Major city · Senegal
Salemata
Go for 1–2 nights if you want Bassari festivals, chimpanzee hikes and the region's only castle; skip if you have fewer than 3 days in Kédougou area.
Salemata, 80 km west of Kédougou, is the gateway to Bassari villages and their annual initiation ceremonies in May. The area offers hiking, mountain biking, chimpanzee tracking and palm wine excursions. Most visitors stay one or two nights at the local campsite.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cool)
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, trails muddy)
- Airport
- KED
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Senegal ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Senegalese government sources before booking.
- Senegal ↗Dress modestly in towns and at religious sites: shoulders and knees covered.
- Senegal ↗Check your government's advice before travelling to parts of the Casamance region in the south.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Salemata17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Salemata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with seven other West African states and pegged to the euro (655.957 XOF = €1 (≈ US$2)).Senegal-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, Free and Expresso sell SIMs at the airport and shops; passport registration required.Senegal-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap for visitors.Senegal-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% where no service is added.Senegal-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/E/K. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Senegal-wide
- SafetySalemata is generally safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets and buckets on the road.Senegal-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 1515 SAMU (ambulance) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday lunchtime prayers slow business; Tabaski, Korité and the Magal close most shops; many coastal lodges close Jul–Oct.Senegal-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKED Kédougou Airport (About 80 km (50 mi) east; no scheduled flights confirmed (check)).KED Kédougou Airport (About 50 mi (80 km) east; no scheduled flights confirmed (check)).
- Getting aroundOn foot or by bike; the village is small.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KED Kédougou Airport (About 80 km (50 mi) east; no scheduled flights confirmed (check))KED Kédougou Airport (About 50 mi (80 km) east; no scheduled flights confirmed (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Mar
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Apr
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Dec
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (17 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Salemata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Mar
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot or by bike; the village is small. Hiking trails into the hills require a guide.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Niokolo Transport bus (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat) or private car, about 80 km (50 mi)Niokolo Transport bus (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat) or private car, about 50 mi (80 km)
Larger town with more services; also gateway to Bassari country.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
Private car via N7 and N2, about 150 km (93 mi)Private car via N7 and N2, about 93 mi (150 km)
Long drive; only if you have time and a vehicle.
Tambacounda
cautionDoor to door: About 4–5 h
Private car via N7, about 200 km (124 mi)Private car via N7, about 124 mi (200 km)
Major transport hub; consider as a stopover to/from Dakar.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chez Gilbert campsite
The only running campsite in Salemata; 5 huts, each sleeps up to 3, bar/restaurant hut, 7,000 CFA per person.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 7,000–10,000 CFA excl. bed
- Mid
- 10,000–15,000 CFA excl. bed
- High
- 15,000+ CFA excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hut at Chez Gilbert (up to 3 people)2 × 1 night × XOF 7,000 | XOF 14,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XOF 7,000 | XOF 14,000 |
| Niokolo Transport bus Kédougou–Salemata one way2 × XOF 2,000 | XOF 4,000 |
| Chimpanzee guide (Gilbert, per group)1 × XOF 10,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 4,200 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 23,100 per person per day, bed included | XOF 46,200 |
2026 estimate in CFA; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Niokolo Transport bus Kédougou–Salemata | 2,000 CFA |
| Hut at Chez Gilbert (per person) | 7,000 CFA |
| Beer at Chez Camara | 1,000–1,500 CFA |
| Meal at Chez Camara | 2,000–4,000 CFA |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- May initiation ceremonies are popular; book accommodation ahead.
- No ATM in Salemata; bring enough CFA from Kédougou.
- Chimpanzee hikes depend on season and location; ask Gilbert before arrival.
- Rainy season (June–October) makes roads difficult; check conditions.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- SAMU (ambulance)
- 1515
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SalemataSalemata
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- SAMU (ambulance)1515
Embassy
The nearest embassy is in Dakar; check your country's consular services before travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Niokolo Transport bus Kédougou–Salemata: about 2,000 CFA, about 2 h
- Private car Kédougou–Salemata: about 80 km (50 mi), 1.5–2 habout 50 mi (80 km), 1.5–2 h
Say or show
- Bonjour (French) / Salaam aleikum (Wolof) — Hello (bon-zhoor / sa-laam a-ley-kum)
- Merci (French) / Jërëjëf (Wolof) — Thank you (mair-see / je-re-jeff)
- Combien ? (French) / Ñaata la? (Wolof) — How much? (kom-byen / nya-ta la)
- Où est … ? (French) / … fi la? (Wolof) — Where is …? (oo ey / … fee la)
- Je ne comprends pas (French) / Xamuma (Wolof) — I don't understand (zhuh nuh kom-prahn pa / kha-moo-ma)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Salemata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cool) · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, trails muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Salemata
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