Difference between revisions of "Senegal"

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(Checkpoints)
(General Road quality)
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==Roads==
 
==Roads==
 
===General Road quality===
 
===General Road quality===
''Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.''
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''Senegal has reasonable roads. Some stretches have potholes, specially if the roads have heavy truck traffic. But in general its not to bad.''
  
 
===Road signs===
 
===Road signs===

Revision as of 22:39, 14 July 2013


Currency to display:

Entering Senegal with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)

Required Paperwork

Senegal has a few strange rules. Cars older then 8 years ( use to be 5) are not allowed to enter Senegal. If you have a carnet you might get a special permission. It depends on the day and the custom officer. Last time I was there (2012) they allowed me 3 days. If I wanted to stay longer I had to go to Dakar main custom office to get it extended. If you don't have a carnet bu still want to pass through you have to buy an expensive paper for a few hundred Dollar, after which they will allow you to pass through in 48 or 72 hours. Besides this you need your original car registration, in the same name as your pasport.

Process at border

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Senegal, application instructions and fees see: Senegal Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle

Cost of entry

Entering Senegal should be free. However, customs, police and immigration are increasingly demanding unofficial fees for stamp, permits and inspection. Not big amounts, perhaps CFA 2000 here and there. Its anoying and illigal, refusing to pay is possible ofcourse but expect to be delayed.

Permitted length of stay

State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle

Extension of stay

If you need to extend your car papers you wil have to visit one of the main custom offices. Its a tidious process and you are at the mercy of the custom official. There is an office in st. louis, ( if you cross the bridge its on the left, but due to one way traffic you have to drive round), but the main office is in Dakar, at the main gate of the port. St Louis officials might refer you to Dakar, which wil ost you a lot of time gettingthere and back. All in all its not a tourist friendly process.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.

Driving in Senegal

Insurance requirements

Liability insurance is mandatory and can usually be bought at the border. If you travel through more west African countries get a 'carte Brun' wich is valid in most west African countries at no extra cost. Expect to pay 10 to 20 thousand CFA per vehicle per month, depending on engine size.

Cost of insurance

State the price of insurance and a time period.

Where to purchase insurance

If you are coming in from Mauretania (diema border), just after the Senegalese border there is a small wooden shack/restaurant. The lady sells insurance and she has reasonable prices, even changes your money, just watch cause she gives bad exchange rates..

Driving license

State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.

Driving side of road

Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Senegal.

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Senegal has reasonable roads. Some stretches have potholes, specially if the roads have heavy truck traffic. But in general its not to bad.

Road signs

Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.

Toll roads

List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.

Bribery in Senegal

Briefly describe how common bribery is and whether it should be expected, and the best way to deal with it.

Checkpoints

There used to be a lot of checkpoints in Senegal where tourist got hassled for money, the one just exciting st. louis being one of the most notorious. However the President has called for a stop to this and now its better. Lets hope it stays that way.

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas price in Senegal and Diesel price in Senegal

Last updated: October 2012

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded €1.55 EUR per Liter[1]
Diesel €1.32 EUR per Liter[1]

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Senegal

Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Description of the best paper maps and where to purchase them.

GPS Maps of Senegal

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Senegal

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Travel Guide Books

Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Miscon...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Lonely Planet The Gambia & Senegal (multi Country Trav...
Lonely Planet The Gambia & Senegal (multi Country Trav...
by Katharina Kane
From $63.57 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon

List good travel guide books (not necessarily Overland related.

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Senegal

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.

  1. 1.0 1.1 World petrol prices, gas prices, diesel prices|MyTravelCost.com

Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.