When to go · Dakar
Dakar in August
Avoid month. Peak rains; floods and flooded roads.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 31°C88°F / 26°C79°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Low
- Senegal overall
- Prices
- Low
- Senegal overall
Verdict
Peak rains; floods and flooded roads.
Weather in August
- DakarHighs around 31 °C, lows around 26 °C, rain on about 11 daysHighs around 88 °F, lows around 79 °F, rain on about 11 days
- Dakar and the Atlantic coast, Senegal · Dakar, Saint-Louis, Petite Côterainy
Trade winds keep the coast 5–8 °C cooler than inland; January–March evenings can feel cool, and the sea is cold until May.Trade winds keep the coast 9–14 °F cooler than inland; January–March evenings can feel cool, and the sea is cold until May.
Rainy season season
Green and quiet; fewer visitors and lower prices.
Watch: Heavy downpours and flooded streets, especially in August and September.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Assumption and Grand Magal of Touba check
15 August; Magal moves yearly · Churches; Touba
Public holiday; roads to Touba jam.
Grand Magal of Touba big impact
Aug 2026 (lunar — check) · Senegal
Millions of Mouride pilgrims head to Touba; roads through the centre are blocked.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Senegal overall
- Low
- Prices · Senegal overall
- Low
Senegal overall: Wettest month, hot and sticky; the Grand Magal of Touba may fall here (check).
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast