This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (demonstrations). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution because of the risk of civil unrest and criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

During the first quarter of 2008, there have been demonstrations in response to the rising cost of food and fuel. You should avoid all large gatherings and political rallies as they may turn violent, particularly in the capital Dakar. Likely places for demonstrations, including government buildings and other public areas, should be avoided. Australians are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, especially at night.

Casamance region: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Casamance region of southern Senegal because of the risk of clashes between separatist rebels and Senegalese Government forces and the unpredictable security situation. The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of people and loss of lives in the region. Armed bandits also operate in the area and travellers have been attacked on roads between Ziguinchor and the Gambian capital, Banjul, and from Bignona to Sedobam near the Gambian border. If you do decide to travel to the Casamance region you should exercise extreme caution.

Crime

Pickpockets, bag snatchers and scam artists are active in large crowds. Muggings and robberies are common in the restaurant district of Dakar (La Petite Corniche), Dakar's Leopold Senghor International Airport and the restaurant area of St Louis. Criminals are known to target foreigners.

Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in west African countries, including Senegal. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.

Local Travel

The standard of public transport is poor. Ferries in particular are often dangerously overcrowded.

Overland travel is unsafe due to poor roads and inadequate lighting, especially at night. Pedestrians and animals on the road pose additional safety risks.

Landmines are a danger in Casamance and along the border with Guinea-Bissau.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy season is July to September when flooding may occur and road conditions deteriorate.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Credit cards are accepted at major hotels in Dakar and travellers' cheques can be exchanged at most banks. There are limited ATMs in Senegal that accept international cards.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Senegal, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Possession or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in severe penalties, including long jail sentences.

Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol are severe and include imprisonment.

Homosexual acts are illegal and penalties include imprisonment.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Senegal. During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. You should take care not to offend.

Information for Dual Nationals

While the government of Senegal recognises dual nationality, officials may place restrictions on the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/Senegalese dual nationals if they are detained or arrested.

Australian/Senegalese dual nationals may be liable for civil/military obligations. Before travel, Australian/Senegalese dual nationals should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Senegal.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Senegal for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Senegal. Failure to present a certificate can result in detention in a quarantine facility and/or mandatory vaccination at the point of arrival, at the expense of the traveller.

Senegal is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities in Senegal are limited, especially outside the capital, Dakar. Most doctors and hospitals will expect immediate cash payment for medical care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could exceed $A100,000.

Malaria is endemic throughout the year in Senegal. Other mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever and yellow fever) also occur in the region. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis, meningitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Senegal. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in Senegal. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:

Canadian Embassy
Corner Rue Galleni and Rue Briere de l'Isle
Dakar
Senegal
Telephone (221) 33 889 4700
Facsimilie (221) 33 889 4720
e-mail: dakar@international.gc.ca

You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Ghana:

Australian High Commission
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, GHANA
Telephone: (+233) 21 701 2961-3 or (+233) 21 777 080
Facsimile: (+233) 21 776 803
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to Senegal, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Embassy or High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.