Halal travel guide for Senegal: faith, food, etiquette and practical basics

Before you go: entry, health and money

Entry rules, visa requirements and health recommendations change, so rely on official sources rather than a travel page. The Senegalese tourism promotion agency publishes practical information and visa guidance, and your own government's travel advice is the second reference.

The agency notes that French is the official language and that the currency is the CFA franc. Carry some cash for small purchases outside the capital, and keep copies of your passport and booking details.

Islam in Senegalese daily life

Most Senegalese are Muslim, and Sufi brotherhoods such as the Mourides and the Tijaniyya play a large part in social and religious life. Religious festivals and pilgrimages, including the Grand Magal of Touba, draw very large crowds and can affect transport and prices.

Christian communities and traditional customs also exist, and people are generally used to living side by side. Visitors who show curiosity and politeness are usually met with warmth.

Mosques and the call to prayer

You will hear the adhan from many neighbourhood mosques, and in cities the first call comes before dawn. Light sleepers should expect it, particularly in the centre of Dakar.

Visitors who wish to pray can usually join a mosque, though women should ask about the women's area, and non-Muslims should ask before entering any prayer hall. Remove shoes at the door and dress modestly. Prayer times shift through the year, so use a reliable timetable app set to the city you are in.

Food: what halal means in practice

In a majority-Muslim country, most meat is slaughtered according to Islamic practice, and pork is not a common ingredient in local cooking. National dishes such as thieboudienne, a rice and fish dish, and yassa chicken are normally prepared without alcohol.

This is not the same as an official certificate, however. In hotels aimed at foreign visitors, bars, casinos and non-halal dishes can be present, so ask your server about ingredients, and about alcohol in sauces and desserts, if it matters to you.

Different scholars and travellers hold different standards about restaurants that serve alcohol. Decide your own line before choosing where to eat.

Dress and etiquette

Modest dress is the norm in towns and villages, and many Senegalese women wear colourful boubous and headscarves. Visitors of both sexes are comfortable in loose cotton clothing that covers shoulders and knees.

Greetings matter. Take time to say hello, ask after the family and use the right hand for eating and handing things over. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking openly in front of people who are fasting.

Getting around

Blaise Diagne International Airport at Diass, which opened on 7 December 2017, is the main gateway for Dakar, and its operator publishes flight and transfer information. Air Sénégal is the national carrier.

Within Dakar, taxis are common; agree on the fare before you set off. For the Petite Côte, Saint-Louis or the Casamance, ask your accommodation about road conditions and journey times, and avoid driving at night where you can.

Safety, scams and public holidays

Common sense goes a long way. Keep valuables out of sight on crowded beaches and in markets, use official taxis, and be wary of strangers who offer unrequested guiding services and then ask for payment.

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the main public holidays, along with other Islamic festivals; their dates depend on the moon sighting. Shops and offices may close and transport fills up, so book early around these days.