When to go · Senegal
Senegal, month by month
The best months for Senegal: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec. Months to avoid: Aug, Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry, breezy, 25 °C on the coast; the Dakar Rally legacy crowd and winter-sun Europeans fill Saly.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: best weather · Casamance: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatStill dry and cool; Harmattan haze some days inland; good birding at Djoudj.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: best weather · Casamance: best weatherCrowds: High
- MarchGreatWarm and dry; Ramadan may fall here in 2026 (check), slowing daytime service.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: best weather · Casamance: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatCoast still fine; interior very hot. Independence Day 4 April.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: hot · Casamance: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGoodLast dry month; Tabaski may fall here in 2026 (check) — transport jams before it.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: hot · Casamance: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedHumidity builds; early rains in Casamance. Saint-Louis Jazz Festival is usually late May or June (check).Dakar and the Atlantic coast: fine · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: fine · Casamance: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedRains start in earnest; flooded Dakar suburbs; low hotel rates.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: rainy · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: rainy · Casamance: rainyCrowds: Low
- AugustAvoidWettest month, hot and sticky; the Grand Magal of Touba may fall here (check).Dakar and the Atlantic coast: rainy · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: rainy · Casamance: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberAvoidHeavy rain and heat; Casamance and Sine-Saloum lodges shut.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: rainy · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: rainy · Casamance: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low
- OctoberMixedRains fade mid-month; green landscapes, still humid.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: fine · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: fine · Casamance: rainyCrowds: Low
- NovemberGreatDry season starts; lodges reopen; birds arrive in the Saloum and Djoudj.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: best weather · Casamance: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberGreatPeak: pleasant heat, Christmas on the Petite Côte; book Saint-Louis and delta lodges early.Dakar and the Atlantic coast: best weather · Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringe: best weather · Casamance: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar and the Atlantic coastDakar, Saint-Louis, Petite Côte | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best |
| Sine-Saloum and the Gambia fringeToubacouta, Palmarin, Kaolack | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best |
| CasamanceZiguinchor, Cap Skirring, Oussouye | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Storm | Storm | Wet | OK | Best |
| Inland north and eastTouba, Tambacounda, Niokolo-Koba, Kédougou | OK | Haze | Hot | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best |