What Senegal Offers
There are so many reasons to visit
Senegal, which remains undiscovered by the masses but is steadily
growing in popularity whilst staying true to its roots, offering a
unique, traditional and unspoilt African retreat for those seeking a
cultural break or those who simply want some time away from it all to
enjoy the climate and beaches.
Experience Something Different in Senegal
Although relatively new to British holidaymakers, Senegal has long been a favourite holiday destination for our European neighbours, who, for many years, have enjoyed the warm welcome, the sandy beaches, the excellent service and cuisine, and the variety of activities on offer. We're sure you'll find something here to beguile and charm you.Senegal sits on the Atlantic Ocean, at Africa’s most westerly point between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, with The Gambia, almost entirely enclosed within it.
Senegal enjoys a steadily warm, year round climate, with a short rainy season between the months of June and October. As such it provides the perfect weather for a lazy beach holiday, especially in the Saly region just south of Dakar; but Senegal also has three mighty rivers and these provide a good deal of fertile land and some wonderfully intricate coastal lagoons and waterways that are a joy to explore.
These fertile waters support a great wealth of wildlife including numerous birds from coastal waders to large raptors, and various mammal species such as warthogs, hyenas, monkeys, baboons, manatees and dolphins.
Yet some might argue that Senegal's greatest draw is its thriving culture, which draws from centuries of the region's tribal history and also the many incursions from outside cultures, including the Islamic marabouts who came to the area from Northern Africa, and the French who were the dominant imperial power during the 19th and 20th century until independence in 1960.
These myriad influences have fused into an eclectic whole, which you can see in the local dress, music, cuisine and architecture.
Many of the ethnic groups of The Gambia and Senegal are related, so share many customs and indigenous languages. The Senegalese are as welcoming and friendly as their Gambian cousins and you are guaranteed a warm welcome by its people who adhere to the traditional values of respect for others, good manners and hospitality.
With an ever-shining sun, beautiful scenery, a relaxed pace of life and excellent hospitality, Senegal is just waiting to be discovered!
Entry Requirements - Visas
Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Senegal. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure; we suggest six months. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service. Also see the General section of this advice.
Passport and Visas
Since July 2013 visa is requiered to travel to Senegal, you can get any further information frome your local senegales embassyBy plane
Delta Air Lines flies to Dakar on most of their US-Africa services, service from Atlanta and JFK airport takes roughly 8 hours. South African Airways flies direct from New York and Washington-Dulles in just about 7 hours (8.5 on the return trip). Other airlines route through Europe such as Brussels Airlines (Brussels), Air Senegal International (Paris-Orly), Air France (Paris-CDG), Alitalia (Milan), Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca), Iberia (Madrid), TAP (Lisbon) and others (5.5 to 6 hours). There are flights from various parts of Africa operated by Virgin Nigeria (Lagos), Kenya Airways (Nairobi), Air Ivoire (Abidjan) and others.By car
It is possible but a little bit difficult to get into Senegal by car. Senegal prohibits the import of cars that are more than eight years old, but if you are only staying for a short while, and agree to take your car out of the country, you should (eventually) be allowed through, but this cannot be guaranteed.By train
A railway between Dakar & Bamako, Mali has fallen into disrepair and no longer runs as of 2012. The line was fixed (although much of it remained original track from around 1918) in the 2000s and run with used carriages/locomotives from India, but operation became sporadic by the end of the decade and the operator went bankrupt. The track remains, so keep an eye out for resumption of service in the future.Get around
Taxi, taxi-brousse, taxi-clando, car-charette, and transport commun (cars rapides) Buslines in Dakar and around Dakar are maintained by DDD ( Dakar Dem Dikk Transports en commun de Cap Vert), now managed by a private company and called Dakar Demm Dikk. Car hire is available in Dakar (city and airport) and sometimes in MBour and Saly Portudal. A list of the car hire companies can be found here: [3].The main method of travel around the country is by sept places (from French for "seven seats," literally questionable station wagons in which they will pack seven people so that you are basically sitting on the next person's lap throughout the journey). You can also come with a group and rent out an entire sept place, but this will be expensive. If you are obviously a tourist, they will try to rip you off, so make sure to set a price before you agree to a driver. There are set prices to often-travelled locations. The price per seat from Dakar to Ziguinchor, for example, is 9500 CFA.
