Senegal

Africa that takes to the heart


Like the baobab tree, its emblem, Senegal is deeply rooted in African tradition. With its hospitality, tolerance and joie de vivre, this is an endearing Africa that's different on every trip, just a few hours' flight from home.

Senegal is the closest of the Black African countries: a good six hours' flight from Western Europe and no time difference. This proximity does not prevent it from remaining truly authentic. A mosaic of peoples, religions and languages, Senegal's greatest asset is its people. Which is not to say that there's nothing to see here - on the contrary.

Ideal for

Cultural, safari, beach, river cruise, cooking classes, dance classes, honeymoon.

Did you know?

That most of the Lebou fishermen in the villages around Dakar don't know how to... swim, and have to manoeuvre their pirogues all the more carefully to cross the wave bar facing the coast.

The must-haves

  1. Stay in Saint-Louis, the former capital. From its heyday, it has retained its pretty colonial houses and wrought-iron balconies.
  2. Cruise the delta of the Sine and Saloum rivers, with its 70,000 hectares of mangroves, gallery forests and sandbanks. And the Djoudj National Park. Gigantic natural aviaries.
  3. Treat yourselfn safari in Niokolo-Koba Park or Bandia Reserve.
  4. Push on to Casamance, beyond the Gambia, and discover a very green Senegal.
  5. Get closer to Lake Rose, saltier than the Dead Sea, and the fishing villages on the nearby coast.
Senegal
Senegal

Between us

  1. In Senegal, as is often the case in Africa, haggling means spending hours on the friendship bench: you won't be blamed - on the contrary!.
  2. A word of advice to avoid breaking local custom: if you wish to help the villagers by donating school supplies, soap or other everyday items, always give them to the village chief, who will distribute them as best he can.
  3. Whether Muslim or Catholic, the Senegalese remain fundamentally animist. Even priests and imams have their gris-gris.
  4. For some years now, a former postal ship - the Bou el Mogdad - has been offering magnificent cruises on the Senegal River. An opportunity to discover an authentic and little-visited region.
  5. In Senegal, people often use small collective buses to get around, known here as «s'en-fout-la-mort». Think twice before climbing aboard: they're the second leading cause of death after malaria.

When to go?

From November to February, it hardly rains at all, even in Casamance, and temperatures fluctuate between 22 and 30°C. From June to November, the heat and humidity become uncomfortable.

Packing

Lightweight clothing for all seasons, but a few sweaters for cooler evenings and long-sleeved pants and outfits to avoid mosquito attacks.
Senegal

When to go?

Climate Senegal - Dakar
Dakar

January

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 26

February

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 26

March

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 26

Rainy day: 1

April

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 25

Rainy day: 1

May

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 26

Rainy day: 1

June

Climate :
Rated 3 out of 5

T° : 29

Rainy day: 2

July

Climate :
Rated 3 out of 5

T° : 30

Rainy day: 2

August

Climate :
Rated 1 out of 5

T° : 30

Rainy day: 9

September

Climate :
Rated 3 out of 5

T° : 31

Rainy day: 8

October

Climate :
Rated 3 out of 5

T° : 31

Rainy day: 2

November

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 30

Rainy day: 2

December

Climate :
Rated 5 out of 5

T° : 28

Rainy day: 1

en_USEN
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