French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%

Senegal is a developing West African country.

Army, Senegalese Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal)

A passport is required.  For U.S. passport holders, a visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days.  Current yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Senegal and meningitis vaccination is highly recommended if the traveler is arriving from or has recently traveled to an endemic area.  Travelers unable to provide proof of vaccinations may be required to pay for and receive vaccinations at the Dakar airport.  Travelers should obtain the latest information on entry requirements from the Embassy of Senegal, 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 234-0540, and at the Senegal Tourism Authority.  Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Senegalese embassy or consulate.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports: 20, Airports w/paved runways: 9

Public demonstrations, political gatherings, and student protests are relatively common in Senegal, both in Dakar and in outlying regions, particularly on Friday afternoons. Due to the potential for violence, US citizens should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations, and maintain security awareness at all times. The US Embassy recommends that all visitors to Lac Rose and its surrounding beaches be particularly vigilant and not travel alone. Landmines are a danger in some regions & have killed at least 1 US Citizen. Minor street crime is very common in Senegal, particularly in cities.

Infant MR total: 52.94 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: TOTAL 59.25 years (male 57.7/female 60.85)

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A & B, Malaria, Meningococcal (meningitis), Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Boosters: tetanus-diptheria, measles & polio as needed.

HIV/AIDS– people living with HIV/AIDS: 44,000
Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in Senegal. Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Endemic foci of river blindness exist in all countries listed except in the greater part of The Gambia, Mauritania. The risk for contracting African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis), which is caused by the bite of an infected tsetse fly, is high in all countries except The Gambia, Niger, and Mauritania. A number of rickettsial infections also occur in this region. Plague occurs sporadically or in outbreaks. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or immigrants from the region) include tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B.
 

Several hospitals and clinics in the capital, Dakar, can treat major and minor injuries and illnesses. There is inadequate inpatient psychiatric care and limited office-based psychiatry. Public hospitals do not meet U.S. standards. Medical facilities outside Dakar are limited. French medications are far more readily available than American drugs, and drugs in stock are often listed under the French trade name. Medications may be obtained at pharmacies throughout Dakar and in other areas frequented by tourists, and are usually less expensive than in the U.S.

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2007)

Country Code:  +221 
Internet Code:  .sn