Safety in Senegal: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 10 February 2026.
Safety
- Mines in Casamance — In the southern Casamance region, between Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, the area south of Ziguinchor still holds mines left by the civil conflict there, the last fatal incident dating to October 2021, and the border zones are the worst. Secondary roads and unpaved tracks are discouraged, above all closest to the Gambian and Guinea-Bissau border, because of mines and banditry. Keep to the main axes, Ziguinchor–Sénoba via Bignona and Ziguinchor–Cap Skirring, avoid the night hours and do not travel alone.
- Mali and Guinea borders — Given the critical security situation across the Sahel, the border areas with Mali and Guinea are discouraged. Overland travel from Senegal into Mali and from Senegal into Guinea is specifically advised against.
- Terrorism — With terrorist groups active across the Sahel belt and West Africa, the risk of attacks and hostile acts against Western citizens and interests cannot be ruled out.
- Crime — Common crime, armed robbery included, is widespread not only in the outer districts of Dakar such as Yoff, Colobane, Grand Dakar and Guediawaye and in tourist areas like Saly and Lac Rose, but also in the Plateau city centre and neighbouring districts, particularly around local festivities. Pickpocketing, phone theft and robbery-motivated assaults are increasing in the big cities and the busiest tourist areas, so avoid isolated places, especially very early and at night, and stay wary in nightspots, on beaches and in resorts where strangers may approach you with fraud in mind. The ministry also advises using tour operators of proven experience rather than improvised guides.
- Documents and photography — Always carry an identity document for police checks, especially at night, and keep a copy somewhere safe: failing to produce one can mean being held or arrested, usually for 48 hours. Do not photograph public buildings or military installations.
- Rainy season — From August to October flooding causes disruption to travel across the whole country, the capital included. There is no adequate water and sewer network to cope with it.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 10 February 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Senegal before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 10 February 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.