Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
A World Heritage wetland on the Senegal River where millions of migratory birds gather in winter, including pelicans and flamingos. Boat trips in the channels are the main way to see them.
Saint-Louis
A well-known jazz festival, fishing boats and faded pastel houses mark this colonial island city, which has UNESCO status.
Attractive locations
Langue de Barbarie National Park
A narrow sand spit between the Atlantic Ocean and the river, with beaches, dunes and many birds. Fishing boats and the nearby village add to the scene.
Guembeul Nature Reserve
A small reserve south of Saint-Louis with tortoises, gazelles and many birds in a coastal setting. Guided walks and a viewpoint are the main features.
St. Louis Cathedral
A colonial-era cathedral in the historic island quarter, with a plain white facade and a calm interior. It stands among old buildings that give the town its character.
Island of Saint-Louis
The old colonial heart of Saint-Louis, a long narrow island in the Senegal River lined with faded pastel buildings and wrought-iron balconies. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is pleasant to explore on foot.
Faidherbe Bridge
An iron bridge from the 19th century linking Saint-Louis island to the mainland across the Senegal River. It is one of the city's best-known landmarks, with views of the river and fishing boats.
Lompoul Desert
A small area of rust-orange dunes between Dakar and Saint-Louis, close to the Atlantic coast. Visitors come for camel rides, sunsets and overnight stays in desert camps.
Airports
Blaise Diagne International Airport DSS
It is about 163 km in a straight line from Saint-Louis.
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.
- Jan22.4 °C3 mm
- Feb23.2 °C9 mm
- Mar24.9 °C38 mm
- Apr25.4 °C2 mm
- May26.7 °C0 mm
- Jun28.2 °C10 mm
- Jul28.7 °C65 mm
- Aug28.8 °C123 mm
- Sep28.9 °C109 mm
- Oct29.1 °C20 mm
- Nov26.6 °C1 mm
- Dec23.7 °C0 mm
Driest months: May, Nov, Dec. 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