Senegal

SAFETY: good
Episodes of common crime (theft, bag-snatching) are mostly confined to the outskirts of Dakar. The western Casamance region, on the other hand, has been considered unstable for years because of separatist groups. Care should also be taken in the outskirts of Dakar and in some border areas affected by illegal trafficking. In general, do not travel alone unless you know the country well.

TRANSPORT: adequate
The country is well connected to the region and to Italy. The national transport system is developed mainly in the western part, particularly in the areas around the cities of Dakar, Kaolack and Saint-Louis. The Senegalese road network is not in good condition. Intercity bus services and short stretches of railway are in operation. A ferry service covers the Dakar-Ziguinchor route. Numerous airports handle domestic traffic (Saint-Louis, Thiès, Ziguinchor, Kaolack, Rosso, Podor, Matam, Tambacounda, Kédougou, Sementi and Kolda). The Senegal River is navigable all year round from Saint-Louis to Podor; the Saloum and Casamance rivers are also navigable.

Main airports: Dakar, Ziguinchor, Kolda.
Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Ziguinchor

ACCOMMODATION: good
A varied range of accommodation is available.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Senegal – Location: a state in West Africa. Borders: it faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west and borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south, and finally The Gambia, which is entirely enclosed within Senegal. Time zone 1 hour behind Italy, 2 hours behind when daylight saving time is in force in Italy. – Area: 196,722 km2 – Capital: Dakar – Population: 12,800,000 – Religion: Muslim (94%), Christian (4%), animist (2%). – Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandinka, Serer. – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: (CFA franc). Anyone arriving in the country with a sum of money in excess of 1,000,000 FCFA (approximately 1,500 euros) is required to declare the amount held by completing a form at the airport customs office. On leaving the country, this declaration must be shown, or else the currency purchase receipt issued during the stay in Senegal by an authorised bank; otherwise the amount of cash allowed out of the country is 500,000 FCFA (approximately 750 euros). Penalties for breaching the regulations in force range from confiscation of the currency concerned to prison sentences of 1-5 years. -  Credit cards: Credit cards (including AmEx, Visa, Mastercard and Diners) are accepted in all the main shops and businesses, and chiefly in the large hotels, as are travellers' cheques in euros. On arrival at the airport you will be asked to complete a detailed personal information form.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz –  Sockets: no adapter is needed. Sockets are the same as in Italy.

DOCUMENTS. A passport is required, with at least 6 months' remaining validity. For any changes to this rule, it is advisable to check in advance with the country's Embassy or Consulate in Italy or with your travel agent. – Driving: International driving permit (1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention model). Car: third-party insurance to be taken out at the border.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00221– Operators: There is one fixed-line operator (Sonatel) and three mobile operators (Orange, Tigo, Sudatel). Roaming agreements exist with all Italian operators. – Web domain: .sn – Internet: telephone and internet centres (telecentres) are very common; they have phone booths and offer internet access at considerably cheaper rates. Good hotels generally provide WiFi.

Emergency numbers:
Police
- Dakar Central Police Station Tel. 00 221 33 8237149 - 33 842 3341 – 33 823 2529
- Thiong Gendarmerie (Dakar) Tel. 00221 33 8238383
- Police emergency response Tel: 17 (police) or 00 221 33 800 2020  
- Police des Etrangers (for residence permits over 90 days): Dieuppeul, Allées Serigne Ababacar Sy – DAKAR - Tel. 00 221 33 864 5126 – 33 869 3210 (Monday to Friday 0800-1330 and 1430-1700) 
- Dakar Airport Police – Tel 00 221 33 869 5041
- Mbour Gendarmerie Tel. 00 221 33 9571041
- Saint-Louis Central Police Tel. 00 221 33 9611025

Emergency medical services
- Hôpital Principal, Avenue Nelson Mandela – Dakar Tel. 00 221 33 8395050
- Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Avenue Pasteur – Dakar Tel. 00 221 33 889 3800
- “La Madeleine” private clinic, Avenue des Diambars, 18 Tel. 00 221 33 889 9470
- “Clinique du Cap” private clinic, Avenue Pasteur – Dakar Tel. 00 221 33 889 0202
- SOS Médecin, Baie de Soumbédioune – Rue 62 x 64 Gueule Tapée Tel. 00221 33 8891515
- SUMA, Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop Tel. 00221 33 8246030 – 24-hour emergencies: 33 824 1818
- Touba Hospital Tel. 00 221 33 9740547 / 33 9740548
- Kaolack Regional Hospital Tel. 00221 33 9411028 – 33 938 4142
- Thiès Regional Hospital Tel. 00 221 33 9511032
- Ziguinchor Regional Hospital Tel. 00221 33 9911154
Fire brigade: 18

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: the possession and use of narcotics, including the locally grown “grass” offered to tourists, especially young people, both on the street and near hotel complexes, are strictly prohibited and punishable by imprisonment. Both the police and the judicial authorities take a very hard line, including towards foreign nationals accused of possession and personal use of drugs, even in small quantities. The slow pace of the legal process can also lengthen the time spent in detention, which is almost always followed by expulsion from the country (with the journey at the deportee's expense).
Legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors: these offences are punishable by prison sentences that vary according to the case and its severity. Heavy prison sentences are also laid down for prostitution and “pornographic activities”.
It should also be remembered that those who commit offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are prosecuted on their return under the laws in force in Italy.
Homosexuality may be treated as a criminal offence (art. 319 of the Penal Code, “Acts against nature”) and may be punished with imprisonment and/or fines.

HEALTH SITUATION: Private medical facilities in the capital are generally reliable, except for the treatment of certain specialist conditions, while the use of public health facilities is not recommended. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, and for all travellers who have even merely transited through the airport of a country where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission.
The Senegalese airport authorities may carry out checks on arriving travellers.
In line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, please note that yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; 12 February, Tabaski, the Feast of the Sheep; 3 March, Dakar Carnival; in March (dates vary) Tamxarit, the Muslim New Year, is celebrated with a dinner of beef and millet; 4 April, Independence Day; 23 April, the Grand Magal of Touba, a period of celebration of Allah; 1 May, Labour Day; 9 June, Pentecost; 15 August, Feast of the Assumption; 1 November, All Saints' Day and end of Ramadan; 25 December: Christmas Day.

OPENING HOURS: Offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00, Sat 8.00-12.00 - Banks: Mon-Fri 8.30-11.30 and 14.30-16.30 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8.00-19.00.

CLIMATE: Tropical monsoon. Dry north-easterly winds, the harmattan, blow in winter and spring, bringing only minimal rainfall. Humid winds from the west and north-west blow in June, heralding the summer monsoons, which last until September. There are three main climate zones: the coastal zone, with cool winters and rain from June to October; the Saharan zone, the area between the Senegal River and the line joining Thiès (Cap-Vert) to Kayes (Mali), with a dry season from November to May and rains between July and October; and the Sudanian zone, very hot and humid.


Monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain) /monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES
Embassy of Italy in Dakar
Address: Rue Alpha Achamiyou Tall - c.p.18524 - B.P.348
Tel. 00221 33 889 26 36 Secretariat (connected to the answering service)
Fax: 00221 338217580
On-call mobile: 00221 77 638.18.95 (active in emergencies outside office hours)
Satellite phone for emergencies: 00870 764820827/8
E-mail: ambasciata.dakar@esteri.it
Website: www.ambdakar.esteri.it