Winter
Dec → Feb27 to 29°
nights 21 to 23°
- 1 rainy days · 2 mm
- 10.2 h of sun
- sea 22°
When is the best time to visit Senegal?
In short: November to May, during the dry season: rain is almost absent in Dakar and afternoons range from 25 to 31 °C. From December to March, the compromise is at its best, with 25 to 29 °C in Dakar and migratory birds in large numbers in Djoudj National Park.
- Birds of the Djoudj: From November to April, nearly 3 million birds from Europe and Asia winter in this park in the Senegal River delta, near Saint-Louis.
- Beaches of Dakar and the Petite Côte: From November to May, under dry skies; the water is cooler, around 20 °C, against 28 °C during the hivernage, the rainy season.
- The Saloum Delta by pirogue: In the dry season, from November to May, to explore the UNESCO-listed mangroves and the bird roosts under clear skies.
- Casamance: Better from December to May: in the south, the rainy season lasts longer than in the north, and the ground takes time to dry out.
- A green hivernage: From July to October, the rainy season turns the country green; showers are often brief and followed by sunshine, and the sea is at its warmest.
Best avoided: August and September, the heart of the hivernage: Dakar gets 155 mm of rain over 18 days in August, and the heat stays sticky day and night (29 °C in the afternoon, 26 °C at night).
Sources: visitezlesenegal.com, visitezlesenegal.com, visitezlesenegal.com
- Jan28°recommended
- Feb27°recommended
- Mar25°recommended
- Apr25°recommended
- May26°recommended
- Jun28°fair
- Jul29°fair
- Aug29°not recommended
- Sep29°not recommended
- Oct31°fair
- Nov31°recommended
- Dec29°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Senegal, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 21° | 10.2 h | 3 mm | 1 d | 23° | ✓ |
| February | 27° | 21° | 10.6 h | 1 mm | 0 d | 19° | ✓ |
| March | 25° | 19° | 11 h | 0 mm | 0 d | 18° | ✓ |
| April | 25° | 20° | 11.7 h | 0 mm | 0 d | 19° | ✓ |
| May | 26° | 21° | 11.5 h | 2 mm | 0 d | 23° | ✓ |
| June | 28° | 24° | 11.3 h | 5 mm | 1 d | 26° | |
| July | 29° | 25° | 10.2 h | 55 mm | 9 d | 29° | |
| August | 29° | 26° | 9.5 h | 155 mm | 18 d | 29° | |
| September | 29° | 26° | 9.9 h | 126 mm | 13 d | 29° | |
| October | 31° | 26° | 10.4 h | 17 mm | 3 d | 29° | |
| November | 31° | 25° | 10 h | 1 mm | 0 d | 28° | ✓ |
| December | 29° | 23° | 9.7 h | 2 mm | 1 d | 25° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Senegal, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Dakar) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May25 to 26°
nights 19 to 21°
- 0 rainy days · 1 mm
- 11.4 h of sun
- sea 20°
Summer
Jun → Aug28 to 29°
nights 24 to 26°
- 9 rainy days · 72 mm
- 10.3 h of sun
- sea 28°
Autumn
Sep → Nov29 to 31°
nights 25 to 26°
- 5 rainy days · 48 mm
- 10.1 h of sun
- sea 29°
Book early for November to May
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in Senegal, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Diving & snorkelling | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
EventsDak'Art, the Biennale of Contemporary African ArtMaySaint-Louis Jazz FestivalMay to JuneBird migration at DjoudjNovember to MarchDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, December
- Beach & swimming: January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December
- Diving & snorkelling: June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Senegal, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- MayDak'Art, the Biennale of Contemporary African Art
In May, every other year, exhibitions spread across Dakar's galleries and public buildings.
- May to JuneSaint-Louis Jazz Festival
Between late May and early June, concerts fill the stages and squares of the island of Saint-Louis for a few days.
- November to MarchBird migration at Djoudj
From November to March, Djoudj park, on the Senegal River delta, welcomes pelicans, flamingos and migratory ducks.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Senegal, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended28°21° at night
- 3 mm · 1 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 23°
High season, book early
February
Recommended27°21° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10.6 h
- sea 19°
High season, book early
March
Recommended25°19° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 11 h
- sea 18°
Busy, without the crush
April
Recommended25°20° at night
- 0 mm · 0 d
- 11.7 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended26°21° at night
- 2 mm · 0 d
- 11.5 h
- sea 23°
Busy, without the crush
June
Fair28°24° at night
- 5 mm · 1 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 26°
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair29°25° at night
- 55 mm · 9 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 29°
Busy, without the crush
August
Not recommended29°26° at night
- 155 mm · 18 d
- 9.5 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
September
Not recommended29°26° at night
- 126 mm · 13 d
- 9.9 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
October
Fair31°26° at night
- 17 mm · 3 d
- 10.4 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
November
Recommended31°25° at night
- 1 mm · 0 d
- 10 h
- sea 28°
Busy, without the crush
December
Recommended29°23° at night
- 2 mm · 1 d
- 9.7 h
- sea 25°
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 28 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (3 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 23 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
February. 27 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.6 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. High season: book early.
March. 25 °C in the afternoon and 19 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11 h a day on average. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
April. 25 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C at night. Hardly any rain (0 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 26 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (2 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 23 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 28 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Hardly any rain (5 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 26 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (55 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
August. 29 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. A very wet month, 155 mm of rain over 18 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
September. 29 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (126 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. 31 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. Hardly any rain (17 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. 31 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Hardly any rain (1 mm over 0 days). Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
December. 29 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Hardly any rain (2 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 9.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 25 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Senegal?
November to May, during the dry season: rain is almost absent in Dakar and afternoons range from 25 to 31 °C. From December to March, the compromise is at its best, with 25 to 29 °C in Dakar and migratory birds in large numbers in Djoudj National Park.
Which month should you avoid in Senegal?
August and September, the heart of the hivernage: Dakar gets 155 mm of rain over 18 days in August, and the heat stays sticky day and night (29 °C in the afternoon, 26 °C at night).
What is the hottest month in Senegal?
October, with 31 °C on average in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Dakar).
What is the coldest month in Senegal?
March, with 25 °C at best during the day and 19 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Dakar).
What is the driest month in Senegal?
March: 0 mm over 0 days of rain, against 155 mm in August, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Senegal?
April, with 11.7 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Senegal?
The water reaches 22 °C or more in January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December (warmest 29 °C in July), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Dakar).
When is the best time to hike in Senegal?
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, December: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Dakar), the safest windows for walking.
When to go diving or snorkelling in Senegal?
June, July, August, September, October, November, December: the sea is above 25 °C, warm enough to stay in a long time without a thick wetsuit. 2023-2024 records on the nearest coast (Dakar).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Senegal guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: Lom Doudou / Pexels · Jjm2311 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Adrien Olichon / Pexels · Diego Ferrari / Pexels · Trippy Clicker / Pexels · Amaury Michaux / Pexels · Timon Cornelissen / Pexels · Christopher Junior / Pexels