Keep in mind that if you wish to drive your own car, there are few street signs (mostly speed limits) and almost all of them are disregarded. Many streets are considered one way, but are never marked as such, and there are almost no stop signs. Heavy traffic areas such as Dakar are best left to experienced drivers and the bold. To get around, one must be willing to dart into traffic, or else, stay stuck at an intersection for a while.
Recently, a new tollway was opened near Dakar that allows you to drive around Rufisque. Especially during peak hours, this is worth the 400 CFA (for a regular car), as traffic jams in Rufisque can easily tak
Hotel Standards in Senegal
Senegal has a fast growing reputation both for the quality of its hotels and also for the exceptional standards of service on offer.We have a range of hotels in the Sine Saloum Delta and the beach resorts of Saly and La Somone.
Although relatively new to British holidaymakers, Senegal has long been a favourite holiday destination for our European neighbours, who, for many years, have enjoyed the warm welcome, the sandy beaches, the excellent service and cuisine, and the variety of activities on offer.
We offer a range of hotels, ensuring there is something to suit everyone from the unique and original, to the small and romantic, to the elegant and luxurious. All are of a high standard with prime positions on sandy beaches or on the river.
Activities & Excursions
Senegal could be considered primarily a beach holiday destination, but in truth there are a whole host of activities to explore - from birdwatching, golf, watersports and much more.There are also a number of organised excursions available, all designed to help you explore the history, culture, landscape and wildlife of this beautiful country.
Excursions
We offer a range of excursions to enable our guests to experience the most of what Senegal has to offer.
Senegal Brochure
Talk
- See also: Wolof phrasebook
The Senegalese people learn French in school and it is a very useful language for travellers to know. While some Senegalese merchants speak English, most business is conducted in French or Wolof. Other languages used in Senegal include Sereer, Soninke, Pulaar, Jola, and Mandinka are spoken.
The basic Muslim greeting is often used: Salaam Aleikum - Peace to you. The response is Waleikum Salaam - And unto you peace.
See
Do
- Fathala Reserve, (at Karang just north of the border to Gambia), ☎ ''221'' 776379455 (sarra@orange.sn), [4]. open all year. Go an a 3-hour mini-safari in your own car or hire an off-road car at the reserve. You will see giraffes, rhinos, elands, antilopes, many birds 10000.
Maps
Tourist maps are available at the tourist offices (see au-senegal.com for that one).[International Driving Permit (IDP)
If you want to explore the country by (rented) car, you need one.Vaccines
A yellow fever vaccine is required (and proof) to enter the country. It is, however, not checked on a regular basis.Mosquito repellents
Buy at least a mosquito net (preferably permethrin-impregnated) and a good repellent (preferably DEET-based). Also, many outdoor retailers in the US sell bottles of Permethrin that can be washed into clothing and will remain in the garment for a month before the effectiveness of the product wears off and should be reapplied.Eat
Be careful with food prepared by the road, as it could be cooked in unsanitary conditions. Western-style meals are available and can be found at restaurants in various parts of Dakar, Thies, Saint Louis and other towns and near the big hotels in the Petite Côte and in some other touristic regions of the country, too. If you really want to try the genuine Senegalese food, you can buy it at restaurants serving Senegalese dishes; or alternatively, you can make it yourself with the food gathered fresh from the markets or supermarkets.The official dish of Senegal is ceebu jen (or thebou diene) -- rice and fish. It comes in two varieties (red and white -- named for the different sauces). The Senegalese love ceebu jen and will often ask if you've ever tried it, and it is definitely part of the experience. Even better if you get the chance to eat with your hands around the bowl with a Senegalese family! Keep your eyes out for the delicious, but elusive ceebu jen "diagga", which is served with extra sauce and fish balls. Other common dishes are Maafe, which is a rich, oily peanut-based sauce with meat that is served over white rice. "Yassa" is a delicious onion sauce that is often served over rice and chicken, "Yassa poulet" or with deep fried fish "Yassa Jen."
