Crime

 

Pick pocketing and street crime, including in taxis and occasionally violent, are common in parts of Dakar, particularly around Place de l’Independence, the central area of the Plateau, the Western Corniche, and at the airport. You should take sensible precautions, avoid walking alone in the late afternoon and after dark, and avoid carrying valuables in public.

 

If you’re expecting a greeter or driver to collect you at the airport, make sure they properly identify themselves before you set off. Bogus greeters are known to operate at the airport.

 

Foreign nationals are increasingly being targeted by scam artists operating in West Africa. The scams come in many forms (romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities) and can pose great financial risk to victims. You should be very cautious about any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa, including from people who claim to be victims of various Western African conflicts (notably refugees from Sierra Leone) or relatives of present or former political leaders.

 

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 banditry, particularly in the regions of Bignona and Sindian.

 

There has been an increase in clashes between the Senegalese army and suspected elements of the armed separatist group MFDC (Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance) resulting in injuries and deaths. Cars and local buses have been ambushed and their passengers robbed, sometimes violently, by armed men.

 

You should avoid all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring (which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours) and on the main road north of the Guinea-Bissau/ Senegal border, from Sao Domingos to Ziguinchor (N4 bis (Route National 4 bis).  If you travel on either of these two routes, you should do so only during daylight hours and monitor the local security situation before travelling. The N4 and N5 roads in the Casamance region are closed each night from 18:00 to 06:00.

 

Land mines remain a problem in Casamance and de-mining operations are continuing. Organisations operating in Casamance have recorded several hundred deaths from land mines since 1990, most of which have been of civilians, including a foreign national who was killed when her vehicle hit a newly placed mine on an unpaved road. You should take local advice and stick to paved roads.

 

Take care if you are travelling near the border with the Republic of Guinea as there is an increased military presence.

 

Road travel

 

While some main roads are of good quality, other roads can be poor especially during the rainy season from July to October. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling during the rainy season.

 

Driving standards are unpredictable. Some taxis and public mini-buses (‘car rapide’) are not roadworthy by EU standards.

 

Traffic in the Dakar area is heavy and you should take particular care and attention to avoid accidents. Driving after dark is more dangerous because of poor street and vehicle lighting. If you do have an accident you must contact the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene. In more remote areas you may need to go directly to the nearest police station to report the incident there.

 

Political situation

 

Avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people as they can quickly turn violent.

 

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 so that they don’t offend others, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

 

In 2015, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start on 18 June and finish on 18 July. 

 

You should 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 in public is not.

 

There is no gay scene in Senegal and article 319 of the penal code states that “an indecent or unnatural act with an individual of the same sex is punishable by 1-5 years imprisonment”.

 

Money

Credit cards are accepted in larger establishments that cater for tourists. Commission is added for their use. There are ATMs in Dakar, but banking facilities are sporadic in the rest of the country.

 

Health

 

Facilities in Dakar are reasonable but are limited in the rest of Senegal. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in Senegal, especially during the rainy season (July-October).

 

There are occasional outbreaks of cholera.

 

The UNAIDS 2013 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic estimated that around 37,000 adults aged 15 or over in Senegal were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.5% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.25%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

There’s been an acute shortage of tap water in Dakar since mid-September. The state water company is working to fix the main supply line.

 

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Take particular care in remote areas of Senegal near the border areas with Mauritania and Mali, and to the east of the city of Podor as far as Kidira.

 

There is a threat of kidnapping in the wider Sahel region. You should take particular care in remote regions and border areas.

 

Entry requirements

Visas

 

As of 1 May 2015, you don’t need a visa to travel to Senegal. If you intend to stay in Senegal for longer thantlyonths, you’ll need to register with local authorities to get a ‘Carte d’Etranger’.

 

UK emergency travel documents

 

UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry into and transit through Senegal.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.