What budget to travel Senegal? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Senegal?

Senegal offers a wide range of activities to do on site: fishing, hunting, safaris, birdwatching, canoeing... Everyone will be able to indulge his or her passions, at generally affordable rates. Some camps and lodges are specialized in hunting and offer package deals from mid-December to the end of April. Most of the time, they take care of all the formalities to obtain the permits. With its 700 km of coastline, Senegal also offers the possibility of many water sports: sailing, diving, surfing, water skiing, canoeing... The best spots are on the Petite Côte and on the Cape Verde peninsula (Pointe des Almadies, Ngor). As winter begins to fall on Europe, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the pleasant temperatures of the country. Casamance undoubtedly has the most beautiful beaches in the country, but you can also laze around on the beaches of the Cape Verde peninsula or the Petite Côte. If you don't stay in these regions, many establishments in the interior of the country have a swimming pool where you can lounge on deckchairs. As for safaris, tourists who have already been to the parks of Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa may be very disappointed... However, there are some private reserves and national parks where it is possible to observe some giraffes imported from South Africa, rhinoceroses or antelopes. The Niokolo Koba Park has a few specimens of lions and elephants, some of which were seen on the side of Mount Assirik in January 2020. Otherwise, you will observe monkeys, gazelles, warthogs, but also with a little luck, crocodiles and hippos. However, Senegal is better known as an ornithological destination, with its 650 listed bird species. The third largest bird reserve in the world, the Djoudj Park offers a majestic spectacle between December and March, when pelicans, wintering ducks and flamingos flock in their thousands. Other places are ideal for bird watching: the bolongs of Sine-Saloum, Casamance or the Somone Nature Reserve. In general, keep your eyes open all around you!

In craft markets, you will have to negotiate prices. Tip: Halve the advertised price, then increase it little by little until you reach an agreement with the merchant.

There are two French Institutes in Senegal, in Dakar and Saint-Louis, as well as two Alliances françaises, in Ziguinchor and Kaolack. Another Alliance is based in Banjul, Gambia. These cultural centres programme many events, from concerts to plays, and are a good option for going out.

What budget to eat Senegal?

It all depends on the standing of the establishment. In a Senegalese restaurant, you will be able to have lunch or dinner with local dishes, generally very copious, for about 4 000 FCFA per plate. In hotels or restaurants, often run by expatriates, you can enjoy delicious European dishes for around 8,000 FCFA per plate. Here, the products are of quality, especially the meat, which you can sometimes afford to eat rare, and hygiene standards are respected.

What is the budget for accommodation Senegal?

Campsites, hotels, lodges, guest houses and inns - there's a wide choice of accommodation in Senegal. Although there's something to suit every budget, prices will depend on the comfort you're looking for, and also on the city where you're staying.
In Dakar, for example, you'll be hard-pressed to find cheap accommodation, and will often have to pay twice as much as inland. As for hotels, there are several categories to choose from, from family-run structures to large luxury chains. Mid-range hotels combine good services (swimming pool, wifi, indoor bathroom...) with unrivalled friendliness. This type of accommodation is a good compromise, but you'll have to pay between €45 and €100. In Dakar, Saly and Cap Skirring, luxury hotels offer all the comforts a Westerner would expect to find in Senegal, but without the local ambience: stores, private beach, swimming pool, restaurants and entertainment. Apart from Dakar, most of them offer their guests excursions to parks or reserves, pirogue trips, deep-sea fishing... Prices vary according to the services offered, but you'll often have to pay between €80 and €150 for one night. For more or less the same price, you can also stay in luxury lodges or ecolodges, offering exceptional settings in the heart of nature, such as in the heart of the desert at Lompoul, on the edge of the mangrove swamp or on an island in the Sine-Saloum. A number of guesthouses have sprung up in recent years. They are run by Senegalese families, but also by Europeans. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and you'll be able to benefit from all the advice and tips your hosts have to offer! Prices generally vary according to the comfort of the accommodation, from €20 to €50 per night. Campsites, too, have sprung up like mushrooms in recent years. They can be found in the interior of the country, usually in remote locations. They're the best way to discover Senegal and immerse yourself in the culture. They're charming, friendly and sometimes close to the "hotel" category. However, you may have to put aside your Western comforts for the duration of your stay. Rooms are in huts or bungalows, equipped with the bare minimum. Often, sanitary facilities are located outside, and you'll have to shower the African way, with a bucket of cold water, which tends to be lukewarm, or which you can ask to be heated. In Casamance, village camps are managed by the Fédération des Campements Villageois (FECAV), which ensures uniform prices and whose profits are used for activities of community interest. Prices vary widely according to location and the condition of the huts, ranging from €10 to €15 per person. You should also be aware that establishments are required to charge a tourist tax of 1,000 FCFA per day and per person, which may or may not be included in the advertised rate.

Travel budget Senegal and cost of living

Senegal is a fairly inexpensive country, but depending on when you travel and the level of comfort you choose, your budget can vary from simple to double or even triple.

Small budget: for the most resourceful, it's possible to eat for less than 5,000 FCFA a day, sleep for 8,000 FCFA and travel around the country for 10,000 FCFA or less, depending on destination and means of transport used. This means, of course, that you'll have to fall back on local dibiteries (beware of hygiene), stay in hostels or camps, and use the bus or taxi-brousse.

Average budget: lower than international standards. If you're looking for comfort, expect to pay between 20,000 and 30,000 FCFA per night in a clean guesthouse or hotel, with all amenities. A meal in a "Western" restaurant starts at 7,000 FCFA. Car rental starts at around 25,000 FCFA per day.

Big budget: for those who are financially able, they can spend their stay in luxury hotels and lodges in Dakar, Saly, Saint-Louis and Cap Skirring, most of which offer European-style comfort. Prices range from 30,000 to over 100,000 FCFA per night. A 4x4 rental starts at 35,000 FCFA per day.

There is a map listing eco-friendly addresses throughout Senegal. It can be consulted online at www.cartevertesenegal.org.