exclusively in the regions of Bignona and Sindian.
It has been reported that on 8 June 2009 three people were killed by unidentified armed men in two separate attacks near the village of Kataba, 45 miles north-west of Ziguinchor. In 2008 there were several incidents where between five and fifteen cars were ambushed and their passengers robbed, sometimes violently, by armed men. There were also at least two clashes between the Senegalese army and suspected elements of the MFDC (the Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance – an armed separatist group) resulting in injuries and deaths. In May 2008, villagers harvesting cashew nuts in an area 15 km to the east of Ziguinchor were attacked by armed men claiming to be members of the MFDC; more than 15 villagers had an ear cut off.
We therefore advise against all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours. If you travel on this route, we advise that you do so only during daylight hours and that you monitor the local security situation before travelling. In June 2009 the Senegalese government announced that the N4 and N5 roads in the Casamance region will be closed each night from 1800 to 0600.
Land mines also remain a problem in Casamance and de-mining operations are continuing. A non-governmental organisation operating in Casamance has recorded more than 1,000 deaths from land mines since 1990. In 2008, there have been reports of three incidents involving land mines, which have resulted in death and serious injury. In 2006 a foreign national was killed when her vehicle hit a newly placed mine on an unpaved road. You should take local advice and stick to paved roads.
You should exercise caution if travelling in areas of Senegal near the border with the Republic of Guinea. A military coup took place in Guinea on 23 December 2008. In November 2008 there were a number of reports of armed attacks taking place in the area of Linkering, near to the Senegalese border with Guinea.
The Casamance region of south-western Senegal (between the southern border of Gambia and the northern border of Guinea-Bissau) remains affected by incidents involving armed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry, particularly though not exclusively in the regions of Bignona and Sindian.
It has been reported that on 8 June 2009 three people were killed by unidentified armed men in two separate attacks near the village of Kataba, 45 miles north-west of Ziguinchor. In 2008 there were several incidents where between five and fifteen cars were ambushed and their passengers robbed, sometimes violently, by armed men. There were also at least two clashes between the Senegalese army and suspected elements of the MFDC (the Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance – an armed separatist group) resulting in injuries and deaths. In May 2008, villagers harvesting cashew nuts in an area 15 km to the east of Ziguinchor were attacked by armed men claiming to be members of the MFDC; more than 15 villagers had an ear cut off.
We therefore advise against all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours. If you travel on this route, we advise that you do so only during daylight hours and that you monitor the local security situation before travelling. In June 2009 the Senegalese government announced that the N4 and N5 roads in the Casamance region will be closed each night from 1800 to 0600.
Land mines also remain a problem in Casamance and de-mining operations are continuing. A non-governmental organisation operating in Casamance has recorded more than 1,000 deaths from land mines since 1990. In 2008, there have been reports of three incidents involving land mines, which have resulted in death and serious injury. In 2006 a foreign national was killed when her vehicle hit a newly placed mine on an unpaved road. You should take local advice and stick to paved roads.
You should exercise caution if travelling in areas of Senegal near the border with the Republic of Guinea. A military coup took place in Guinea on 23 December 2008. In November 2008 there were a number of reports of armed attacks taking place in the area of Linkering, near to the Senegalese border with Guinea.
Road Travel
While some main roads are of good quality, other roads can be poor especially during the rainy season (July-October). Driving standards are unpredictable. Some taxis and public mini-buses ('car rapide') would not be considered roadworthy by UK standards. Traffic in the Dakar area is heavy and you need to take particular care and attention to avoid accidents. Driving after dark carries added hazards because of poor lighting both of streets and other vehicles. If you do have an accident you must contact the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene. In more remote areas outside of the main cities you may need to go direct to the nearest police station to report the incident there.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline Security.
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Local laws reflect the fact that Senegal is a predominantly Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see Travelling During Ramadan.
Most Senegalese are Muslim. There is a strong tradition of tolerance of other customs and religions, but it is a generally conservative society. You are advised to dress and behave modestly in public outside the main tourist areas. Bars and restaurants usually serve alcoholic drinks but drunkenness is considered offensive. Kissing as a greeting is acceptable but kissing romantically in public is not.
There is no gay scene in Senegal and article 319 of the penal code states that “an indecent or unnatural act with an individual of the same sex is punishable by 1-5 years imprisonment”.
Senegal has imposed a temporary ban on the import of poultry and poultry products. This is a precautionary measure against Avian Flu. No cases of Avian Flu have been reported.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.
Entry requirements
Visas
UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Senegal for periods of less than three months. Travellers should be aware of reports that European airlines have refused boarding to passengers travelling to Senegal who have not had either a return ticket to leave Senegal within three months or a longer-term Senegalese work/residency permit.
Passport validity
Passports with less than six months’ validity should ideally be renewed before travel. Also see the General section of this advice.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact: http://www.senegalembassy.co.uk.
Health
Health facilities in Dakar are reasonable but are limited in the rest of Senegal.
Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in Senegal, especially during the rainy season (July-October).
There are occasional outbreaks of cholera but if you take sensible hygiene precautions you are unlikely to be affected. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Senegal you should seek immediate medical attention.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 64,000 adults aged 15 or over in Senegal were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Senegal and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in Senegal, especially during the rainy season (July-October).
There are occasional outbreaks of cholera but if you take sensible hygiene precautions you are unlikely to be affected. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Senegal you should seek immediate medical attention.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 64,000 adults aged 15 or over in Senegal were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Senegal and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then see When Things Go Wrong.
Registration
We recommend that British passport holders travelling to Senegal register via our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then see When Things Go Wrong.
Registration
We recommend that British passport holders travelling to Senegal register via our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Replacement Passports
The British Embassy in Dakar does not issue passports and before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages. Applications for new passports are accepted in Dakar for forwarding to the British High Commission in Banjul for processing, but this may take up to five weeks. If a courier is used, the cost will have to be borne by the applicant.
Money
Credit cards are accepted in larger establishments that cater for tourists. You should be aware that a commission is added for their use. There are ATM facilities in Dakar, but banking facilities are sporadic in the rest of the country.
