Expatriates Forums in Senegal

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN SENEGAL / SENEGAL HOTEL GUIDE

Senegal Info — Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:46 am

Author: Senegal Info

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:46 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN SENEGAL

Al Afifa
46, Rue Jules Ferry,
Dakar
Tél: +221 889 9090
Fax: +221 823 8839

Club Med Almadies
Pointe des Almadies,
Dakar
Tél: +221 869 5454
Fax: +221 820 4379

Farid Hotel
51 Rue Vincens,
Dakar
Tél: +221 821 6127
Fax: +221 821 0894
Website: www.hotelfarid.com

Hotel Croix Du Sud
20 Avenue Albert Sarraut,
Dakar
Tél: +221 889 7878
Fax: +221 823 2655
Website: www.lacroixdusud.net

Hotel du Plateau
62, Rue Jules Ferry,
Dakar
Tél: +221 823 1526 / 4420
Fax: +221 823 4780
Email: hduplateau@arc.sn

Hotel Faidherbe
Avenue Faidherbe x Raffenel,
Dakar
Tél: +221 889 1750
Fax: +221 889 1749
Website: www.hotel-faidherbe.com

Hotel Lagon 2
Route de la Corniche Est,
Dakar
Tél: +221 889 2525
Fax: +221 823 7727
Website: www.lagon.sn

Hotel Miramar
25-27, Rue Félix Faure,
Dakar
Tél: +221 849 2929 / 823 2097 / 9818
Fax: +221 823 3505
Website: www.dakar-miramar.com

Hotels Ngor & Diarama Complex
Route de Ngor,
Dakar
Tél: +221 820 2724
Fax: +221 820 2723
Email: info@hotels-ngordiarama.com
Website: www.hotels-ngordiarama.com

Hotel Nina
43, Rue du Docteur Théze,
Dakar
Tél: +221 889 0120
Fax: +221 889 0181
Email: hotelnina@sentoo.sn

Independence Hotel
2 Place de L'Independence,
Dakar
Tél: +221 823 1019
Fax: +221 822 1117
Email: hotelhi@sentoo.sn

Le Meridien President Dakar
Pointe des Almadies,
Dakar
Tel: +221 869 6969
Fax : +221 869 6924
Website: www.dakar.lemeridien.com

Novotel Dakar
Avenue Abdoulaye Fadiga,
Dakar
Tél: +221 849 6161
Fax: +221 823 8929
Website: www.novotel.com

Sofitel Teranga Dakar
Rue Colbert,
Dakar
Tel: +221 889 2200
Website: www.accorhotels.com

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN SENEGAL

Senegal Info — Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:15 am

Author: Senegal Info

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:15 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN SENEGAL

ARGENTINA
Embassy of Argentina
34-36 Boulevard de la République,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 821 5171 / 822 1136
Fax: (+221) 822 1136

AUSTRALIA
Embassy of Australia
45 Avenue de la Republique,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 823 9290
Fax: (+221) 823 8749
Website: www.embassy.gov.au/sn

AUSTRIA
Embassy of Austria
18, Rue Emile Zola,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 849 4000
Fax: (+221) 849 4370
Email: dakar-ob@bmaa.gv.at

BELGIUM
Embassy of Belgium
Route de la Petite Corniche Est,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 821 2524 / 4027 / 822 4720
Fax: (+221) 821 6345
Email: dakar@diplobel.org
Website: www.diplobel.be

BRAZIL
Embassy of Brazil
Immeuble Fondation Fahd,
Blvd Djily Mbaye x Rue Macodou Ndiaye, 4eme,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 823 1492
Fax: (+221) 823 7181
Email: embdakar@sonatel.senet.net

CANADA
Embassy of Canada
Street Galliéni x Brière of Isle,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 889 4700
Fax: (+221) 889 4720
Email: dakar@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/dakar

CHINA
Embassy of China
30, Avenue Nelson Mandela,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 821 9819 / 9820
Fax: (+221) 821 9821

CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Rue Aimé Césaire,
Fann Résidence,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 825 7782 / 824 6526
Fax: (+221) 824 1406 / 825 1755
Email: dakar@embassy.mzv.cz
Website: www.mzv.cz/dakar , www.czechembassy.org

