Africa

Is Senegal safe?

Capital: DakarFrench, WolofUpdated October 2026

L1Exercise normal precautions

Is Senegal safe?

Relatively stable and tolerant, but petty theft, aggressive touts in Dakar and occasional political protests occur. The Casamance border area has historic conflict; check advice.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-11-30.
Homicide rate: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2015, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 23.5 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 1515 · Fire 18.
Solo women: Solo women travel the country but get frequent attention and marriage proposals; dress modestly, use taxis at night and avoid isolated beaches.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Bag snatching and pickpocketing in Dakar and tourist areas
Political demonstrations that can turn tense
Road crashes and night driving
Rip currents on Atlantic beaches; malaria

Common scams

Touts and fake guides offering help, then demanding payment
Taxi drivers quoting inflated fares without agreeing price first

Laws visitors break by accident

Photographing police, military or government buildings is prohibited
Drug offences carry heavy penalties
Same-sex acts are criminalised

Safety by place in Senegal

Place	Safety
Saint-Louis	4/5 · Safe with normal care
Saly	4/5 · Safe with normal care
Dakar	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Senegal safe for tourists?

Relatively stable and tolerant, but petty theft, aggressive touts in Dakar and occasional political protests occur. The Casamance border area has historic conflict; check advice.

Is Senegal safe for solo female travelers?

Solo women travel the country but get frequent attention and marriage proposals; dress modestly, use taxis at night and avoid isolated beaches.

What is the emergency number in Senegal?

Police 17 · Ambulance 1515 · Fire 18.

Safety by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.