Senegal sits on the westernmost edge of the African continent, bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Guinea and Mauritania, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Senegal almost completely encloses the confederated state of The Gambia.
The country is fairly flat; the highest point is under 2,000 feet. The areas adjacent to the coast and those surrounding the three major rivers (Senegal, Gambia and Casamance) are lush and green compared to the more arid areas in the northeastern part of the country bordering the desert.
The capital, Dakar, is modern by African standards with a major port and bustling activity. Other cities of note are St. Louis in the north, at the mouth of the Senegal River, and Ziguinchor and Cap Skiring, both in the Casamance region. Senegal is home to more than 550 animal species and boasts numerous game reserves.
The climate and weather are pleasantly tropical, with a dry season December to April.
A number of European and African airlines serve the international airport outside Dakar; Air Senegal runs regular flights between major cities in Senegal.
There is an adequate public transportation system in Dakar and other major cities. However, long-distance public transportation is uncommon. The major roads are good but most secondary roads are poorly maintained and difficult to negotiate during the rainy season. The rail network operates between Dakar and Bamako in neighboring Mali with various stops along the way. A regular ferry service operates between Dakar, Banjul (The Gambia capital), Cap Skiring and Ziguinchor. A cruise boat (not a ship) also operates along the Senegal River in the north.
The Senegalese government began in the late 1990s to expand tourism, as evidenced by new hotels in Dakar and along the coast. This effort also involved improving the communications infrastructure, which invited foreign investment. Mobile telephones are abundant, Internet cafes are common in major cities and local and international telephone calls can be made with relative ease and a little patience. The communications infrastructure is far from equal to most European countries, but it is better than most other West African countries and is improving rapidly.
Health facilities, including private medical service providers, can be found in Dakar, Cap Skiring, St. Louis and Ziguinchor. Away from these major centers medical facilities are almost non-existent and low in quality.
The official language is French with many other local languages spoken. Senegalese are conservative people. More than 80 percent of the population is Muslim. Overall the Senegalese can be described as proud and sometimes stern. Westerners still consider Senegal inexpensive, though it is expensive compared to many West African destinations.
Violent personal crime in Senegal is not common but there is a high rate of property crime such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and theft of unattended belongings. In addition, travelers should be aware of the ongoing armed struggle in the Casamance region by rebels fighting for the independence of Casamance from Senegal. Travel in this area especially by road should absolutely be avoided.
For a free map of Senegal and more detailed information, be sure to click on the Destination Brief above.
Please note: the situation in Senegal can be volatile and dynamic. You are encouraged to purchase an Intelligence Brief ($7.50) or Destination Tracker ($25) for complete, up-to-the-minute information on the Country, Security and Health, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Transportation, Communications/Technology, Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language in Senegal.