EGYPT
Embassy of Egypt
Immeuble Sorano,
45, Blvd de la République,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 889 2474 / 842 6361
Fax: (+221) 821 8993

FRANCE
Embassy of France
1 Rue El Hadj Amadou Assane Ndoye,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 839 5100 / 5147 / 5262
Fax: (+221) 839 5181 / 5260
Website: www.ambafrance-sn.org

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
20, Avenue Pasteur,
Angle Rue Mermoz,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 889 4884
Fax: (+221) 822 5299
Website: www.ambassade-allemagne.sn

INDIA
Embassy of India
5, Avenue Cadre,
1st Floor,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 821 0979 / 822 5875
Fax: (+221) 822 3585
Email: indiahom@telecomplus.sn , indiacom@sentoo.sn
Website: www.ambassadeinde.sn

INDONESIA
Embassy of Indonesia
126, Sheik Anta Diop,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 825 7316 / 824 0738
Fax: (+221) 825 5896
Email: kbri@sentoo.sn

ISRAEL
Embassy of Israel
3 Place De Lindependance,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 823 3561 / 7965 / 8355
Fax: (+221) 823 6490
Email: info@dakar.mfa.gov.il

ITALY
Embassy of Italy
Rue Alpha Hachamiyou Tall,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 822 0076 / 0578 / 842 6294
Fax: (+221) 821 7580
Email: ambitsen@sentoo.sn
Website: www.ambitaliadakar.sn

JAPAN
Embassy of Japan
Boulevard Martin Luther King,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 849 5529 / 5500 / 5505
Fax: (+221) 849 5555 / 5511 / 823 7351

MALAYSIA
Embassy of Malaysia
No 7 VDN,
Fann Mermoz,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 825 8935 / 8936
Fax: (+221) 825 4719
Email: mwdakar@sentoo.sn

MOROCCO
Embassy of Morocco
Avenue Sheik Anta Diop,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 824 3836 / 6927
Fax: (+221) 825 7021
Email: ambmadk@sentoo.sn

NETHERLANDS
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands
37, Rue Kleber,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 849 0360
Fax: (+221) 821 7084
Email: dak@minbuza.nl
Website: www.nlambassadedakar.org

POLAND
Embassy of Poland
Fann Residence,
Western Corniche,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 825 2403 / 824 2354
Fax: (+221) 824 9526
Email: ambpolgn@cyg.sn

PORTUGAL
Embassy of Portugal
6, Avenue of the Ambassadors,
Martha Villa,
Fann Residence,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 864 0317 / 864 0323
Fax: (+221) 823 5096 / 864 0322
Email: amb.portugal.dakar@telecomplus.sn

ROMANIA
Embassy of Romania
Rue A Prolongée,
Point E,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 825 1913 / 2068
Fax: (+221) 824 9190
Email: romania@sentoo.sn

RUSSIA
Embassy of the Russian Federation
Avenue Jean Jaures x Rue Carnot,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 822 4821 / 2325 / 821 5960
Fax: (+221) 821 1372
Email: consrus@telecomplus.sn , ambrus@telecomplus.sn , ambrus@sentoo.sn

SOUTH AFRICA
Embassy of South Africa
Southern Mermoz,
Batch n°5,
Allotment Police academy,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 865 1959
Fax: (+221) 864 2359
Email: ambafsud@sentoo.sn
Website: www.saesenegal.info

SOUTH KOREA
Embassy of South Korea
3, Rue Parchappe,
Real Fayçal, 4th stage,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 822 5822 / 821 8658
Fax: (+221) 821 6600
Email: senegal@mofat.go.kr

SPAIN
Embassy of Spain
18-20, Avenue Nelson Mandela,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 821 1178 / 3081 / 823 9137
Fax: (+221) 821 6845 / 842 3684
Email: ambespsn@mail.mae.es

SWEDEN
Royal Embassy of Sweden
18, Rue Emile Zola,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 849 0333
Fax: (+221) 849 0340
Email: ambassaden.dakar@foreign.ministry.se

