When to go to Senegal: the best time, month by month, and where to stay

"When to go to Senegal?", "Senegal in December", "in January", "in February", "Senegal all inclusive" or "Senegal with kids": before choosing a hotel, choose the right time of year. Senegal does not have the same climate everywhere: the coast around Dakar, Saly's Petite-Côte and Casamance in the south have neither the same rainfall nor the same temperatures. Here is the calendar month by month, followed by where to stay depending on the season and how you like to travel.

Two seasons: the dry season and the "hivernage"

Senegal has two main seasons. The dry season runs roughly from November to May: plenty of sunshine and hardly any rain. The rainy season, known locally as the "hivernage", covers roughly June to October, with more humid heat.

Two rules of thumb help:

• the further south you go, the more it rains: Casamance gets far more rain than Dakar, and its rainy season lasts longer;
• the coast is much cooler than the interior: that is where you will find Dakar and the main beaches.

Senegal month by month

November: the dry season begins. The rains are usually over, including in Casamance, where they end around late October. It is a good month to travel before the holiday rush.

December and January: the heart of the dry season, with sunshine and almost no rain. In Dakar the days are mild, with highs of around 24 to 25 °C early in the year. The Christmas and New Year holidays push demand up, so book your hotel early.

February and March: still the dry season, with pleasant days on the coast. Around Dakar, the ocean is cooler in late winter and spring: if swimming matters a lot to you, pick a hotel with a pool. Book ahead for the February school holidays too.

April and May: the end of the dry season. The heat rises sharply inland, while the coast stays more temperate. It is still a good time for the beach.

June to October: the rainy season. It is hot and humid, and Casamance gets most of its rain. This is the low season: a trip is still possible, but check that your hotel is open on your dates and that your planned excursions are running.

Where to stay by season

• November to May, the beach on the Petite-Côte: around Saly there is a wide choice of hotels and board options. Our guide to hotels in Saly covers the areas.
• December to February, Casamance: the mildest time in Cap Skirring, the seaside resort of the south. Our guide to hotels in Cap Skirring covers the areas and the most searched-for hotels. In Casamance, it is best to avoid the height of the long, very wet rainy season.
• Dakar, for the city: for a city break, a business trip or the start of a tour, the capital is the usual starting point. Our guide on where to stay in Dakar compares the neighbourhoods.

All-inclusive holidays in Senegal

"Senegal all inclusive" is one of the most frequent searches. On the Petite-Côte, around Saly, several hotels offer all-inclusive packages: a good fit if you plan to spend most of your stay at the hotel. In Cap Skirring, check the board option hotel by hotel: breakfast, half board, full board or all inclusive.

Either way, read what the package really covers before you reserve: drinks, meal times, à la carte restaurant at extra cost or not. A lighter option gives you more freedom if you plan excursions.

Senegal with children

With children, the dry season is the easiest, especially December to March on the coast. A few tips:

• choose a hotel with a pool and check what is on offer for children;
• keep the journey short: the Petite-Côte is much closer to Dakar than Casamance;
• ask for a family room or connecting rooms when you book;
• think about meals: full board or all inclusive saves looking for a restaurant at every meal;
• see your doctor before you leave, especially for the children.

Before you go

• Travel advice: for the whole of Senegal, including Casamance, read the latest travel advice from your own foreign ministry (France Diplomatie, Belgium's FPS Foreign Affairs, Switzerland's FDFA, travel.gc.ca in Canada, the FCDO in the UK, the US State Department).
• Entry requirements: the conditions for entering Senegal depend on your nationality. Check them with the Senegalese authorities or your foreign ministry before you travel. Nreservi does not handle visa applications.
• Health: for yellow fever and malaria prevention, ask your doctor or a travel clinic for advice, and check the latest official recommendations.

Reserving your hotel in Senegal

Pick your city and dates on our hotels in Senegal page: Dakar, Saly, Cap Skirring and other cities, with available hotels and their board options. Planning your trip from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada or elsewhere abroad? You can pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

A question about dates, a hotel or a board option? Write to NIA, our assistant, or contact us.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.