Is Dakar safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Senegal

What the advice says

• The US Department of State advisory is Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions, dated December 1, 2025, and this rating is set at the country level rather than for Dakar specifically.
• The UK FCDO advice notes a high global threat of terrorism affecting British nationals and states that terrorist attacks in Senegal cannot be ruled out, including indiscriminate attacks in places visited by foreign nationals; travelers should stay aware of surroundings and follow local media and authorities.
• Groups such as JNIM and ISSP operate in neighboring Mali, and JNIM has increasingly carried out attacks in southern and western Mali near the Senegalese border, with a broader kidnapping threat across the Sahel region affecting border and remote areas.
• Frequent demonstrations occur in Dakar and other cities and can turn violent, sometimes blocking major roads including the route between Blaise Diagne International Airport and the city; travelers should monitor local media, avoid protest areas, and stay at a hotel or residence if unsure of safety conditions.
• Robbery, burglary, and assault, sometimes involving weapons, have become more common in Dakar, including armed robberies at hotels frequented by foreign nationals, along with rising pickpocketing and bag-snatching; solo travelers should be especially cautious after nightfall, avoid walking alone, use pre-arranged transport, and keep valuables secured in a hotel safe.
• Bogus taxi drivers at the airport may pretend to know arriving travelers and then overcharge them, so transport should be pre-arranged through accommodations or an authorized operator, and anyone sent to collect a traveler should show identification.
• Fake currency scams occur when changing cash, so money should be exchanged only at ATMs or reputable exchange bureaus, and travelers should note that Dakar's ATMs can run low on funds or impose low withdrawal limits.