SWITZERLAND
Embassy of Switzerland
Rue Rene N'Diaye,
Angle Rue Seydou,
Nourou Tall,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 8230590
Fax: (+221) 8223657
Email: vertretung@dak.rep.admin.ch

THAILAND
Royal Embassy of Thailand
10 Rue Leon G. Damas,
Angle F,
Fann Residence,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 824 3076 / 825 7095 / 824 3801
Fax: (+221) 825 6360 / 824 8458
Email: thaidkr@sentoo.sn

UK
British Embassy
20, Rue Dr Guillet,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 823 7392 / 9971
Fax: (+221) 823 2766
Email: britembe@sentoo.sn
Website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk

USA
American Embassy
Avenue Jean XXIII,
Angle Rue Kleber,
Dakar
Phone: (+221) 823 4296 / 1035 / 821 5130
Fax: (+221) 822 2991 / 832 1766
Email: usadakar@state.gov
Website: www.dakar.usembassy.gov

GETTING AROUND IN SENEGAL / SENEGAL TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

Senegal Info — Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:19 am

Author: Senegal Info

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:19 am

GETTING AROUND IN SENEGAL

BY AIR

Air Senegal runs services to all the main towns in Senegal. Gambia Air Shuttle offers flights from Dakar to Banjul (The Gambia).There are aerodromes in Ziguinchor, Podor and Tamba.

Departure tax: None.

BY SEA

It is often quicker to travel by sea than road. A replacement ferry from Dakar to Ziquinchor (travel time - 20 hours) had its maiden voyage in 2005 after the Joola Ferry disaster of 2002. Sea shuttles depart regularly from Dakar harbour to the Île of Gorée. An excellent new service, L’Express du Senegal, links Banjul, Dakar and Ziguinchor. Fares tend to be high.

Dakar-Goree
Information: 823 80 06.
Every hour from and to Dakar between 6:30 AM and 10:30 PM, $6 round trip.

BY RAIL

The country has a network of about 1225km (761 miles) of rail track. Trains run from Dakar to towns en route for Bamako in Mali. There is an ongoing program of upgrading and expansion. Children under three travel free. Children aged three to nine pay half fare.

Railway Station: 823 31 40.

Dakar- Saint Louis (daily)
Dkr 3PM - SL 8PM
SL 6:30AM- Dkr 11:30 AM
$4 (2nd class) - $6 (1st class) one way

Dakar-Kaolack (daily)
Dkr 4PM- Klk 8:50PM
Klk 6:15AM - Dkr 11AM
$3-$4 one way

Dakar-Tambacounda-Bamako
Dkr 10AM (Wed., Sat.) Tb 7PM
Bmk 2:20PM next day
Bmk 10AM (Fri. Mond.) Dkr 2:20PM next day
The Senegalese train leaving on Wed. is air-conditioned.
The Malian train leaving on Sat. Train is ventilated.
$37-$58 one way.

BY ROAD

Traffic drives on the right. There are approximately 3900km (2423 miles) of asphalt roads linking the major towns and the coastal region. The network of roads in the interior is rough (about 10,400km/6460 miles in total) and may become impassable during the rainy season; it is not advisable to drive at night. There are often police checkpoints at the entrance and exit to villages to enforce speed restrictions; fines are paid on the spot.

Bus

There are many buses available for short distances as well as mini-buses (known locally as car-rapide), which are cheaper if less efficient. Fares are usually up to XOF100. Long-distance services operate subject to demand only.

Taxi brousse

To travel between cities is done by taxi-brousse or big Mercedes buses ("Ndiaga Ndiaye"), going to the bus station (gare routiere) Pompier in Dakar. The destinations are indicated on panels and the price depends on the condition of the vehicle and the road. You will also be required to pay a fixed price for your luggage.

Car rental

Companies are found in Dakar and the main towns.

Documentation: A French or International Driving Permit and Green Card are required.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Taxis are vailable in most towns and fares are metered with a surcharge of XOF100. Rates increase after midnight. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than arrange to be collected from the hotel.

