Social ConventionsGreetings are appropriate when coming across local people, especially in the bush, and the visitor should make the effort to learn these in one of the local languages. Handshaking on meeting, regardless of how many times a day one meets the person, is normal. When visiting a village, it is polite to call upon the village headman or schoolteacher to explain that you want to spend the night there or visit the area. They will often act as interpreter and will be helpful guides to the customs of the village and also in terms of money, ensuring that a traveller does not
find himself in the embarrassing position of paying for hospitality that was given in friendship. Return hospitality with a gift of medicines, food or money for the community. It is not advisable to give money indiscriminately as tourists have encouraged the practice of begging. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Scanty swimwear should be reserved for the beach. Smoking is prohibited in some public places (especially mosques).
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Air Senegal International (DS) (website:
www.air-senegal-international.com).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsDakar (DKR) (Leopold Sedar Senghor) is 17km (10.5 miles) northwest of the city (journey time – 25 minutes).
To/from the airport: Regular coach and bus services go to and from Dakar. Metered taxis are available.
Facilities: Duty-free shop, bar/restaurant, bank/bureau de change, post office and car hire.
There are two other operating airports in
Cap Skirring and
Saint Louis.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Dakar (website:
www.portdakar.sn).
There are regular
sailings from the Canary Islands, France, Morocco, Spain and several South American and West African ports.
Getting There by RailThere is a passenger train with restaurant and sleeping cars, running to/from Bamako, Mali. The journey can take 30 to 36 hours but expect four to 12 hour delays.
Getting There by RoadRoads from Mauritania are tarred and in good condition; the best place to cross the border is at Rosso. Roads from Guinea-Bissau are not yet tarred; there is a border crossing at São Domingo. There is a route from Senegal to Mali via Tambacounda. There is access across the Sahara by a 5,500-km (2,120-mile) road that runs from Algeria via Mali. The trans-Gambian highway crosses the River Gambia by ferry.
There is a good network of
buses and
taxis running across the major borders.
OverviewThe following may be imported into Senegal by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco;
one bottle of wine, one bottle of alcohol, a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use;
gifts up to the value of XOF5000.
There is no free import of spirits.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir Senegal runs services to all the main towns in Senegal.
Gambia Air Shuttle offers flights from Dakar to Banjul (The Gambia).There are aerodromes in Ziguinchor, Podor and Tamba.
NoteDeparture taxNone.
Getting Around by WaterIt is often quicker to travel by sea than road. A replacement ferry from Dakar to Ziquinchor (travel time - 20 hours) had its maiden voyage in 2005 after the Joola Ferry disaster of 2002. Sea shuttles depart regularly from Dakar harbor to the Île de Gorée. An excellent new service,
L’Express du Senegal, links Banjul, Dakar and Ziguinchor. Fares tend to be high.
Getting Around by RailThe country has a network of about 1225km (761 miles) of rail track. Trains run from Dakar to towns en route for Bamako in Mali. There is an ongoing program of upgrading and expansion. Children under three travel free. Children aged three to nine pay half fare.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. There are approximately 3900km (2423 miles) of asphalt roads linking the major towns and the coastal region. The network of roads in the interior is rough (about 10,400km/6460 miles in total) and may become impassable during the rainy season; it is not advisable to drive at night. There are often police checkpoints at the entrance and exit to villages to enforce speed restrictions; fines are paid on the spot.
Bus: There are many buses available for short distances as well as mini-buses (known locally as
car rapide), which are cheaper if less efficient. Fares are usually up to XOF100. Long-distance services operate subject to demand only.
Taxi: Available in most towns and fares are metered with a surcharge of XOF100. Rates increase after midnight. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than arrange to be collected from the hotel. Bush taxis and estate cars are good for journeys into the interior.
Car hire: Companies are found in Dakar and the main towns.
Documentation: A French or International Driving Permit and Green Card are required.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBus and minibus services operate in Dakar.
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