Cheap flights to Senegal

Senegal is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. It has borders with Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and completely envelops The Gambia. Some of the friendliest folk in Africa live here and welcome travelers booking flights to Senegal to their country. Thanks in part to its coastline of stunning beaches, it is one of the most popular countries with travelers visiting West Africa, which means cheap flights to Senegal are relatively easy to find and Dakar is a good starting place from which to explore the region. 

Outdoor enthusiasts book flights to Senegal for a trek through the northern region’s dunes and muddy rivers. Senegal’s capital, Dakar, is the largest and most sophisticated city in West Africa. Travelers booking flights to Senegal for a stay in Dakar will find luxury hotels and retail shopping easily accessible. Prior to becoming a metropolis for travelers, Senegal was the drop-off location for slave traders. Visitors strolling through Dakar will come across 200-year-old buildings, the original Slave House, and the Museum of Marine Life. Today, UNESCO is helping to rebuild the country’s historical buildings in an effort to protect the history that shaped the land. 

With the vast amount of opportunities available, plan your trip and Senegal flights based on what you want to do. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, hiking mountain peaks or lounging along the crystal-blue Senegal coastline, there is something for everyone in this small African country.

Senegal climate

Senegal has nearly constant heat and humidity. The extremely rainy season lasts from June to October, and can quickly ruin an outing. The south is far rainier than the north. It’s much drier and far less humid from November to May. 

Best Time to Fly to Senegal

Most travelers book flights to Senegal during the dry season (November – May), when pleasant conditions and warm temperatures make outdoor adventures accessible. 

Peak Season: Temperatures during the dry season usually linger around 81 degrees F. While the entire season is beautiful, the best time to book Senegal flights is at the beginning, between November and January when the heat isn’t quite at its peak, and the land is still lush from the rain.

Off-peak Season: While there’s no clear off-season, the rainy months deter some outward-bound travelers from booking flights to Senegal. Expect wet and humid conditions between June and October, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to find deals on accommodations and cheap flights to Senegal.

Getting around Senegal

Once your flight to Senegal arrives, you’ll be immediately tempted by attractive cities like Dakar and Saint-Louis. Although public transportation is limited, it’s possible to get from one area to the other by bus, train, car, and domestic Senegal flights.

In Dakar, small buses called car rapides cruise the roads, picking up and dropping off passengers on what seems to be every corner of the city. In other cities and towns, Mercedes buses called Ndiaga Ndiaye hold up to 30 passengers, and run on regular routes. Another option is the Car Mouride bus, which provides connections to inland towns. Although it’s reliable, it also has the reputation for being slow and uncomfortable.

Taxis, trains, ferries, and cars are common alternatives. You’ll be able to notice taxis quickly by their orange and black exteriors. Known to be rather unorganized and unsystematic by nature, taxis are typically hailed from the street and prices should be negotiated with the driver. The railway only has one service: twice weekly (on Saturday and Wednesday) that links Dakar with Bamako, and is usually packed with riders who reserve a place in advance.

If you’re interested in expanding your Senegal travel, a ferry sails between Dakar and Goree Island that makes a perfect offshore daytrip. Lastly, car rental is possible, but can be expensive. Most roads are in good quality, but keep in mind that you’ll have to compete not only with other cars, but also wagons, carts, donkeys, and livestock.

How long is the flight to Senegal?

There are several flights to Senegal, specifically Dakar, that depart daily from New York City and Chicago, and can range from seven and a half hours (direct) to 46h (with stopovers). Flights from New York City have the shortest travel time. Longer flights, which include at least one stopover, depart from both Chicago and New York, and the durations are about the same. For cheap flights to Senegal, there are generally two stops and the route may be serviced by multiple air carriers, like Brussels Airlines and United Airlines, or Ethiopian Airlines and ASKY Airlines. If you’re looking for flights provided by one carrier, there are options with Air Canada, Emirates and Turkish Airlines, among others. Banjul, Gambia is the next closest airport that receives flights from the United States, from Chicago or New York City it can take between 15-49h, depending on your stopover.

Where can you get direct flights to Senegal from?