The famous car-rapide Renault supplement the urban public transport in the large cities, in competition with the "Dakar Dem Dikk" bus company, that started in January 1st 2001, replacing SOTRAC.

In Dakar, where traffic is infernal, the car-rapides (small buses) are often crammed: avoid the peak hours. If you do not know the city, it will be hard to find your destination. The young ticket collector hanging from the rear door, calls out the final destination (Dakar, Dakar, Dakar, Dakar... or Pikine, Pikine, Pikine, Pikine, Pikine, Pikine...) the destination are called out as the car-rapide passes, often with an accent perfectly incomprehensible.

SENEGAL TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN SENEGAL

Senegal Info — Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:45 am

Author: Senegal Info

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:45 am

SENEGAL TOURISM GUIDE

DAKAR

A bustling modern city and major port situated at the tip of the Cap Vert peninsula. Dakar’s markets include the Kermel and the Sandaga, the former selling mainly fruit, fabrics, clothing and souvenirs, the latter being the city’s main fruit and fabrics market. The main museum is the Institut Fondemental d’Afrique Noir (IFAN), which has a collection of masks, statues and musical instruments from West Africa. Senegal’s Galérie Nationale is also worth a visit. The Palais Présidentiel (presidential palace) is a white building surrounded by luscious gardens. A recent addition to the city is the monument, La Porte du 3ème Millénaire (The Third Millennium Gate), which was assembled in order to symbolise Senegal's entry into the third millennium, completed in 2001. The Grande Mosquée, the city’s most famous mosque (noted for its minaret, which is lit at night), is closed to the public and located in Médina, which is off the tourist map. Dakar’s main beaches include the Plage Bel-Air and the cleaner and safer N’Gor and Yoff. Other good beaches within reach are Toubab Dialao and Yenn, which are well known for their spectacular red cliffs.

About 3km (1.8 miles) from the city lies the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Île de Gorée (Gorée Island), which used to be a slaving station and was one of the first French settlements on the continent. The island has many colonial-style houses, and a small beach, as well as two museums – the Maison des Esclaves (Slaves’ House) and the Historical Museum in the Fort d’Estrées. The Retba Lake (also called the Lac Rose or Pink Lake due to its pink coloring) is a popular spot for picnics and weekend excursions. It is also the terminal for the Paris-Dakar motor rally.

ST LOUIS

A former slave settlement and once Senegal’s capital, St Louis is partly located on the mainland, partly on an island and partly on the Langue de Barbarie peninsula at the mouth of the River Senegal. The city reached its zenith in 1854, when Faidherbe undertook the unification of the country, which was still divided into small kingdoms at that time. Due to the expansion of Dakar, St Louis inevitably lost some of its importance, but it retains a nostalgic and provincial atmosphere reflected in its narrow streets flanked by beautiful colonial houses, balconies and verandas. The island can be reached via the Pont Faidherbe. There are some good beaches and a cruise lasting several days can be made up the River Senegal.

THE PETITE COTE

South of Dakar, the Petite Côte (Little Coast), which stretches for some 150km (94 miles), is one of Senegal’s best beach areas. The main tourist resorts in the area are Mbour and, slightly further north, Saly Portudal, which is set in a green park and has the highest concentration of luxury hotels, as well as its own golf course.

SINE-SALOUM DELTA

Further south is the delta formed where the Saloum and Siné rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. This wild region of mangrove swamps, dunes and lagoons is also Senegal’s main groundnut-growing basin. Located largely within the Parc National du Delta du Saloum, the delta’s myriad small islands are scattered between so-called bolongs (channels). The most popular mode of transport in this beautiful region is the pirogue (traditional African boat), which can take visitors to a number of nearby islands: some of the most beautiful include Betani, Guior, Guissanor, the Île de Mars, Palmarin and Saloum. The palm-fringed sandy beaches along the coast give way to dense vegetation populated by small villages of fishermen and groundnut farmers.

