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Travel Safety in Dakar, SenegalTips to Avoid Danger While on Vacation in West Africa
Dakar is colorful and culturally-rich but also chaotic, so thoughtful planning for safety can help you avoid danger in this exotic vacation destination.
At the Airport1. Before leaving home, arm your tongue with some rudimentary French phrases and a few simple Wolof greetings and you'll find the Senegalese extremely friendly, helpful, and courteous throughout your journey. 2. Book a flight arriving in Dakar during daylight hours; it's much less intimidating to greet and bargain with the throng of would-be taxi drivers and guides outside the airport entrance in full sunlight. 3. Bring an ATM card in order to withdraw a little cash from the bank machine at the airport for the taxi ride (hopefully the machine is working). There is not usually a staffed bureau de change for cash exchanges. Beware of pickpockets in the terminal, and ask an airport worker to quote the proper price you should pay for a taxi to the city center (It's 4,000CFA currently). Outside the terminal, hold onto your luggage and bargain hard for that price. 4. The very best option is to call before leaving home to book the free hotel shuttle (navette, in French) to meet you inside the airport. Sofitel and Novotel both provide this service. Pickpockets1. Keep all valuables in a hotel safe or a locked suitcase if the safe is not available. In a country where a great percentage of the people live on less than $2/day, it's wise not to flaunt fancy things. 2. Downtown Dakar is filled with people peddling multitudes of items with very persistant appeals. Guard your bags, wallets and sunglasses at all times, especially around Rue Georges Pompidou and Sandaga Market (any market, honestly). While there isn't really a sense of physical danger, the constant press of people can distract you enough to separate you from your belongings. Women Travelers1. Dress modestly. While you may occasionally see tourists sporting shorts and bare midriffs, they stand out like beacons in this predominantly Muslim country where men and women commonly dress in floor-length gowns or, at the very least, long trousers. Long skirts and cleavage-covering shirts with three-quarter length sleeves would be appropriate. 2. Tourists in general attract a lot of attention from people looking to make a buck selling their wares, and women travelers, in particular, are the hopeful targets of the many men looking for a liaison and, as Lonely Planet West Africa suggests, to cheat you out of money. They often ask if you are a madame ou mademoiselle to get the conversation started, so one effective way to throw off a prospective suitor is to ignore them altogether, avoiding eye contact and wearing sunglasses. The best way to throw off a persistent seller is to politely but firmly say no thank you and walk with purpose in another direction. WaterDrink only bottled water, and check to be sure the seal is unbroken. It's widely available at hotels, boutiques (small shops), and supermarkets. Casino Supermarche, located walking distance on Avenue Al. Sarraut between the Sofitel and Novotel, offers Perrier, Evian, and locally bottled brands. Malaria and Other GermsAlthough Dakar is located on the edge of the Sahel, mosquitos and malaria are alive and well in the city. Start your anti-malarial medication (usually Malarone or Lariam) as prescribed before your journey begins and take it as directed. You will also need to be vaccinated against typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, polio, and possibly meningitis. Carry a little bottle of hand disinfectant in your bag to spruce up during long days navigating the city. Sofitel: tel 221-33889/2200, www.accorhotels.com Novotel: tel 221-33/8496161, www.novotel.com
The copyright of the article Travel Safety in Dakar, Senegal in Senegal Travel is owned by Kathleen Madigan. Permission to republish Travel Safety in Dakar, Senegal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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