Hotels in Senegal

Hotels in Senegal: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Senegal cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest months are usually January and May, while October is the priciest. Seaside resorts cost more than guesthouses inland. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Senegal: most popular cities

Senegal splits clearly into the capital, historic cities and seaside resorts. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Dakar. The capital and the widest choice of hotels, from budget to 5-star. A base for business, nightlife and a trip to Gorée Island.
• Saint-Louis. The former colonial capital on a narrow peninsula, a UNESCO site. Atmospheric townhouses and close to the Djoudj bird sanctuary.
• Saly. The most popular resort on the Petite Côte, with plenty of beach and pool resorts. A handy base for a family holiday.
• Mbour. A fishing town next to Saly, with cheaper stays and local character. A good base for the surrounding area.
• Somone. A quieter lagoon with waterside hotels, valued for its nature and birdlife.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Senegal

Senegal combines beaches, national parks and a desert, so it is easy to match a trip to your interests.

• The Cap Skirring beaches. The southernmost stretch of coast, with some of the finest beaches in the country, perfect for lazy days.
• Niokolo-Koba National Park. A safari with hippos, crocodiles and antelopes, and a chance of a lion.
• Dakar and Gorée Island. Lively nightlife, mbalax music, the Grand Mosque in the Medina and the House of Slaves on Gorée Island.
• The Lompoul Desert. Dunes halfway between Dakar and Saint-Louis, explored on foot or by camel.
• The Djoudj bird sanctuary. The third largest bird park in the world, a UNESCO site with flamingos and pelicans.

How much does a trip to Senegal cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are moderate. A cheap meal is about 2 500 CFA, a mid-range meal about 9 000 CFA per person. A local bus ticket is around 200 CFA. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but cash remains the main payment method across the country. The currency is the CFA franc.

When is the best time to visit Senegal

The dry season runs from November to May and is the best time to travel, with pleasant weather and mild temperatures. The rainy season falls in summer. Room prices are lowest in January and May, and highest in October. Winter months are best for birdwatching at Djoudj.

Getting to and around Senegal

The main airport is Dakar Blaise Diagne (DSS), served by Air France, Turkish Airlines, KLM and Delta among others. Domestic Groupe Transair flights link Dakar with Cap Skirring and Ziguinchor. Around the country you travel by taxi (yellow and black) and bus, with shared Sept-Place taxis for up to seven people and minibuses on longer routes. Cosama ferries run from Dakar to Ziguinchor and to Gorée Island. Cars can be rented, often with a driver, which is handy on tougher roads.

Example hotels in Senegal

A few recognisable properties from different parts of the country for reference:

• Radisson Blu Dakar Sea Plaza and Pullman Dakar Teranga in Dakar (upper tier, from approx. 140 000 CFA).
• Hotel Cap Saint Louis and Eden Beach Saint-Louis in Saint-Louis (by the water, from approx. 24 000 CFA).
• Mövenpick Resort Lamantin Saly and Royal Horizon Baobab in Somone (beach resorts, from approx. 52 000 CFA).