BASSE CASAMANCE

This fertile, swampy region borders The Gambia in the north and Guinea-Bissau in the south. However, travelers are advised to avoid this region while political instability continues. The resorts of Cap Skiring and Ziguindor are considered safe at present but check the political situation before visiting. Cap Skiring, the region’s main tourist hub, has countless hotels along what are generally considered the country’s best beaches. The region is well known for its traditional mud houses (also called impluvium), the most striking examples of which can be found in Affinam (on the north bank of the Casamance River) and Enampor. On the island of Karaban, the ruins of a Breton church and a colonial settlement are worth visiting.

NATIONAL PARKS

There are six national parks and four reserves in Senegal. The best time for visiting is usually between October and April. The Senegalese Ministry of Tourism advocates a strict nature preservation policy which invites tourists to respect the natural habitat. Accommodation is available, mostly in the form of campements or lodges. For further information, contact the Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs.

In addition to the national parks, there are also the following natural reserves: Bandia (900 hectares; 2224 acres); Ferlo Nord (a huge 487,000 hectares; 1,203,403 acres); Guembuel (special fauna extending over 720 hectares; 1779 acres); Kalissaye (an ornithological reserve created in 1987 and 16 hectares in size; 40 acres); Ndiael (a fauna reserve); and Popenguine (extending over 1009 hectares; 2493 acres).

Parc National de Niokolo Koba

Occupying a total of 903,150 hectares (2,230,000 acres) and situated in the southeast, this is one of West Africa’s greatest reserves for large mammals. The park stretches over two geographical areas: the Sudanese savannah and the Guinea forest. Over 84 species live here, including Africa’s largest lions, elephants, panthers, crocodiles, a variety of antelopes and over 300 species of birds. Niokolo Koba can be reached by air (with a flight to Simenti and, from there, a two-hour drive); by road (from Dakar to Tambacounda on the RN1 and from there to the park on the RN7); or by train (two weekly trains from Dakar to Tambacounda). Visitors are not allowed to explore the park on foot. The park headquarters are in Tambacounda.

Parc National des Oiseaux de Djoudj

Situated in the northeast, 60km (37 miles) from St Louis, at the southern edge of the Sahara, this beautiful park has 40,000 acres of water stretches and is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. Its position makes it a favored gathering place for migrating birds and a number of previously unknown bird species have recently been observed. Numerous organised tours are available from St Louis. It is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Parc National de Basse Casamance

This park is 60km (38 miles) from Ziguinchor in the extreme south of the country, and extends over some 4920 hectares (12,300) acres of forest and mangroves. Situated in a very rainy region, the park benefits from the luxuriance of the Guinea forest with its kapok trees, oil palms and imposing parinarias. Basse Casamance is famous for its tropical vegetation and variety of wildlife, including the Derry Eland and Buffoon Cob antelope, as well as many species of monkeys. It can be reached by plane or car from Dakar. The park headquarters are in Oussouye.

Parc National Langue de Barbarie

A narrow strip of sandy lands between the Atlantic and the River Senegal, this park is a refuge for birds and sea tortoises who come here to breed. Boat trips from St Louis are available.

Parc National du Delta du Saloum

Situated in the Saloum delta, 80km (50 miles) east of Kaolack, and extending over 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres). The landscape is characterized by small islands, sand dunes and swamps, providing a perfect habitat for hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, storks and pink flamingos.

Parc National de l’Île de la Madeleine

Situated west of Dakar, 3km (1.7 miles) from the coast, this small archipelago is a protected marine park of approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres). The rocky nature of the archipelago, thought to be of volcanic origins, has favored the establishment of numerous colonies of sea birds.

SENEGAL TRAVEL INFORMATION / SENEGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Senegal Info — Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:24 am

Author: Senegal Info

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:24 am

SENEGAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Republic of Senegal

Capital City

Dakar

Area

196,190 sq km
75,749 sq miles

Population

11,987,000

Time Zone

GMT/UTC 0

Daylight Saving Start

not in use

Daylight Saving End

not in use

Languages

French (official)

Wolof (official)

Serer (other)

Diola (other)

Fula (other)

Tukulor (other)

Mandinka (other)

Religion

94% Islam, 5% Christian, 1% indigenous beliefs

Currency

CFA Franc BCEAO (CFA/ XOF)

Electricity

230V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

European plug with two circular metal pins

South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Country Dialing Code

221