John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York City is currently the only airport within the United States that offers direct flights to Senegal. Delta offers a service that flies to Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar, Senegal’s capital. Compared to other ticket options, the ticket prices for the direct flight are reasonable and could save you anywhere from eight to 39h of travel time. However, if you are looking for Senegal flight deals and have flexibility with your travel time, cheaper airfare options may be found with flights that include stopovers.

What is the best way to travel around Senegal?

While travelling in the most populous areas in Senegal, such as Dakar and Ziguinchor, you can make use of the local public transportation known as sept places, which are estates that can carry up to seven passengers. The cities also offer minibusses. Senegal Shuttle is a company that offers transfers, excursions and chauffeured services. Or, if you’re looking for a transportation option that is personal, but more economical than a chauffeur, there are some western-style taxi services. If you are planning to visit various regions within the country, Air Senegal offers domestic flights to help you hop from place to place. If you are confident driving in a foreign country, there are rental car services available, such as Hertz.

What are some things to do in Senegal?

Nestled along the west coast of Africa, Senegal is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, lions, elephants and giraffes, as well as sea creatures, such as hawksbill and green sea turtles. While in Senegal we recommend that you take time to go on a safari and explore the majestic landscape—the revered baobab trees are not to be missed. If you’re hoping to indulge in more water-based activities, Senegal’s more-than 300 miles of coastline offers beautiful beaches and ample surf spots—there are even specific resorts dedicated to surfing. Malika Surf Camp is one such place, offering surfing classes, beach volleyball and yoga sessions. Not only does Senegal offer natural beauty, but its cuisine, which has been influenced by the country’s long history with France, Portugal, and North Africa, is unique.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Senegal?

All passengers flying to Senegal from the United States are required to travel with a passport. A tourist visa is also required in order to enter the country and can be obtained upon arrival, free of cost. For a full list of the materials you’ll need to provide in order to obtain the visa, you should visit the website for the Senegalese Embassy. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure you bring along paperwork indicating a recent Yellow Fever vaccine, as this is also required before entering the country.

Senegal Travel Information

• Dakar’s lively allure comes from its beaches, nightlife, and marketplaces that draw travelers to book flights to Senegal every year. Visit a city that combines artisan work, onscreen masterpieces, and musical triumph in live venues, all in the same place. Cara Colo, a flourishing art space, brings local artists and artisans together to work on their pieces and sell them to the public each day. Most artists work with natural materials and found objects like metal, fabric, and wood. Meander through the creative atmosphere and pick a souvenir that suits you – just be sure to pack carefully on your return Senegal flight.
• If you’re blown away by the country’s depth and are aching to see more, expand your Senegal travel by planning a day trip to Goree Island, where touching historical remnants will deepen your understanding of the country’s early days of slavery. The Portuguese (the first Europeans to come to the island in 1444) built the House of Slaves in 1536. During their reign, landowners became slaves, and were held in inhumane conditions, often causing pest epidemics and widespread illness. The building still stands as a tribute to the three-and-a-half centuries when land was taken from Senegal’s people. Dignitaries like Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and others who are familiar with the nation’s stirring history reserve flights to Senegal to pay respects and to show their reverence.
• Prioritizing attractions in Senegal may seem overwhelming, but no matter where your preference lies, Saint Louis should certainly be added to your Senegal travel itinerary. The oldest European settlement in West Africa, Saint Louis holds breath-taking architecture and artistic structures. While the exteriors of most buildings are noteworthy, there is more than meets the eye when you stumble upon a gallery. Walk inside to be blown away by artwork done centuries ago by natives and immigrants alike. When you’re done there, head to the Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie, and the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, which highlight Mother Nature’s work, rather than human-made beauty.
• While galleries, city life, and monuments may attract most vacationers, some travelers booking flights to Senegal prefer sightseeing in the wild. For the outdoor-inclined traveler, the Sine-Saloum Delta is the place to go. The Sine and Saloum Rivers meet at a swampy area just south of Dakar, where mangroves, lagoons, forests, and dunes coexist in adjacent ecosystems. A small peninsula just outside the fishing village of Djiffere makes it easy for those who travel to Senegal to cast a line out on the water in peace. Not far from that, a National Park offers pirogue trips that take tourists to see flamingos, pelicans, and other kinds of birds. No matter where you roam within the delta, you’ll be able to experience nature in a new and memorable way.

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