West and Central Africa · Senegal

Hi, after a flight delayed by more than 24 hours, can I file a compensation claim with the airline (where they told me they’re in financial trouble!) and at the same time with a specialized compensation claim website?

Hi everyone, I’d like to travel to Senegal with my two dogs—an Amstaff and a French Bulldog (who can’t fly). I’m wondering if you think it’ll be complicated or if the formalities are easy to sort out. I’m giving myself a year to prepare for this trip.

Thanks in advance for your replies

Tonight on Channel 5 Échappées belles in SENEGAL

https://television.telerama.fr/tele/magazine/echappees-belles,6640,emission162356169.php

Hi, I’ve read on several forums and blogs that to enter Senegal by motorcycle, some say you need a CPD, others say an ATA carnet, and others say no carnet at all. What’s the real deal? My bike is over 10 years old. Thanks

Hey riders (or not) 😉 For those who’ve already done it and know the route, could you tell me where to make stops (hotels, guesthouses) between Laayoune and Nouakchott, for example? And what’s the minimum range needed to get between two gas stations? Thanks and have a great day

Hi everyone!

I’ve been following this forum for a while to gather some info about the journey I’m currently on. So, this is my first post here.

Here’s the scoop! For over fifteen years, I’ve been connected to Cape Verde by heart and by blood. An uncle of mine settled there about thirty years ago and opened a sailing school on the island of Boavista. Sadly, he passed away and is now buried in Praia, but I still have cousins and many friends in the country. I’ve spent quite a few stays there, some longer than others, and I’m starting to get by in Creole.

A few years ago, I had the urge to travel from France to Cape Verde by road. Not just going from point A to point B by plane, but taking the time to measure the space between my birth country and my adopted one. To see the landscapes, cultures, and people that separate them. I hit the road two weeks ago, heading toward Dakar. Right now, I’m in El Jadida, Morocco, traveling mainly by bus.

But here’s the point of my request: once I’m in Senegal, I plan to find a sailboat or cargo ship heading toward the Cape Verde islands. I expect to be between Saint-Louis and Dakar around mid-August. So, I’m open to any tips for this crossing or to being put in touch with a sailboat planning the trip around that time.

I’m not a sailor, but I’ve got some basic sailing knowledge from my uncle that I’d love to improve. And I can kill time by holding my own on a chessboard!

Cheers,

Bertrand.

PS: I know there are flights from Dakar to Praia, but I’d really prefer not to end my trip in a flying metal cage!

January 2025 We had to negotiate hard to get an official yellow taxi at the airport to go to Yene, one of the villages closest to the airport. Exchange rate at the airport was bad: 630 XOF for 1 €. Taxi fare: 15,000 XOF = 24 €. It’s still quite far from the airport. The driver won’t know the place, so it’s better to have the location saved on a GPS like Organic Maps or similar.

La Résidence Keur Fleurie in Yene Hotel fleurie residence Address: Route de Toubab Dialaw Phone: +221 78 484 95 95 19,000 CFA (about 30 €) for two people per night. Dinner was a single dish for 5,000 CFA (very expensive for just one plate). Breakfast: 2,500 CFA. The place is in a very small fishing village. No restaurants, no bars. If you go there, you’ll have to eat and have breakfast on-site. There’s nothing to do in the area in the evening. The room and bathroom are nice, the beds are comfortable—one large and one small. The Wi-Fi barely works. There are mosquitoes. You’ll need to ask for towels, top sheets, and blankets if needed. To get back to the city, take bus 228 to the train station. You’ll need to go to the paved road and wait. Bus fare: 500 XOF. You arrive at Bargny station, and surprisingly, there’s a high-standard train—cleaner and more efficient than the best TER trains. It’s almost unreal. The cheap train takes you into Dakar. Just choose the station closest to your destination.

Apartment Villa Lumière Tel +221 77 710 91 79 Address: Scat Urbam (Hlm Grand Yoff) Rue Gy 178 in Dakar If you see this apartment on booking.com, **do not go**—it’s a dump. Don’t trust the photos, unless you’re into "roots"-style places, then it’s up to you. For one night without booking: 12,000 CFA for two people. One large bed, no Wi-Fi. It feels like walking into a squat. Once inside the apartment, it’s better, but everything is run-down. The guy is very nice, but this apartment has no business being on an online booking site!

Gorée Island There are several departures per day. Crossing takes half an hour. Price: 5,000 CFA.

To Saint Louis From Liberté 6, Demdick buses leave twice a day. They’re comfortable but often full, so book in advance. Price: 5,000 CFA, and it takes 5 hours to get there. First night at Chez Marie, found on Airbnb. It’s not on the island—it’s in the Balacos neighborhood, Rue BL 16 or 14, near Rue Modu Sow Ousmane. The house is nice and quiet. The hosts take great care of you. The room is good, with Wi-Fi, and breakfast is included in the price. Price for two people: 20,000 CFA (30 €).

Another hotel on the island: Hôtel du Palais. Rue Ababacar (Tel: (221) 33 961 17 72 / 78 137 47 07). 25,000 CFA (39 €) for two people without breakfast. It’s the cheapest we could find. It’s old-fashioned. In the bathroom, there’s no water pressure in the shower, though it’s hot. You’ll have to ask multiple times—or even harass them—to get top sheets, blankets if needed, and towels. The mattresses aren’t comfortable—one large bed and one small. Wi-Fi in the room. Prices in Saint Louis are very high, and the quality of the hotels really doesn’t justify such steep rates.

