$401+ Cheap flights to Senegal

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.

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.