Dakar, Senegal: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Dakar, Senegal? If you're planning to go to Dakar, this article contains some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Dakar, Senegal

Based on the climate and weather in Dakar, the best time to go is April. See below for details.

Important essentials for Dakar, Senegal

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Dakar, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022


  • A vaccine card protector

    Vaccine cards can get worn. An unreadable card may result in severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.


  • Hand sanitizer

    This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly choice.


  • Travel disinfecting wipes

    Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.


  • N95 masks to use in crowded airports

    These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection available.


  • Kids' KN95 masks

    N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).


  • Travel insurance

    If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans

General health necessities

Don't forget these

What to wear/what to pack for Dakar, Senegal by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you vacation in Dakar during January, you are likely to notice that it is warm and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C). Humidity is generally between 50 and 60% during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

February

If you go to Dakar in February, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s F (mid 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

March

If you vacation in Dakar during March, you might find that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C). Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

April

April is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

May

If you visit Dakar during May, you might notice that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 60s F (low 20s C). Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

June

If you go to Dakar in June, you will notice that it is extremely warm and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

July

If you vacation in Dakar during July, you will probably see that it is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 70s F (mid 20s C). Humidity is generally around 70 during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain regularly.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

August

August is hot and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

September

If you are traveling to Dakar in September, you will notice that it is extremely hot. Expect it to rain 5-10 days this month. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

October

If you vacation in Dakar during October, you are likely to notice that it can be sweltering and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 70s F (mid 20s C). Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

November

If you visit Dakar during November, you are likely to find that it is extremely warm and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C). Humidity is generally between 50 and 60% during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

December

December for Dakar is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are going to see the majestic Dakar Grand Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who can enter the building; you should check with the Dakar tourism authority.

If you go to Hann Park and Zoo, you're likely to do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet

Activities for Dakar, Senegal

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Dakar.

Check out our guides for these other locations: Bauska, Latvia, Semkovo, Bulgaria, Central Aegean, Turkey, Vanino, Russia, Vaavu, Maldives, Central Panama, Panama, Karatsu, Japan, Coxen Hole, Honduras, Tipón, Peru, Nasugbu, Philippines, and Bekal, India.