Restaurants: (in my opinion) One of the best is Le Fleuve Plus. Rue Blaise Diagne. The best: La Linguère, on the same street.

Shared taxi (7-seater) to Rosso, Senegal, to cross the border into Mauritania (the border is the Senegal River). Go to the garage (bus/taxi station). From there, only shared 7-seater taxis make the trip, and they only leave when full. In front of each spot, a sign indicates the taxi’s destination. It costs 2,500 CFA—if you’re lucky. Otherwise, they’ll charge you an extra 500 CFA for luggage. If you can, choose the seat next to the driver (by far the best). Ironically, you have to wear a seatbelt even though the taxi is a rolling wreck! Otherwise, pick the seats behind the driver and prioritize the window side. The back seats are very uncomfortable.

By contacting hotels directly, you won’t pay the booking.com fee, which can add up to several euros.

Hi there, We’re heading to Senegal for the first time at the end of February as a group of four, and we’re eager to make the most of our 7 days. So, not much (if any) downtime—just a heads-up! ;) For such a short trip, we’ve had to make some tough choices. We’ve decided to skip Lompoul due to the 24/7 noise and light pollution from the mine. Casamance is too far for this time around. We love animals and birds (and it seems late February/early March is still a good time to spot migratory birds). We’re planning to rent a car. Putting all these factors together, here’s the rough itinerary we’ve come up with: - Day 1: Dakar, Gorée - Day 2: Kayar, Saint-Louis, Lac de Barbarie - Day 3: Makhana, Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, Lac de Barbarie - Day 4: Drive to Somone - Day 5: Bandia, Somone - Day 6: Saloum Delta - Day 7: Saloum Delta - Day 8: Return to Dakar Airport

What do you think? How much extra does it cost, roughly, to hire a guide compared to just renting a car on our own? Thanks so much for your insights—we really appreciate it! Christophe

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Senegal at the end of March/beginning of April. I’d love to know if the ocean is warm. Thanks in advance for your replies

Hi everyone : WARNING!!!! driver-guide in SENEGAL I’m posting this just to warn you about this person: Jean Marie DIOUF Here’s his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552651919372&sk=reviews He advertises himself as a cheap driver-guide at first, then raises the price but asks you to send a deposit for a so-called reservation of your dates. To gain your trust, he puts his so-called French wife on the phone with you. In the end, you won’t see your money again!!!! Please share this 😡

Hello, In late February, a small group of us who are passionate about botany would like to walk through a baobab forest. However, we’ve read that more and more baobab forests in Senegal have been declassified. Which forests (aside from the treetop adventure park) are still the most interesting to visit? Is it still possible to see landscapes of baobabs (not just one or two isolated trees)?

Thank you, and have a great evening! Christophe

Hello fellow travelers, I've made the France-Benin trip several times via the Mali "Route de l'Espoir," and the last journey was pretty tense—2013, 🥵‍🔥 military convoys and all the chaos in Mali from the border to Bamako. 😅 So, I’m planning to take the route again but this time via Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, with a good old J9 (the mayor’s vehicles I used to travel in… 😎. Though the Mercedes 308 wasn’t bad either). Has anyone done this recently? A friend of mine did it 4 years ago, but things can change pretty quickly. If you’d like to share your latest experiences, I’m all ears! 😊 Have a great weekend! 👋

We’re crossing West Africa all the way to Togo. Is a DPD carnet required, or is an ATA carnet enough? Where can I get one? I’d love some advice from seasoned travelers on this. Thanks

I'm looking to print a standard police form because I'm traveling to Senegal in a motorhome in early 2025. I saw on the forum that it's highly requested in Mauritania, Senegal, and even Guinea by police or military on the roads. Thanks for your help.

The tours offered by tour operators in France don't work for me, except for TUI—its 15-day itinerary is great but too expensive for my budget. I’m planning to travel with my sister in March or April 2025 and would love to find a local agency that offers tours, even in small groups. Thanks for your suggestions! Tanya6675

Hello!



I invite you to share our wonderful discovery of Saint-Louis and its surroundings: Djoudj Park and the Langue de Barbarie... Daily life, heritage, landscapes, and wildlife (birds)...

We stayed in Senegal for 10 days in April/May 2018, specifically in Saint-Louis, Senegal, since we were there for the Jazz Festival held every year. But we took the opportunity to explore this country we didn’t know!

In this travel journal, you’ll find: - A short stop in Gorée, which we visited before heading to Saint-Louis - The different faces of Saint-Louis, especially the vibrant fishermen’s district - Djoudj Park, with its many birds - The Langue de Barbarie ... and much more!

Before going to Senegal, I did some research on this forum and others. So many strong opinions about Senegal—you either love it or hate it! If it hadn’t been for the festival, we might not have gone... What a shame that would’ve been, because we loved it!

Of course, I saw poverty, idleness, and litter, especially plastic bags—a global scourge. A bit of harassment from street vendors, especially at first when you don’t know how to deflect it and accidentally encourage it. The privileges of a social class and inequalities, though that’s something you encounter in many poor countries, not just in Africa.

But when I close my eyes and remember our trip, what stays with me is the youth, the beauty of so many boys and girls, the elegance of the women, and the sparkle in their eyes and smiles. The light and colors, the smell of grilled fish, the taste of freshly roasted peanuts and baobab fruit. The honking horns, the call of the muezzins, the music, the bursts of laughter.







To be continued...