Senegal
Senegal is a gorgeous country with some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I went to Dakar for work and just had the chance to explore the capital.
What to do in Senegal
Senegalese Hospitality
Senegalese are generous and welcoming to visitors; don’t be afraid to ask for directions or advice. I absolutely loved every single Senegalese person I met.
Senegal is a majority Muslim country but you won’t need to think too hard about it. Restaurants serve alcohol and women wear flattering clothing.
Senegalese Food
Senegalese food is a large part of their culture and it’s delicious. Some of the most popular meals are Thieboudienne (the national dish of Senegal), fish and chicken yassa, thiof (grouper) grill, and Maafe (Senegalese Peanut Stew).
Don’t miss out on the traditional Senegalese tea as well; attaya is made from Chinese gunpowder green tea, mint, and sugar. It’s served in small espresso-style cups.
Tips When Visiting Senegal
- The best time of year to travel to Senegal is between November and May, during the dry season. Temperatures are around 25°C. I visited in March and the weather was perfect every day, with the exception of a few (unusually) chilly evenings.
- Knowing some French will make life easier when you visit Senegal. Some people speak English but it isn’t that common.
- It’s not as customary to tip service staff (more in line with the French customs), however, wages are low so this actually doesn’t make sense. I tipped around 15%.
- It’s easy to visit Senegal. All you need is a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 5 days before arrival. Bring your yellow fever vaccination card as well.