COVID-19

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the Casamance region, except for Cap Skirring, Zinguinchor and the main road connecting these two cities due to armed banditry and clashes between separatist groups and the Senegalese army (level 3 of 4).

Avoid non-essential travel to the eastern border with Senegal and Mali due to the volatile security situation (level 3 of 4).

Exercise increased caution

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Senegal due to the level of crime. (level 2 of 4).

View Larger Map Close/Open map

Senegal

Casamance region
The security situation in the Casamance region (between the border area of the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau) of Senegal is highly unstable. Armed bandits operate in the area and have been known to ambush cars and buses resulting in injuries and death. There are also continuing clashes between the Senegalese Army and armed separatists groups in the region, despite violence waning after a ceasefire agreement in 2014.

All road travel in the Casamance region should be avoided, except for direct roads between Cap Skiring and Ziguinchor, and along the main road between Sao Domingos and Ziguinchor. The area to the West of Kolda is particularly dangerous. Any travel that is undertaken should be on well-used roads and only during daylight hours as the threat of banditry increases at night.

Landmines are an additional concern in the region, particularly on the Guinea-Bissau border and in Basse-Casamance. As demining operations are ongoing, New Zealanders should seek local advice and stick to paved roads.

Terrorism
While Senegal has not experienced any recent terrorist attacks, there is a threat of terrorism throughout the Western Africa region, such as in Burkina Faso, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which claimed responsibility for these attacks, has indicated its intent to conduct further attacks in the region.

There is a threat of kidnapping across the  Sahel region. You should take particular care in remote regions, to the east of Podor as far as Kidira, and in areas bordering Mauritania and Mali where jihadist groups are active. 

New Zealanders in Senegal are advised to keep informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. Follow any instructions issued by the local authorities and exercise vigilance in public places including potential targets such as beach resorts, hotels, cafes and restaurants which are frequented by foreigners.

Civil Unrest
Demonstrations and protests are frequent in Senegal. New Zealanders in Senegal are advised to avoid all political gatherings, protests and demonstrations as even those intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn violent.

Crime
Street crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common in Senegal, particularly in urban areas such as Dakar. There has been an increase in violent crime, including home and armed robberies and muggings at knifepoint, particularly in the run up to religious festivals.

New Zealanders are advised to be conscious of their personal safety and avoid walking in isolated places or at night. You should be particularly security conscious along the Corniche road, especially on East Corniche (Petite Corniche) and on Corniche d’Ouest, the Gorée pier, around the Place de l’Independence and at Dakar's Leopold Senghor International Airport.

When arriving at the airport do not accept offers of assistance with your luggage and make sure the person greeting you at the airport is genuine by checking they have your arrival details already written down.

Scams
Many forms of commercial and internet fraud are common in West Africa. New Zealanders should be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true, as they may be a scam. For further information see our advice on Internet Fraud and International Scams and Internet Dating Scams.

General Travel Advice
As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in Senegal, the ability of the government to provide consular assistance to New Zealand citizens is severely limited. 

We offer advice to New Zealanders about contingency planning that travellers to Senegal should consider.

Authorities may ask for proof of identity, so carry a colour photocopy of the biodata page of your passport at all times. Failure to produce this could result in arrest.

New Zealanders travelling or living in Senegal should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

New Zealanders in Senegal are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

Travel tips

• For current health alerts

---

The New Zealand Embassy Paris, France is accredited to Senegal

Street Address 103, rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France Telephone +33 1 45 01 43 43 Alternate Telephone Lost/Stolen Passports: +44 (20) 7968 2730 Emergency Telephone In France: 01 45 01 43 43, from abroad: +33 1 45 01 43 43. For consular emergencies after-hours +64 99 20 20 20 Email embassy.nz.fr@gmail.com Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/france Hours Mon 10:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00, Tues-Fri 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00

See our regional advice for Africa