Sub Saharan Africa
Senegal
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Still current at: 22 August 2008
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Updated: 25 July 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary, Crime section, Political Situation section (strikes and demonstrations), Local Travel section increase in incidents involving armed separatist groups in the Casamance region; landmines) and Entry Requirements (Visa) section.). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
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Travel Summary
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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 , themain road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring which is often used by groups of tourists .
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Most visits to Senegal are trouble-free. The types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Senegal in 2007 were for dealing with arrests or detentions and hospitalisations.
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Pick pocketing and street crime is common in parts of Dakar. You should take sensible precautions and avoid carrying valuables in public.
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There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We strongly 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 advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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 Plateau and the airport. You should take sensible precautions 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 political 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. There has been an increase in reported incidents in the first half of 2008.
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 landmines, 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.
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. There has been an increase in reported incidents in the first half of 2008.
- In July 2008, approximately 15 cars were ambushed by a group of armed men (presumed to members of the MFDC - Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance) on the road between Ziguinchor and Bignona. The passengers, including a group of foreign touritsts, were robbed and one person was killed.
- In June 2008, approximately seven vehicles were ambushed by a group of armed men near the village of Diegouna. The passengers were robbed and beaten.
- Also in June, suspected members of the MFDC exchanged gunfire with members of the Senegalese army in the area of Tendieme, about 30 km north of Ziguinchor.
- In May 2008, fighting broke out between the Senegalese army and the MFDC near Djibidjone, about 50 km north of Ziguinchor. Both of these clashes resulted in injuries and deaths.
- Also 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 their left ears cut off.
- In February 2008, a large number of vehicles were ambushed by a group of more than fifty armed men about 60 km to the north of Ziguinchor.
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 landmines, 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.
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 wait for the police to arrive at the scene.
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: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm
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: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm
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 is not.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Senegal and there is no gay scene.
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 Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
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, see also “General” below.
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 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 56,000 adults aged 15 or over in Senegal were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.9% 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 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 56,000 adults aged 15 or over in Senegal were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.9% 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 strongly 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 this is How We Can Help.
Registration
We recommend that British passport holders travelling to Senegal register with the British Embassy in Dakar.
Register with 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 this is How We Can Help.
Registration
We recommend that British passport holders travelling to Senegal register with the British Embassy in Dakar.
Register with 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.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Senegal, Dakar, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
20 Rue du Docteur Guillet
Boite Postale 6025
Dakar
Telephone:
(221) 33 823 7392
(221) 33 823 9971
Fax:
(221) 33 823 2766
Email: postmaster@britishcouncil.sn
Office hours:
GMT: (Local Time=GMT)
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1630
Fri: 0800-1230
Website: http://ukinsenegal.fco.gov.uk