🇸🇳 Flights to Senegal
Cheap Flights to Senegal from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Dakar, the vibrant capital of West Africa. Dream Fare beats comparison sites with exclusive fares for the UK Senegalese community and beach holiday seekers.
Your Gateway to Senegal
Flights to Dakar
Blaise Diagne International Airport is the gateway to one of West Africa\u2019s most cosmopolitan and vibrant countries.
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FROM £499Dakar
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
Senegal\u2019s vibrant capital on the Atlantic coast. Gateway to the Pink Lake, Goree Island (UNESCO), Cap Skirring beaches and the Casamance region. One of West Africa\u2019s most cosmopolitan and dynamic cities.
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Airlines
Airlines Flying to Senegal from UK
We compare all airlines on the London to Dakar route to find you the best price.
Baggage Allowances to Senegal
When to Fly
Best Time to Fly to Senegal
Senegal has a dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to October. The dry season is the best time to visit for beaches, wildlife and city exploration. Senegal is on GMT year-round.
Best Season
November — May
Dry, sunny and warm. Perfect for beaches at Cap Skirring and Saly, birdwatching in the Casamance and exploring Dakar. Fares competitive outside Christmas.
Shoulder Season
June — July
Beginning of the rains. Lower fares and lush green scenery. Still a manageable time to visit with some showers.
Wet Season
August — September
Heaviest rainfall. Cheapest fares of the year. The Casamance is particularly green and lush. For adventurous flexible travellers.
Book Early
October — December
End of rains and Christmas demand builds. December is the most expensive month. Book 3 to 4 months ahead for festive travel.
Senegal Weather & Packing Guide
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Dakar & Cap Vert Peninsula
Dakar has a relatively mild coastal climate due to Atlantic trade winds. Dry season temperatures range from 18°C to 32°C. Pack light layers for cooler evenings from December to February. Malaria prophylaxis recommended for all areas.
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Casamance & Interior
Hotter and more humid than Dakar, particularly in the south and interior. The Casamance region is lush and tropical. Pack light cotton clothing, insect repellent and sun protection for travel south of Dakar.
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Harmattan Season
From December to February the Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara bringing dusty, hazy conditions to northern Senegal. Pack lip balm and moisturiser. The haze can occasionally affect visibility at Dakar airport.
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General Packing Tips
Senegal uses Type C/D/E plugs — bring a universal adapter. Pack modest clothing for visits to mosques — Senegal is a predominantly Muslim country and dress modestly outside beach areas. Carry small change for markets.
Culture & Food
Senegalese Culture, Food & Traditions
Senegal is one of West Africa\u2019s most stable and culturally vibrant countries \u2014 a Muslim-majority nation known for its extraordinary music, world-class wrestling tradition, outstanding cuisine and legendary hospitality (Teranga).
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Thieboudienne — National Dish
Thieboudienne (rice and fish) is Senegal’s national dish and one of the great rice dishes of the world. Also try Yassa (grilled chicken or fish with onion and lemon sauce), Mafé (peanut stew) and freshly grilled barracuda on the beach.
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Mbalax — Soul of Senegal
Senegal is the birthplace of Mbalax — a vibrant fusion of Cuban rhythms and West African drumming. Youssou N’Dour is Senegal’s greatest musical ambassador. The sabar drumming tradition is extraordinary and deeply embedded in daily life.
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La Lutte — Senegalese Wrestling
Senegalese traditional wrestling (La Lutte) is the country’s most popular sport — even more popular than football. Major fights draw huge crowds at the Demba Diop Stadium in Dakar. Wrestlers are national heroes.
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Attaya — Tea Ceremony
The Senegalese tea ceremony (Attaya) is a daily social ritual using Chinese green tea brewed three times — the first strong, the second sweeter, the third sweetest. Sharing tea is an act of friendship and hospitality.
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Football & AFCON
Senegal is one of Africa’s great football nations. The Lions of Teranga won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. Sadio Mane — from the village of Bambali — is one of the greatest African footballers of his generation.
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Teranga — Legendary Hospitality
Teranga (Wolof for hospitality and welcome) is the defining spirit of Senegalese culture. Guests are treated with extraordinary generosity. Senegal is consistently considered one of the safest and most welcoming countries in West Africa.
