Senegal Ports and Harbor

Gateway to Africa 

Port of Senegal

Because of its geographical situation, the Dakar Port is strategically located at the intersection of shipping routes connecting Europe to South America, North America to South Africa.

Dakar has one of the largest deep-water seaports along the  West African coast. Its deep-draft structure and 640-foot-wide (200 m) access channel allows round-the-clock access to the port. Its current infrastructure includes  tanker vessel loading and unloading terminals, a container terminal with a storage capacity of 3000 20-foot-equivalent units, a cereals and fishing port, a dedicated phosphate terminal and a privately run ship repair facility.The port’s location at the extreme western point of  Africa at the crossroad of the major sea-lanes linking Europe to South America, makes it a natural port of call for shipping companies.Total  frieight  traffic averages 10 million metric tons.

General Management of Port 

21, Boulevard de la Liberation, BP: 3195 Dakar 

Tel: (221) 33 849-45-45 

Fax: (221) 33 823-36-06 

Email: pad (@) portdakar.sn 

Customs

DG

Boulevard Robert Delmas

Phone (221) 33 821 13 28

Fax: (221) 33 821 44 84

SOUTH PORT Dakar

Mole II port Southeast BP 4033

Tel: (221) 33 821 43 80

Fax: (221) 33 822 38 26

NORTH PORT Dakar
Mole VIII, Bel Air Road

Tel: (221) 33 832 58 69

Fax: (221) 33 822 38 26

http://www.douanes.s

Senegal Taxis, Sept-Place Taxis, Car Rapides and Buses

By Taxi

Black-yellow or blue-yellow in color are cheap, numerous and available everywhere in Dakar it is customary to negotiate the fair since most meters installed in the taxis are broken or missing. Make sure that you have correct change.. drivers for some reason hate making change :-) If you're not from Senegal, you will have an outrageous price proposed, be prepared try to find out the going local rate before hand.

By Bus

The Dakar bus system, known as Dakar Demm Dikk (Dakar coming and going), is fairly dependable. Fares are 150 CFA, and there are no transfer. Unfortunately, for newcomers, there's not much in the way of a map of the bus system, so you'll have to figure it out on your own. The number 10 bus runs along the Corniche de l'Ouest and turns into the suburbs at Rue Aime Cesaire. The number 1 bus runs along the VDN.

By Sept-Place- Taxi ( Bush Taxi)

Senegal Sept-Place Taxi

Most station-wagon bush taxis were modified 1980s-model Peugeot 504 Basically, they modify the space where the trunk is supposed to be, so that it can carry two or three extra people. Cars like this are 

called “Sept Place” (seven seats) in Senegal . This is your best bet to travel outside of Dakar unless you want to hire a private car, which can be expensive. 

Sept-place taxis can take you to other parts of Senegal or to bordering countries. The downside is that you must be prepared to wait until all sits are filled before the driver will depart.

By Car Rapides

The famous Car Rapide, Senegal's most commonly used form of transportation, mainly used in Dakar and St. Louis. The cars are recognized by their blue / yellow colours and the text 'Transport Commun' and 'Alhamdoulilahi' (thanks to God). Don't let the name fool you. They are not rapid but are cheap.

Senegal Airport -Dakar Leopol Sedar Senghor International (DKR )

Senegal Airport -Dakar Leopol Sedar Senghor International (DKR )

Dakar-Yoff International Airport or Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport ( DKR ) is an international airport serving to Dakar city of Senegal. One of major airport in West Africa, Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport offers flights to numerous important cities in Africa, Europe and North America. Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport has two asphalt runways including a 3,490 metre long runway and a 1,500 metre long runway. Air Mali, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Air Mediterranee, Afriqiyah Airways, Air Burkina, Ethiopian Airlines, Slok Air International, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines are some of the major airlines that serve to Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport.


When you arrive at the Airport, a bus will take you from the aircraft to the terminal building. There will be two lines one for ‘Nationals of Senegal’ and one for ‘Others’ to go through passport control.


Remember that this is an West African Airport so arriving can be very stressful. This is due to the security .. airport security carry machine guns.  There are lots of Toots--( very aggressive salespeople :-)  trying to get you a taxi. (See here from  more on Taxis) Other will try to grab your bags . Be very careful because the luggage carts we assume are there for our free use. Well these toots grab your cart to push ....like you couldn't do it yourself. Then demand to be paid for this service.  Be ready to bargain very hard for a taxi.. tip check the tires before you get in. 

Very import to have the local currency ready. Do not plan on a exchange  desk  at airport. From what I understand exchanging money at the airport can be extremely hard. 

The one word to describe the bathrooms is nasty. Try to use the facility on the plane before you de-board and then try to make it to your hotel or place of residence.  If you must  remember to bring your own toilet paper.


Facilities at the Airport

• Tax free shops after passport control open day and night
• Money exchange
• Taxi rank outside arrivals hall
• Car rental and hires

Please let us know about your experiences @ the Senegal Airport.