Drink
If you intend to explore the arid area of Senegal (Saint-Louis & Ferlo), you need to drink several liters of water a day. Even in Dakar, dehydration is possible during warmer months if you do not drink enough water each day.Work
There are many opportunities for people to make a difference in Senegal. Projects Abroad [5] is a volunteer organisation based in St Louis with opportunities to help out teaching English, caring for underprivileged children, teaching sport or being a human rights advocate amongst other things. Volunteers get to stay with local host families, which is a huge honour.Learn
Stay safe
Although highly exaggerated, there is still fighting going on in the Casamance region of Senegal.The "struggle" goes on between the government and the MFDC or Mouvement des forces démocratiques de la Casamance. It would be wise to avoid travel to this area. If this is not possible, at least first check with the embassy for the latest situation. To find out how much the situation has improved look at this IRIN News report: [6]
In Dakar, take care when walking the streets: petty theft and scams are abundant. You will be approached by aggressive street vendors who will follow you for several blocks. If refused, often accusations of 'racism" will be leveled at non-local, non-buyers. Also, pickpockets use the following two-person tactic: one (the distraction) will grab one of your leg while the other (the thief) goes into your pocket. If someone grabs your clothing, beware the person on the other side more. Wear pants/shorts with secure (buttons or snaps) pockets and leave your shirt untucked to cover your pockets.
Be cautious of people claiming to have met you before or offering to guide you. Often at times, you will be led to a remote location and robbed. Women need to be particularly alert as they are frequently targeted at beaches or markets.
Finally, there have been instances of street stall vendors grabbing cash out of non-local shoppers hands and quickly stuffing the money into their own pocket. After the money is in their pocket, they claim it is theirs and the victim is not in a position to prove otherwise or protest effectively. Be careful with your cash: do not hold it in your hand while bargaining.
Be sure to carry some sort of identification on you. Police pull over vehicles and check for proper papers occasionally. If caught without your passport (copy of a passport is recommended), the police may try to bribe you of money; they may even go as far as to take you to the station. While most of the time, they are bluffing and one should not give into such corruption, some officials may be wicked enough to do so. Use this advice with caution. The simplest way to prevent this is just to carry identification.
Stay healthy
Get necessary vaccines before arrival. Officially, certification of yellow fever vaccine is required upon arrival if coming from a country in a yellow fever zone, but it is not commonly checked.Take anti-malarials.
Avoid tap-water, and all dishes prepared with them. Bottled water, such as Kirene which is most common and bottled in Senegal, is widely available and inexpensive.
To prevent serious effects of dehydration, it is wise to carry around packets of rehydration salts to mix with water, should you become dehydrated. These are widely available at pharmacies and are inexpensive. Alternatively, a proper mix of table salt and sugar can replace these.
Respect
The primary religion in Senegal is Islam, and most Senegalese are extremely devout Muslims. It's important to be respectful of this because religion is very important in Senegalese life. However, don't be afraid to ask questions about Islam -- for the most part, Senegalese people love to talk about it!Greet everyone when entering a room with "Salaam Aleikum." Always shake hands with everyone. Do not enter mosques and other religious places with your shoes.
Foreign women can expect to get many marriage proposals from Senegalese men. Handle this with a sense of humor - and caution.
As far as dress goes, be aware that anything shorter than knee length is inappropriate. Tank tops are generally accepted in larger towns, but should be avoided as much as possible.
My Favorit home staying site in Senegal
Our days at the Hotel suivate unfolded the way: we woke up at 10am for a nice brunch with the head of the kitchen, which was all the time on site offering to those who desired her wonderful recipe for omelet with bacon beef or pork.
After breakfast we went for a walk to the village of Saly, or directly to the pool to enjoy it until lunch time.
after eating we paid a fart nap before going to connect to the internet to meet the many letters that come to us each day from our friends and relatives.
In the evening we often went to the beach which 100metres to enjoy the maximum possible, for the short time we had.
Oh do not forget to enjoy the many water activities you can have, as well as other visits ,steeplechasing and natural parks and other places of historical and tourist interest of zonne, zodiac, quad bike, while field or simply bicycle, you can live miltitudes adventures or activities and natural resources , it is just to talk to the management of the hotel or tour operator.
Base Nautica de Saly- portudal
