A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 18.
Call 15, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call 33 860 3810 for the Tourist Police, or go to the nearest police station.
If the Tourist Police can't help you, call one of the general police hotline numbers:
Exercise a high degree of caution in Senegal overall.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Senegal overall due to the threat of criminal activity and civil unrest. See Safety
Reconsider your need to travel to Casamance region of southern Senegal, except Cap Skirring, Ziguinchor and the main road between these cities.
Reconsider your need to travel to the Casamance region of southern Senegal - except Cap Skirring, Ziguinchor and the main road between these cities - due to the volatile security situation. See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Demonstrations are common near Senegal's government buildings and in public areas. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
More information:
Unrest occurs near the border with Guinea. This area is home to displaced persons and refugees, and military operations sometimes happen.
The situation in the Casamance region in southern Senegal is volatile. Armed bandits sometimes attack travellers in the area. Conflict between separatist groups and the Senegalese Army is possible. People have died.
There are landmines in the region.
To protect yourself from local conflict:
Security risks are lower in the cities of Cap Skirring and Ziguinchor.
If you travel to Cap Skirring or Ziguinchor, travel directly by air, sea or only on the main road between the two locations.
If, despite the risks, you travel elsewhere in the Casamance region:
You're most at risk of petty crime in large crowds. Look out for:
In Dakar, muggings and robberies happen:
Petty crime also occurs in St Louis's restaurant area.
Criminals target foreigners, especially at night. Home robberies also happen often.
To protect yourself from crime:
Internet scams come in many forms, including romance, friendship, business and job offers. These scams often originate in West African countries, including Senegal.
If you travel to Senegal as a scam victim, you may be at risk of kidnapping, assault and robbery. Some scam victims have been killed.
In commercial scams, criminals ask for details of safe bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. They may:
In relationship scams, criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites or chat rooms. Once a connection develops, they may ask you to send money so they can come to Australia.
After you transfer money, the relationship ends.
They may also ask you to come to Africa to meet them.
To protect yourself from scams:
If you suspect a scam, get legal advice.
Don't travel to Senegal to get your money back or to get revenge. You could be in danger.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. This includes in Senegal.
In October 2017, the US Government identified possible terrorist threats in Dakar. The threat focused on hotels and other popular destinations for Westerners. Security screening has increased.
Remote areas are vulnerable to terror attacks, including by groups from nearby countries. This includes areas:
To stay safe from terrorism:
If you must visit a possible terror target, always have an exit plan.
If there's an attack, leave the area immediately if you can.
Avoid the area where the attack occurred, due to the risk of secondary attacks.
More information:
No Westerners have been kidnapped in Senegal recently, but kidnapping does happen in nearby countries.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
Read our advice about kidnapping before you travel to Senegal, especially if you plan to visit regions bordering Mali and Mauritania.
The rainy season is July to September. Flooding may happen, which makes some roads hard to travel.
To protect yourself if a natural disaster or severe weather occurs:
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Senegal. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Yellow fever (Department of Health) is common in Senegal. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Other common insect-borne diseases include:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
More information:
The rate of HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) infection is high.
Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.
Common waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases including these listed by the World Health Organization:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
Facilities in Senegal are limited, especially outside Dakar.
You may need to pay cash up-front before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.
If you're seriously sick or injured, you'll need evacuation to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. This can include long jail terms.
More information:
You must carry photo ID at all times. If authorities request ID and you can't provide it, they can put you in jail.
Be careful when taking photos. It's illegal to photograph:
It's also illegal to:
You must have approval to import:
Get customs clearance if you take any of these items.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Senegal recognises dual nationality.
If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
Australia-Senegal dual nationals may have civil or military service obligations in Senegal. Check with an embassy or consulate of Senegal before you travel.
More information:
Senegal has conservative standard of behaviour and dress. Avoid revealing clothing and inappropriate displays of public affection. Take care not to offend.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan will be from late April to late May in 2020. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public and around people who are fasting.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
Contact an Embassy or Consulate of Senegal for entry and exit details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Senegal. If you don't have a certificate, authorities may quarantine you. You may also need a mandatory vaccination at your own cost.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever (Department of Health).
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the West African CFA Franc (XOF).
You can't easily change Australian dollars.
You can change US dollars and euros at commercial banks and exchange bureaus.
Major hotels in Dakar accept credit cards. You'll find ATMs in Dakar, but banking facilities are hard to find outside the capital.
Plan ahead. Have enough cash to meet your needs.
Ask your bank if your cards will work. Credit and debit card fraud is common.
Landmines are a danger in the Casamance region, particularly along the Guinea-Bissau border.
To drive in Senegal, you need both:
Get an IDP before you leave Australia.
Driving in Senegal can be dangerous. Hazards include:
If you plan to drive in Senegal:
More information:
Check with your travel insurer if your policy covers you to ride a motorbike.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and limousines. It's best to arrange these through your hotel.
Avoid using public transport in Senegal. Road safety is an issue, and vehicles are poorly maintained.
Ferry travel is risky due to low safety standards and bad weather. There may be too many passengers and not enough life jackets. Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Senegal's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 18.
Call 15, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call 33 860 3810 for the Tourist Police, or go to the nearest police station.
If the Tourist Police can't help you, call one of the general police hotline numbers:
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Senegal.
The Canadian Embassy in Dakar can provide consular help, including provisional travel documents.
You can also get consular help from the Australian High Commission in Ghana.
Corner of Gallieni and Amadou Cisse Dia Streets
Dakar, Senegal
Phone: (+22 1) 3 3889 4700
Fax: (+22 1) 3 3889 4720
Email: dakar@international.gc.ca
Website: canadainternational.gc.ca/senegal/index.aspx
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Phone: +23 3 3 0221 6400
Fax: +23 3 3 0221 6410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Website: ghana.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Ghana
Twitter: @AusAmbGHA
See the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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