Senegal

Senegal itineraries: 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks

For 7 days, do Dakar 3 nights with a Gorée morning, then Saint-Louis 2 nights and the Sine-Saloum delta 2 nights, moving by car and driver in daylight. Two weeks adds Casamance by flight or ferry; three weeks adds Kédougou and Bassari country. Go November to May.

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Updated Sep 20263 min read

GuideSenegal

Key facts

Best months: November to May; Djoudj pelicans November to March
7-day route: Dakar 3 → Saint-Louis 2 → Sine-Saloum 2 → Dakar
14-day route: Add Casamance: Ziguinchor and Oussouye 2, Cap Skirring 3
21-day routecheck: Add Kédougou and Bassari country 3–4 nights
Getting between stops: Car and driver, sept-place or bus; daylight legs only
Dakar to Saint-Louischeck: About 4–5 hours by road (check)
Dakar to Ziguinchorcheck: Overnight ferry or about 1 hour by air (check)
Buffer: Keep one spare day before the flight home

Summary by passport, month and budget

Senegal is warm and dry from November to May, which is when most first trips happen. The table below sets out what changes by season, by passport and by how much you spend. Prices are 2026 estimates for a mid-range trip; see the cost page for detail.

Summary by passport, month and budget
Factor	What it changes	Plan for
US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland passport	Short visits generally visa-free; confirm current rules	Check the visa page before booking
November to March	Cool, dry, best for birds and the north	Book Saint-Louis and Saloum lodges early
April to May	Hotter inland, still dry	Shift time to the coast and delta
June to October	Rainy season, humid, some roads rough	Coast and Dakar only; check Casamance advice
Budget	Sept-place, guesthouses, street food	Roughly USD 40–70 per day (2026 estimate)
Mid-range	Car and driver, lodges, restaurants	Roughly USD 100–180 per day (2026 estimate)
Comfort	Private guide, boutique hotels, internal flights	Roughly USD 250+ per day (2026 estimate)

Step by step

Build the trip around one direction out of Dakar per week. Roads are slow, so a 200 km leg can take half a day. Move in daylight, and keep the last day free for the flight home.

Week one: land in Dakar, take the first Gorée ferry on a morning, then drive north to Saint-Louis for two nights. Add Djoudj as a half day if you are there November to March. Continue to the Sine-Saloum delta for two nights of pirogue and mangroves, then return to Dakar via Lac Rose.

Week two: fly or take the overnight ferry to Ziguinchor for Casamance. Base two nights around Ziguinchor and Oussouye, then three nights at Cap Skirring, and fly back from Cap Skirring or Ziguinchor. Check current travel advice for the region before you commit.

Week three: add Kédougou and Bassari country in the south-east, three to four nights, best November to February. This leg is the hardest to reach and the most rewarding for hills, waterfalls and village walks; a guide and a 4x4 are the usual way.

Book the Gorée ferry for the first morning sailing; the island empties after 16:00.
Do not schedule a long road leg on the day your flight lands.
Keep one buffer day before departure for delays.

Notes

Distances look short on the map and feel long on the road. Dakar traffic is heavy at rush hour, and the Thiès junction can cost an hour. A car and driver is the simplest way to cover the north; sept-places and buses are cheaper but slower and stop often.

Cash is king outside Dakar. Carry CFA francs for fuel stops, lodges and tips, and check the money page for current guidance. Dress modestly in Touba and rural areas, and ask before photographing people.

Casamance and the south-east need a current advice check before booking. Ferries and internal flights fill up in high season, so reserve early.

FAQ

Sources and verification

Questions people ask

What is a good 7-day itinerary for Senegal?

Dakar 3 nights with a Gorée morning, Saint-Louis 2 nights, Sine-Saloum delta 2 nights, then back to Dakar. Move by car and driver in daylight. Add Djoudj as a half day from Saint-Louis if you travel November to March.

How many weeks should I spend in Senegal?

One week covers Dakar, Saint-Louis and the delta. Two weeks adds Casamance by flight or ferry. Three weeks adds Kédougou and Bassari country. Most first trips work best at 10 to 14 days.

What is the best route through Senegal?

One direction out of Dakar per week: north to Saint-Louis and the Saloum, then south to Casamance, then south-east to Kédougou. Avoid backtracking to Dakar between legs; fly or ferry where the road is long.

When should I go?

November to May is dry and comfortable. November to March is best for birds at Djoudj. June to October is the rainy season, humid with rougher roads; stick to the coast and check Casamance advice.

Do I need a visa?

Many Western passports get visa-free short stays, but rules change. Check the Senegal visa page and your own government's advice before booking.

How do I get around between stops?

A car and driver is easiest; sept-places and buses are cheaper but slower. Travel in daylight only, and allow a full day for long legs such as Saint-Louis to the Saloum.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check