Senegal

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Dakar

Population

10,580,000

Government

Republic under multiparty democratic rule

Religions

Islam, Christianity (Catholic)

Languages

French, Wolof, Pulaar, Serer

Calling Code

+221

Nationality

Senegalese

Local name

le Sénégal

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Introduction

Saint Louis

© All Rights Reserved LuisDafos

When Senegal defeated France in the soccer World Cup 2002, the president declared a public holiday. The victory was all the more potent when you consider that the French were once Senegal's colonial masters. Not only on the soccer field has the country been successful though. Local musicians have risen to fame throughout Africa and some, like Youssou N'Dour and Touré Kunda, have taken their music to the international audience. Senegalese textiles, too, have been granted widespread appreciation for their colourful beauty.

For a Bel-Air experience of a completely different variety, Senegal's Point de Bel-Air is just one of the numerous perfect beaches the country has to offer. The beaches afford great sailboarding and swimming, but if you want to see what Senegal has to offer, it's best not to get too absorbed with the lazy sands. Senegal is blessed with fertile land and a tremendous population of migrating birds, making it a nature lover's paradise.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

Senegal is organised into 11 regions, each named after their capital:

• Dakar
• Diourbel
• Fatick
• Kaolack
• Kolda
• Louga
• Matam
• Saint-Louis
• Tambacounda
• Thiès
• Ziguinchor

Cities

• Dakar is the capital city.
• Ziguinchor
• Diourbel
• Khaolack
• Kédougou
• Matam
• Touba
• Thiès
• Saint-Louis
• Rufisque

Sights and Activities

Île de Gorée

Goree Island (Ile de Gorée) the smallest district in the city of Dakar. This island has a very large fort on it that was important to trade, although not the slave trade. The island was originally settled in the 15th century because the Europeans needed a place they could defend. With the lack of a natural water source no natives lived on the island, therefore the island made a prefect place to build a fort. The island is home to the House of Slaves (Maison des esclaves), which is one of the oldest houses on the island and also a good museum that shows the horrors of the slave trade. It is placed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Dakar Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque of Dakar is one of the most important religious buildings in Dakar. Designed by French and Moroccan architects, this mosque has inspired many followers of Islam. It was originally opened in 1964 and its square minaret rises to 67 meters. Institut islamique de Dakar is located next door to the mosque and has been a major centre for Islamic research and teaching since 1974. A new library was opened in 2004.

The Great Mosque of Touba

Located at the center of the Mouride holy city, in Touba, is the Great Mosque. Many people think this is one of the largest mosques in all of Africa. Construction was finally completed in 1963 and it has been continuously enlarged and elaborated on ever since. There are five minarets, three large domes and is also the location for the tomb of Amadou Bamba, founder of the Mouride brotherhood of Islam. There is also a good Islamic library near to the Great Mosque.

Other Sights and Activities

• Markets: Shopping in the markets in Senegal is a great way to spend half a day and see traditional life.
• Beaches: Spend some time on the coast of this African nation for a good time.
• Colonial Architecture: Enjoy colonial architecture in cities like Saint-Louis
• Arts: Purchase some traditional arts and tapestries in the city of Thiès, including some famous Birds of Paradise tapestries.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Senegal has a hot and humid tropical climate with temperatures well over 30 degrees Celcius during the day most of the year. Night temperatures are above 20 degrees but can drop below more inland, although it rarely gets colder than 15 degrees. The rainy season lasts from June to October with most rain falling from mid-July to September. The hottest months are February to April when temperatures can rise above 40 degrees Celcius in the east and well above 35 still in the western part and the coastline. In general, rain increases from north to south, the north having semi-arid conditions, the south (border with Guinea Bissau) having more humid conditions year round. The best months are probably November to February with sunny and dry days and still not overly hot.

Getting there

By Plane

Air Senegal International is the national airline of the country and is based at Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport (DKR). International flights include Abidjan, Bamako, Banjul, Bissau, Casablanca, Conakry, Cotonou, Lomé, Lyon, Marseille, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, Paris and Praia in Cape Verde. About 20 other airlines have flights to and from Dakar as well, including South African Airways (Johannesburg), Brussels Airlines (Brussels), Air France to Paris and airlines like those from Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Others are mainly within the West African region.

