DFA Logo

This content from the
Department of Foreign Affairs
has now moved to Ireland.ie/travel. If you are not redirected in five seconds, click here.

Skip to main content

Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Senegal, please see Ireland.ie.

Senegal

If you’re travelling to Senegal our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Health
  • Additional information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

Latest Travel Alert

There have been largescale political demonstrations in Senegal, including in Dakar and other urban centres. A number of these protests have been violent with loss of life and destruction of property. Police have used tear gas to disperse crowds.  The frequency of such demonstrations has decreased since July 2023 due to the stabilisation of the political situation, but may increase in the run up to the Presidential elections in February 2024.

All citizens are advised to be vigilant, avoid unnecessary journeys, keep up to date with local developments, and avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately and monitor local media for up-to-date information.

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Senegal. A 90-day visa is granted on entry to country.

A valid passport is required for travel to Senegal Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months. 

More information on visas and passports can be found here.

Visitors to Senegal are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on Twitter  @IrlEmbDakar to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Senegal by dialling:

  • Police: 17
  • Fire brigade: 18
  • Ambulance: 00221338651818

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

 

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Senegal is a popular destination with tourists and most visits there are trouble-free. However, you should be careful of pickpockets in Dakar, especially at the airport, and in the areas around Place de l’Independance, the central area of the Plateau and the Western Corniche.

We advise travellers to be vigilant about potential scams, particularly business transactions offered over the internet which seem too good to be true or a slow-blossoming internet romance with sudden requests for financial assistance.

The Casasmance region in the south west continues to experience incidents involving armed groups, separatists and clashes between the military and the MFDC (Movement of the Democratic Forces of Casamance). You should avoid all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda, other than daytime travel on the main Ziguinchor to Cap Skiring road or the Sao Domingos to Ziguinchor road. Always monitor the local security situation and local media for security developments. Land mines remain problematic in this area so ensure to stick to paved roads and to take local advice.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal. 

Homosexual activity is illegal in Senegal.

Health

Health

Travel Insurance

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

  • All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
  • Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
  • 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
  • Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
  • Lost and stolen possessions.
  • Cancellation and curtailment.
  • Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

Vaccinations

Check with a doctor what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. You can find out more information about vaccinations on the HSE’s website.

Additional information

Visas/Passports

Entry Requirements (Visas/Passports)

Irish citizens can enter Senegal without a visa for up to 90 days but must provide:

  • evidence of onward/return ticket,
  • proof of sufficient funds,
  • documentation showing purpose of trip and next destination,
  • documentation required for next destination.

All passengers should also confirm with airline that boarding may be permitted without a visa.

Passports must be valid for at least 6  months from date of entry into Senegal and have at least one blank page.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad you should contact the Irish Embassy in Abuja. We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you.

What we can do:

  •  Issue an emergency travel document that will get you home;
  •  If required, provide advice on applying for new passport.

You will need a police report if you want to make a claim on your travel insurance. We will not provide you with a travel document without a police report. 

Visas for travel to Ireland

Information for Irish Visa applicants resident in Senegal can be found on the website of the Irish Embassy in Nigeria here.

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

In cases of an emergency outside of regular office hours, the Embassy can be contacted by calling the Duty Officer directly on +221777244837.
Alternatively, you may contact the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 1 408 2000.
During working hours, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Dakar at:

Apartment 7,
Villa Venus,
Fann Residence,
Dakar

Tel: +221 3 38205003

Monday to Thursday 09:00-16:00; Friday 09:00-12:00

Contact us