Top Attractions
Top Places to Visit in Senegal
Senegal offers a remarkable combination of history, wildlife, beaches and culture within a safe and welcoming country.
Goree Island
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most important historical sites. The House of Slaves (La Maison des Esclaves) with its famous Door of No Return is one of the most moving monuments to the transatlantic slave trade. A 20-minute ferry from Dakar.
Pink Lake (Lac Rose)
Lake Retba north of Dakar turns pink due to a rare algae — most vivid from November to June. Salt workers harvest salt from the lake by hand. A remarkable and otherworldly landscape unlike anything else in West Africa.
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important wetland bird sanctuaries. Over 1.5 million birds including pelicans, flamingos and herons. Located near Saint-Louis in northern Senegal.
Casamance Region
Senegal’s most beautiful and diverse region in the far south. Lush tropical forests, hidden beaches, traditional Diola villages and the peaceful town of Ziguinchor. Accessible by overnight boat from Dakar.
Saint-Louis
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Senegal’s former colonial capital. The island city of Saint-Louis has extraordinary French colonial architecture, jazz festivals and the Langue de Barbarie beach. One of West Africa’s most atmospheric cities.
Cap Skirring Beaches
Senegal’s finest beaches in the Casamance region. Pristine stretches of Atlantic sand with turquoise water, fishing villages and excellent surf. Far fewer crowds than comparable West African beach destinations.
Visa & Travel Tips
Senegal Travel Guide
Everything you need to know before flying to Senegal from the UK.
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Visa Requirements
UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Senegal for stays of up to 90 days. Simply present your valid UK passport on arrival. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date from Senegal.
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Currency & Money
Senegal uses the West African CFA Franc (XOF). EUR and USD can be exchanged at Dakar airport and banks. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants in Dakar. Carry CFA cash for markets, taxis and outside the capital.
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Health & Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for entry into Senegal — carry your yellow card. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all areas. Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations also advised. Visit your GP at least 6 weeks before departure.
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SIM Cards & Connectivity
Orange Senegal and Free Senegal SIM cards available at Dakar airport and across the country. 4G coverage is reliable in Dakar and major cities. Coverage can be limited in rural areas and the Casamance region.
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Getting Around
Dakar has taxis and Yango (ride-hailing). Sept-place shared taxis connect cities efficiently. Domestic flights connect Dakar to Ziguinchor (Casamance) and Saint-Louis. The overnight pirogue boat to Casamance is an experience in itself.
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Safety Tips
Senegal is one of West Africa’s most stable and safe countries. Dakar requires standard urban precautions. Be aware of persistent street vendors in tourist areas. The Casamance was historically affected by a low-level conflict — check FCDO advice before travelling south.
FAQs
Flights to Senegal FAQ
How long is the flight from London to Dakar?
Air Senegal operates a direct service from London Heathrow to Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport in approximately 6 hours. Connecting options via Paris CDG (Air France) take around 8 hours. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul takes approximately 10 hours.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Senegal?
No. UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Senegal for stays of up to 90 days. Simply present your valid UK passport on arrival at Dakar airport. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date.
What is the best time to visit Senegal?
November to May — the dry season — is the best time to visit Senegal for beaches, city exploration and wildlife. The Djoudj Bird Sanctuary is at its best from November to April. The rainy season from June to October brings lush scenery and lower airfares.
What is Senegal famous for?
Senegal is famous for its legendary hospitality (Teranga), its vibrant music (Mbalax, Youssou N’Dour), traditional wrestling (La Lutte), the national dish Thieboudienne, Goree Island's slave house, the Pink Lake and football star Sadio Mane.
Is Senegal safe to visit?
Yes. Senegal is consistently considered one of the safest and most stable countries in West Africa. It has never experienced a military coup and has a strong democratic tradition. Dakar requires standard urban precautions. Check FCDO advice for the Casamance region before travel.
How much do flights from London to Senegal cost?
Return flights from London to Dakar start from approximately £499 with Dream Fare. Prices vary by airline, season and booking lead time. Contact us for the latest fares and exclusive deals.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.