Is Senegal safe to travel?

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 in particular are singled out. If you travel in the region, keep your level of alertness high. Secondary roads and unpaved tracks are discouraged, above all closest to the Gambian and Guinea-Bissau border, because of mines and banditry. It is therefore advisable to favour the main axes, Ziguinchor–Sénoba via Bignona and Ziguinchor–Cap Skirring, avoiding the night hours and travelling alone.

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.

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.

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. Hotels used mostly by tourists have been attacked, though these assaults did not involve the guests. 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 you could easily be approached by people with illicit or fraudulent aims. The ministry also advises using tour operators of proven experience rather than improvised guides.

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. Avoid photographing public buildings or military installations.

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.