What are the entry requirements ?

Passport and visa service

Formalities and visas for Senegal

For further information

List of the Senegalese embassies and Consulates abroad

Contact your embassy

What time is it ?

Current local time

It is %T:%M %A in Dakar

Summer time

The hottest period is from June to October and is also the monsoon season.

What is the spoken language ?

Official language

French

Other languages spoken

The Wolof for most people, but there is also the Dioula, the Poulaar, the Malinké and the Mandingue. The Wolof is spoken and understood by most of the Senegalese. Dialects are numerous (at least 50, 15 of which are spoken by more than 15,000 people). It is to be noted that since many of the ethnic groups are essentially Muslims, the Wolofs and the Mandingues use the traditional Arab greetings.

Business language

French and Wolof

Getting some knowledge

Consult the website Dicowolof for learning the basics of Wolof.

Free translation tools

Lexilogos - Dictionary and translation tool for Wolof
Lexilogo - Free dictionary arabic-french-arabic
Translated - Free translation arabic-french-arabic
TV5 - Free translation arabic-french-arabic

What is the local currency ?

Domestic currency

CFA Franc BCEAO

ISO Code

XOF

To obtain domestic currency

It is possible to carry one's European cheque book since certain European establishments accept them. Otherwise, it is possible to change currency in the banks (very high commission! ) and in the foreign exchange centers (lower commission). Travelers cheques are accepted only in banks and certain hotels and are liable to exorbitant commissions.
It is also possible to change currency in certain big hotels.

ATMs are easy available in the tourist areas.

Possible means of payment

In Senegal everything is paid in cash.
You can use your credit card in hotels.

Exchange rate on

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)

To find out the locations of ATMs in in Senegal, click on the link to your credit card: Visa, Mastercard or American Express

What is the climate ?

Type of climate

There is tropical climate in the south. The average temperature in the south is 27 degrees C, but very often reaches 40 degrees C in summer. The average temperature in the north is 21 degrees C. The monsoon season : from mid-May to mid-September. The dry period : mid-October to mid-March.

For further information

Au Senegal : website for information on Senegal

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Last updates: February 2012