Passport/Visa Requirements: Travelers from Canada and the U.S. need passports but not visas. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Population: 10,095,000.
Languages: French, Wolof and Pula..
Predominant Religions: Islamic, Christian, Animist..
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 221, country code;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Senegal's currency is the CFA franc, which was linked to the former French franc and now to the euro. It is used in seven other former French colonies in West Africa. There are ATMs throughout Dakar (including the airport) where you can withdraw money in CFA on your home bank account. You can also change money or traveler's checks in banks in all of the major towns. Be forewarned that the euro, not the dollar, rules there, and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to change dollars in certain towns, most notably the crossroads of Tambacounda. Credit cards are accepted only in the more posh hotels, car rental agencies and other tourist-oriented businesses. The CFA's strength speaks well of the national economy, but can be an unpleasant surprise for North Americans expecting a bargain.
| Banking Hours | Top |
Monday-Friday 8-11:15 am and 2:30-4:30 pm.
A 10%-15% service charge is normally included in the bill. Do not pay anyone in the airport baggage-claim area to help with your luggage or get you through customs. It is not necessary and only encourages this predatory practice. Do not tip taxi drivers.
The best time to visit is October-June, when it's as cool, dry and comfortable as it ever gets. The safest time to avoid the rain is mid November-April. But even then, it's hot and humid during the day (but cooler at night). During the rainy season, July-September, the humidity gets very high and the days very hot—it's really a miserable time to go. (Be aware that in the southern part of the country, the rainy season can extend through October.)
| Transportation | Top  |
Leopold Sedar Senghor Airport (DKR) is 9 mi/15 km northwest of Dakar. Air Senegal flies to many cities within the country. Be aware that flights in Senegal are chronically overbooked and cancellations are all too common, so confirm all flights upon arrival in the country. You should also confirm them again within 72 hours of departure.
Trains operate on a sporadic basis. Major routes run from Dakar to Kidira and Dakar to St. Louis. There is some bus service, but it's unreliable and uncomfortable. Most locals travel from town to town by taxi brousse—a van, station wagon or converted pickup truck that waits in a central location and departs when full. Taxis brousses are inexpensive (the prices per seat are fixed), but it can be time consuming to wait for the seats to fill up. Their safety record leaves much to be desired, too. Renting all the seats on a seven-place taxi will give you the flexibility of your own automobile and a driver who knows the area. Another time-saving option is to buy however many places have not yet been claimed when you arrive at the station; you will appreciate the extra space, especially on long hauls. Taxi fares should be agreed upon prior to departure, whether for a cross-town or cross-country trip. Expect to pay more for baggage—again, haggle before getting in.
Rental cars are available with or without a driver, though it is generally much more expensive than hiring out a taxi. If you have thought about renting a car in Africa, Senegal is not a bad place to do it—its flat terrain and paved roads reduce risks. Traffic is only bad near Dakar, but in rural areas be on the lookout for cattle and people crossing the road without looking. Going by car is the most practical and interesting way to visit St. Louis, Djoudj, Ziguinchor, Touba and Niokolo-Koba. You can travel to Casamance through The Gambia by tourist bus (check with your embassy to make sure the area is safe to visit before going). You'll need a cross-over visa to make the short trip.
Adventurous travelers en route to or from Bamako, Mali, will want to consider taking the train. This rail line was originally built by the French in the early 20th century to connect Dakar with the Niger River. It covers 800 mi/1,290 km in more or less 30 hours (no one seems too concerned with on-time performance). Another option is getting off in Tambacounda and taking a car from there. Don't expect the Orient Express: It's best just to relax and enjoy the passing pageantry of Africa. Domestically, trains, as with buses, operate on a sporadic basis. Major routes run from Dakar to Kidira and Dakar to St. Louis.
| For More Information | Top |
Tourist Offices
Canada: Contact the office in the U.S. or the embassy in Ottawa.
U.S.: Senegal Tourist Office, 350 Fifth Ave., Suite 3118, New York, NY 10118. Toll-free 800-443-2527. Fax 212-279-1958. http://www.senegal-tourism.com.
Senegalese Embassies
Canada: Embassy of the Republic of Senegal, 57 Marlborough Ave., Ottawa, ON K1N 8E8. Phone 613-238-6392. Fax 613-238-2695. http://www.ambassenecanada.org.
U.S.: Embassy of the Republic of Senegal, 2112 Wyoming Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20008. Phone 202-234-0540. Fax 202-332-6315. http://usembassy.state.gov/dakar.
Foreign Embassies in Senegal
Canadian Embassy, Rue Gallieni, Dakar (mail address: B.P. 3373, Dakar, Senegal). Phone 221-889-4700. Fax 221-889-4720. http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/dakar.
U.S. Embassy, Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar (mail address: B.P. 49, Dakar, Senegal). Phone 221-823-4296. Fax 221-822-2991.
| Additional Reading | Top |
God's Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Heinemann African Writer's Series).
Under the Neem Tree by Susan Lowerre (Permanent Press).
So Long a Letter by Mariama Bah (Heinemann African Writer's Series).