By Train

Dakar-Bamako train

© All Rights Reserved LuisDafos

Theoretically, a weekly train travels between the capitals of Senegal and Mali. The train is supposed to leave Dakar on Saturdays around 10am, arriving in Bamako just under 48 hours later. In the opposite direction, the train leaves Bamako on Wednesdays at 9.15 am, taking about the same amount of time. Because of works on the railway, the train now (since 2008) leaves every 8 or 9 days and there is no fixed schedule at the moment, so ask around in both cities when the next train is supposed to leave.

By Car

Travelling to and from Senegal with your own vehicle usually is pretty straightforward, as long as you have proper documentation regarding car and insurance papers. Most routes mentioned below can be done by car as well. Senegal is the first country south of the Sahara to enter if you are travelling overland taking the western route through the desert via Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania.

By Bus

To Gambia, there are minibuses and taxis from Dakar going south to Karang and on from there across the border to Barra where the ferry to Banjul is. There are also minibuses and taxis on the route between Ziguinchor in southern Senegal and Serekunda and between Kafountine and Brikama. In eastern Senegal taxis go from Tambacounda to Vélingara and then from Vélingara to Basse Santa Su.
To Guinea, taxis go from Tambacounda in eastern Senegal, to Labé taking around 24 hours. Most traffic passes via Diaoubé (Senegal) and Koundara (Guinea). Some goes via Kedougou (Senegal).
To Guinea Bissau, taxis leave every morning from Ziguinchor for Bissau via the main border post at São Domingos and Ingore taking around six hours. The road is good but with a few rivers, which can cause delays so start early.
To Mali, taxis leave from Tambacounda and to Kidira (three hours). From here you will have to cross the bridge at leading to Doboli, Mali, from where bush taxis to Kayes.
To Mauritania, taxis run regularly from Dakar to the main border point at Rosso, 2 hours from Saint Louis. There are four daily ferries for cars, but travellers without vehicles can also jump onto one of the many pirogues that do the crossing. At the other side, taxis run regularly to to Nouakchott.

By Boat

As for now, there are no regular passenger services to and from Senegal.

Getting around

By Plane

Dakar, St. Louis, Tambacounda and Ziguinchor are served by Air Senegal International.

By Train

The only destinations served by a train that travels about every 10 days are the towns en route between Dakar and Bamako in Mali, including Thiés and Tambacounda.

By Car

You can rent cars in Dakar and several other main towns with international and local companies, but it requires some experience to drive in Senegal, which can be chaotic and some roads are pretty rough, especially after heavy rains. Main roads are tarred though and most are in a good shape. Traffic drives on the right and you need an international driving permit.
Cars are expensive and renting a taxi for a day is usually much cheaper.

By Bus

There are both coach buses (grand cars, cars mourides) as well as minibuses (petit cars, Ndiaga Ndiaye) covering all the main routes between cities and towns. The latter usually are a bit more expensive, and also stop in more places. And then there are the shared taxis, called septplace (seven seat Peugeot 504 and 505) that are faster and a little more expensive. More than seven persons taking place in a car certainly is not an exception. Dakar, Kaolack, Ziguinchor all are served frequently during the day.

By Boat

An excellent service, L'Express du Senegal, links Dakar and Ziguinchor, stoppin in Banjul, Gambia, en route. There are also ferries linking Dakar with Île de Gorée.

Red Tape

The following nationals do not need a visa for Senegal for stays up to 90 days:

Algeria (Official and diplomatic passports only), Austria, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Togo, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States.

Nationals from other countries can obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate of Senegal. Costs range from $10 (1-3 days) to $30 (30-90 days). One month visas are available for about $18.

Money

See also Money matters

Senegal uses the CFA Franc as a currency. The CFA Franc is divided into 100 centimes. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 francs while banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 francs
The exchange range is fixed at approximately 656 CFA Francs for one Euro.

In Senegal the West African CFA Franc (XOF) is used which has the same vallue as the Central African CFA Franc (XAF), but it's not possible to use both currencies in the same country.

Fourteen countries in Africa use this currency, eight in West Africa and six in Central Africa. The West African CFA Franc can only be used in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, while the Central African CFA Franc can only be used in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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