World Guide

Senegal

Country · Africa, Western Africa

African Renaissance Monument
Pictured: African Renaissance Monument · Photo: Richard N Horne, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Senegal is located in Western Africa and shares borders with Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. The country has an area of 196,722 square kilometers and a population of about 19 million people, with Dakar serving as its capital. It offers travellers a mix of cultural sites, natural parks, and historic landmarks.

Highlights

The site covers 5 top sights. In the capital city of Dakar, visitors can see the African Renaissance Monument, the House of Slaves, and Pointe des Almadies. Other notable locations across the country include the Great Mosque of Touba and Niokolo-Koba National Park, which is a UNESCO site.

Food and drink

Local dishes to try include Jollof rice, Thieboudienne, Yassa, Dibi, Tapalapa, Domoda, and Thiere.

When to go

The climate data reflects averages at the capital, Dakar. From December to May, temperatures stay between 21 °C and 24 °C with virtually no rain, making it a suitable time for a visit. From July to October, rainfall increases significantly, peaking in August with 170 mm of rain across about 24 rainy days.

Practical notes

The official currency is the West African CFA franc. Spoken languages include French, Wolof, Badyara, and Balanta. Driving is on the right side of the road. The country uses UTC±00:00 time zone, a calling code of +221, country code .sn, and 230 V electricity with plug types C, E, and K.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Senegal

  • Jollof rice
  • Thieboudienne
  • Yassa
  • Dibi
  • Tapalapa
  • Domoda
  • Thiere

Top sights in Senegal

  1. African Renaissance MonumentAfrican Renaissance MonumentDakar
  2. House of SlavesHouse of SlavesDakar
  3. Pointe des AlmadiesPointe des AlmadiesDakar
  4. Niokolo-Koba National ParkUNESCONiokolo-Koba National Park
  5. Great Mosque of ToubaGreat Mosque of ToubaTouba
  6. Museum of Black CivilisationsMuseum of Black CivilisationsDakar
  7. Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, DakarOur Lady of Victories Cathedral, DakarDakar
  8. Djoudj National Bird SanctuaryUNESCODjoudj National Bird Sanctuary
  9. Grand Mosque of DakarGrand Mosque of DakarDakar
  10. Saloum DeltaUNESCOSaloum Delta

UNESCO sites in Senegal →

Weather by month

The warmest month is October, averaging 28 °C. The wettest is August, with about 170 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average temperature, °C222122222325272727282724
Rainfall, mm210004581701372101
Rainy days0010151625261311

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Dakar (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories