Safety and emergencies
Areas advised against, risks on the road and in town, scams and numbers to keep with you. Advice varies with the country that publishes it.
Areas advised against
Advised against except for essential travel by France: border areas with Mali and part of the Mauritanian border (Matam department), and the borders of Casamance with The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau away from the main roads. Do not leave paved roads (areas still to be demined) and do not enter classified forests.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyCasamance can be visited with heightened vigilance, using the main roads (Diouloulou-Bignona-Ziguinchor, Sénoba-Bignona-Ziguinchor-Cap Skirring, Nioro du Rip-Sénoba), not alone and not at night. The Cap Skirring hotel area presents no particular danger.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: regional risks
Terrorism and kidnapping
The terrorist threat is real in several neighbouring countries and on the Malian border: be especially careful in the east and stay away from the border with Mali.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: regional risks
Crime
In Dakar, muggings, burglaries and pickpocketing are rising, sometimes with weapons, including in hotels used by foreigners. The Corniche is risky on foot after dark. If attacked, stay calm and do not resist.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: safety and securityAssaults are not rare in tourist areas (from Somone and Saly to Joal, Lac Rose), notably during burglaries of rental villas. They increase before major holidays (Tabaski, Korité).
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safety
In town
At Blaise Diagne airport, beware of fake drivers who claim to know you: book transport through your accommodation or an authorised operator and check the ID of whoever collects you.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: safety and securityFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyDemonstrations can turn violent and block roads, including the road between the airport and Dakar: stay away and remain at your hotel if in doubt.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: safety and security
On the road
Accidents are very frequent and many vehicles are poorly insured. Badly signed speed bumps, avoid tracks in the rainy season (July to October), no intercity journeys at night. Seat belts are compulsory in front.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyAfter an accident, stay at the scene without moving the vehicle until a bailiff or police officer has made a report; if a hostile crowd gathers, stay calm or go to the nearest police station.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Senegal
Scams
Online scams are common: fake humanitarian organisations, sextortion, romance scams, requests for money or bank details. Always verify who you are dealing with.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safetyBeware of fake notes when changing money: use ATMs or reputable exchange offices.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: safety and securityGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Senegal
Sea, climate and natural hazards
In the rainy season (July to October), violent storms cause sudden flooding that blocks roads, including in Dakar: do not drive during storms.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safety
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Ambulance 15, fire 18, police and gendarmerie 17, national gendarmerie +221 800 00 20 20.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Central police station, Dakar
Police.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Senegal
Passport: FranceFrench embassy in Dakar.
1, rue El Hadji Amadou Assane Ndoye, BP 4035, Dakar+221 33 839 51 00France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of Canada in Senegal
Passport: CanadaConsular assistance for Canadians (also covers Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau). Appointments online.
Angle des rues Galliéni et Amadou Cissé Dia, Dakar+221 33 889 47 49dakar-consular@international.gc.caGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Senegal· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Senegal, safety · Source updated: September 29, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: regional risks · Source updated: May 13, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Senegal travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: May 13, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: Senegal · Source updated: September 28, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.