House of Slaves
A memorial museum in an 18th-century house, tied to the Atlantic slave trade. Its narrow doorway to the sea is a powerful symbol, and visitors usually come to reflect in silence.
Gorée Island
The House of Slaves on this UNESCO island, reached from Dakar by a short ferry, recalls the Atlantic slave trade.
Attractive locations
Church of Saint Charles Borromeo
A small colonial church on the island's main square, with a simple facade and a quiet interior. It is a short walk from the ferry landing.
Historical Museum of Senegal
A museum in an old fort on the island, covering the history of Senegal from early kingdoms through the colonial period to independence.
Musee de la Mer
A small museum on Goree about marine life and fishing, with displays of local fish and sea creatures. It gives a short, informative break from walking the island.
Gorée Island
A small car-free island just off Dakar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with pastel colonial houses, narrow lanes and small beaches. A short ferry ride away, it is known as a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade.
Airports
Blaise Diagne International Airport DSS
It is about 35 km in a straight line from Gorée Island.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Senegal page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan21.9 °C11 mm
- Feb20.5 °C8 mm
- Mar20.5 °C3 mm
- Apr20.6 °C6 mm
- May22.2 °C2 mm
- Jun24.9 °C14 mm
- Jul26.6 °C79 mm
- Aug27.3 °C191 mm
- Sep27.8 °C170 mm
- Oct28.2 °C49 mm
- Nov26.9 °C9 mm
- Dec24.3 °C13 mm
Driest months: Mar, Apr, May. Wettest months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 36% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 17, ambulance 1515, fire 18 - confirm with your hotel.
local government
Police Secours 17 (Ministry of the Interior)
Helps with: The Interior Ministry's site lists 17 as the police emergency number and a toll-free line 800 00 20 20. It does not mention a tourist police unit.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Senegal, including visitors, who needs the police urgently.
Phone: 17
Email: contact@interieur.gouv.sn
Address: Place Washington, Dakar 4002, Sénégal
local government
Sapeurs-Pompiers 18 (fire brigade)
Helps with: The fire brigade's emergency number, listed as 18 on the Interior Ministry's site, which also lists the toll-free line 800 00 20 20.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Senegal, including visitors, who needs the fire brigade urgently.
Phone: 18
local government
Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion Touristique (ASPT)
Helps with: Senegal's tourism promotion agency, working under the ministry in charge of tourism. It markets the country as a destination and lists a Dakar office, phone and email for enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone planning a trip to Senegal. It is a promotion agency, not an emergency service.
Phone: +221 33 869 61 90
Email: contact@aspt.sn
Address: VDN, Annex Fund Social Security, Building ASPT
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Senegal
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Senegal it works on trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, labour migration and migrant health.
Who qualifies: Migrants, including returnees and child trafficking victims. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +221 33 869 75 30
Email: COdakar@iom.int
Address: Route des Almadies, Zone 3, Dakar, Senegal