It is advisable to consult a website such as the UK FCO before visiting here.

Overall Crime and Safety

Street crime is very common, particularly in urban areas, and are mostly crimes of opportunity; backpack/purse snatching and theft from vehicles, Aggressive vendors, panhandlers, and street children often attempt to divert victims’ attention while an accomplice steals valuables. It is advisable not to accept items offered to them by anyone on the street unless planning to buy it. This is a favourite ploy of street criminals.

Specific Areas of Concern

The Casamance region of south-western Senegal (between the southern border of Gambia and the northern border of Guinea-Bissau) remains affected by incidents involving armed separatist groups and banditry, particularly in the regions of Bignona and Sindian. These incidents are largely focused against Senegalese security forces and not toward visitors.

Dakar. Pick pocketing and street crime (including in taxis), occasionally involving violence, are common in parts of Dakar, particularly around Place de l’Independence, the central area of the Plateau, the Western Corniche, and the airport. You should take sensible precautions, avoid walking alone in the late afternoon and after dark and avoid carrying valuables in public.

Scam Artists. Visitors are increasingly being targeted by scam artists operating in West Africa. The scams come in many forms (romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities) and can pose great financial risk to victims. You should be cautious about requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa, including from people who claim to be victims of various Western African conflicts (notably refugees from Sierra Leone) or relatives of present or former political leaders.

Road Safety. Take extra care while driving in Senegal. The quality of some of the roads may be unpredictable due to landslides or flooding during the rainy seasons (June – September). If there have been recent strong rains, take extra precautions while driving, especially at night.

Maritime Issues

Cruisers taking the normal precautions (nothing of value in sight, only small amounts of money in the pocket, establishing contact with locals and shops near the anchorage, buying from locals etc.) report feeling very safe here, both at anchor and on land.

Migrant Boats.  There has been a sharp rise in the number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands with the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands being increasingly used by smugglers who launch boats from Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal and even the Gambia.

Up to the end of November 2021, more than 18,000 people had reached the Canary Islands this way.  See this report for more details and what do do if you encounter a migrant boat.

Emergency Numbers

See General Info for more details.

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