Senegal operates under a tiered healthcare system with notable disparities between Dakar and provincial regions. The capital contains approximately 60 percent of the country's physicians despite holding roughly 25 percent of the national population. Principal Hospital of Dakar, located in the Fann district, serves as the primary referral center with 24-hour emergency services and specialized departments including cardiology, neurology, and intensive care. Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec in downtown Dakar maintains emergency capacity with trauma services. Outside the capital, regional hospitals in Saint-Louis, Thiès, Ziguinchor, Kaolack, and Tambacounda provide secondary care but face equipment and specialist shortages. The emergency telephone number 1515 connects to SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente), operational primarily in Dakar with limited provincial coverage. Response times vary from 15 to 45 minutes within Dakar depending on traffic density and neighborhood. Provincial emergency response relies on regional fire brigades and local health posts where ambulances may lack advanced life support equipment.
Malaria transmission occurs year-round in all regions with peak transmission during the rainy season from July through October. The parasite Plasmodium falciparum accounts for more than 95 percent of cases. Chloroquine resistance is widespread. All regions including Dakar carry transmission risk though urban transmission rates remain lower than rural areas. Yellow fever vaccination certification is mandatory for entry from endemic countries and recommended for all travelers. The country maintains yellow fever endemic status with sporadic outbreaks. Vaccination must occur at least 10 days before arrival. Dengue fever transmission has increased since 2017 with documented outbreaks in Dakar, Touba, Thiès, and Louga. No vaccine exists for travelers. Typhoid fever incidence remains elevated in areas with inadequate water sanitation. Meningococcal meningitis outbreaks occur during the dry season from December through June, particularly in northern regions including Saint-Louis, Louga, and Matam within the meningitis belt. Vaccination against meningococcal groups A, C, W, and Y reduces risk. Schistosomiasis transmission occurs in freshwater bodies including the Senegal River, Gambia River, and irrigation canals in the Senegal River valley. Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater outside chlorinated pools. Rabies exists in domestic dog populations throughout the country. Post-exposure prophylaxis availability is inconsistent outside Dakar. Healthcare facilities handle routine conditions adequately in urban centers but medical evacuation to Europe may be necessary for serious trauma, cardiac events, stroke, or conditions requiring surgical intervention beyond basic procedures. International medical evacuation insurance should specify air ambulance coverage to Dakar or direct international evacuation.
Pharmacies in Dakar stock common medications including antibiotics, antimalarials, and chronic disease medications though brand availability varies. Pharmacie de Garde operates a rotating 24-hour pharmacy schedule posted at pharmacy locations and available through local inquiry. Provincial pharmacies maintain limited inventories with frequent stockouts of specific medications. Travelers requiring prescription medications should carry sufficient supply for the entire trip duration plus additional supply for potential delays. Carry medications in original packaging with prescription documentation translated into French. Injectable medications and controlled substances require physician letters in French stating medical necessity. Blood supply screening exists in Dakar hospitals but quality control varies. Request single-use needles and equipment where possible. HIV prevalence stands at approximately 0.5 percent in the general population with regional variation. Tuberculosis incidence reaches approximately 140 cases per 100,000 population annually with multidrug-resistant strains documented in Dakar and other urban centers.
Water safety varies substantially by location. Dakar municipal water undergoes treatment but infrastructure age affects quality consistency. Tap water in Dakar hotels and modern buildings generally meets consumption standards though visitors with sensitive digestive systems may prefer bottled water during acclimatization. Outside Dakar and major cities, water treatment is unreliable. Boil water for one minute above sea level or use filtration systems removing particles smaller than 1 micron including virus-capable filters. Bottled water brands including Kirène and Niayes are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Verify bottle seals before purchase. Ice in establishments catering to international visitors in Dakar typically uses treated water but confirmation is advisable. Street food and informal restaurants may use untreated water for washing produce and dishes. Food safety risks include bacterial contamination particularly in dishes containing raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, unpasteurized dairy, and inadequately cooked meat or seafood. Restaurants with consistent electrical refrigeration present lower risk than street vendors with intermittent cooling. Fish and seafood quality is high in coastal cities when consumed at establishments with visible cold storage. Thieboudienne and other rice-based dishes served hot carry minimal risk. Salads, uncooked garnishes, and fruit salads in juice raise contamination concerns in informal settings. Peel all fruit personally. Avoid raw oysters and shellfish. Traveler's diarrhea affects approximately 30 to 50 percent of visitors within the first two weeks with most cases self-limiting within three to five days. Oral rehydration solutions are available at pharmacies. Consult a physician if symptoms persist beyond 72 hours, fever exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, or blood appears in stool.
Petty crime including pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft occurs in Dakar tourist areas, markets, and public transportation. Sandaga Market, Kermel Market, the Plateau business district, and the Corniche coastal road experience regular incidents. Thieves work in pairs or small groups with one distracting the victim while others remove bags or valuables. Motorcycles execute drive-by bag snatchings on pedestrians. Beach areas including N'Gor, Yoff, and Ouakam beaches have reported theft from unattended belongings and occasional confrontational robbery. Avoid displaying jewelry, expensive watches, cameras, or electronic devices unnecessarily. Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuable items. Carry only essential items when walking. Cross-body bags worn in front reduce snatch risk compared to shoulder bags or backpacks. Smartphone theft peaks in crowded transport stations including Gare Routière Pompiers and Petersen in Dakar. Avoid using phones visibly on public transport or while walking in crowded areas.
Violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon but armed robbery has occurred in isolated beach areas after dark, in taxis with unofficial drivers, and in some residential neighborhoods distant from tourist zones. The Casamance region in southern Senegal has experienced separatist conflict since 1982 with periodic ceasefire violations. Landmines remain present in rural Casamance areas particularly in Bignona, Oussouye, and Sédhiou departments despite ongoing clearance operations. Travel to Casamance requires current security assessment. The main road connecting Ziguinchor to Gambia and Guinea-Bissau borders has experienced banditry and checkpoint incidents. Consult embassy advisories before traveling to Casamance. Saint-Louis, Touba, Thiès, and other northern cities maintain stable security situations comparable to Dakar though infrastructure for tourist assistance is less developed.
Informal taxi drivers operating unlicensed vehicles have been involved in incidents including overcharging, route deviation, and opportunistic theft. Use only registered taxis identifiable by yellow and black paint with taxi numbering visible on doors. Ride-hailing applications including Yango and Heetch operate in Dakar providing driver identification and route tracking. Negotiate taxi fares before departure or insist on meter use where functional. Women travelers report increased verbal harassment and unwanted attention particularly when walking alone. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as invitation. Firm verbal refusal in French typically ends interaction. Group travel reduces harassment frequency. Dress covering shoulders and knees aligns with local norms outside beach resort areas though Dakar shows substantial variety in dress codes.
Scams targeting tourists include unofficial tour guides at Gorée Island ferry terminals, inflated craft prices in markets with aggressive selling tactics, fake charity collectors particularly involving children, and street moneychangers offering favorable rates then shortchanging or providing counterfeit bills. Exchange currency only at banks, established exchange bureaus, or hotel front desks. At Gorée Island and other tourist sites, official guides wear identification badges issued by the Senegalese tourism ministry. Informal guides offering services often demand payment disputes at tour conclusion. Politely decline unsolicited guide services. Photography restrictions apply to government buildings, military installations, airports, and the Presidential Palace. Photograph people only after requesting and receiving permission. Some individuals request payment for photographs particularly in traditional dress or performing activities. Clarify expectations before photographing.