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Frequently Asked Questions

1- Can the travel dates be modified?

Yes, we can change the travel dates to suit the dates you want on the following conditions :

  • You are travelling as a family or as an individual: you can either change the dates if there are at least 4 people willing to travel on this new date, travel 1 or 2 days earlier or later than planned(using the fixed dates on our website) if you were able to get good ticket deals for the dates you are willing to travel. If the new dates exceed two days from the original travel dates, it will be difficult to maintain the same programme for you and other tourists travelling on the official dates.
  • You have formed a group of your own(Workers’ council, A study trip): we envisage offering you new dates if there are at least four people in the group.

2- Is there a limit to the number of people that can go on each trip?

Yes, the trip is limited to 4-15 people maximum

3- Can children come along on this trip?

It is absolutely possible to go on this trip as a family! This has been done on several occasions. Children are warmly welcome by children from the other village, a guest lodge is reserved for families: a couple with 2 or 3 children.

4- Where do we sleep and where do we have our meals?

  • Accommodation: the tourists are lodged in traditionally built huts with thatched roofs (double rooms, basic comfort: there is no electricity but lighting is provided with the use of rechargeable lamps, there is a tap in the yard and buckets are provided to get water to bath etc) It is equally possible to sleep in the houses of the villagers.
  • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (Similar to the western style) are prepared by the village women and served in the guest lodge. As for lunch, each tourist is welcomed by a family and is invited to spend the day with them: traditional meals (fish, rice, mango, etc), tea ritual and also the possibility, of partaking in their daily activities by: helping out in the kitchen, in the farm or with handicrafts, participating in traditional ceremonies

5- Do I need to pay for any other thing apart from the travel cost?

Apart from the flight fare which is not included in the amount charged on each trip, our charges are meal inclusive (meals are taken in the village or outside the village during excursions). You only have to pay for drinks and personal expenses. You are advised to buy water jerry cans whenever you are in town (it could be the day you arrive Senegal, before proceeding to the village, during excursions etc).

6- What vaccines do I need to take before leaving for Senegal?

Yellow Fever
Malaria

7- Languages and Customs

The official language is French, which a large part of the population understand. There are a lot of other languages spoken in Senegal (Wolof- which is the most popular, Serere, Diola, Puula, Sonike, Madingue…) and many other dialects. The mode of greeting is very important. To be on the safe side, use the traditional Arab way of greeting (Salam Aleikoum).

8- Hygiene, Cleanliness

Everyday, a group of women clean the common areas in the guest lodge as well as the community kitchen. Every week, members of the village association come together to clean up the village (picking up litter, etc)

9- When can one travel?

We organise trips in February, April, during summer and November every year. Take along warm clothing for the evenings as it could become cold after a hot day! Below is a general overview of the weather conditions in Senegal

  • November to February- this is the dry season, however the weather is cool
  • March to May- the weather remains dry and the temperature rises
  • June to October- this is the rainy season however this does not last for too long. Most of our tourists leave for Senegal during summer and there have never been any problems.

10- How to get to Senegal?

Our charges do not include your flight from France to Senegal (Except groups, workers’ councils etc). You have the liberty of comparing flight costs with different airlines before purchasing your ticket.
All the renowned airlines and so many chartered flights ensure that there are regular flights to Dakar. The journey takes 5-6 hours from Europe. Envisage a return ticket in the range of 600 Euros if you purchase it several months before the departure date. If you are planning to travel in summer, you can get tickets below 750 Euros if you purchase them by March. The closer the departure date, the more expensive the tickets become.

11- What are the entry requirements upon arrival in Senegal?

  • Passport (preferably one that will still be valid three months after the trip)
  • Identity Card (French citizens do not need a visa)
  • Vaccination Record

12- Senegalese Currency and Exchange rate( Against the French Euro)

Senegal is a member of the African financial community. The FCFA has a fixed rate against the Euro (1000 FCFA= 1524 Euros, 1 Euro= 655.957 FCFA). You will be able to withdraw money with your cheque books and bank cards in most of the banks.

13- Jet lag

During winter, there is a 1hr time difference between France and Senegal (when it is 12h in Paris, it is 11h in Dakar and Banjul) while during summer there is a 2hr time difference.

14- Telecommunications

From France to Senegal: 00+221+ number

From Senegal to France: 00+33+ a 9 digit number (without the first 0)

You can charge your mobile phones at the medical centre of Keur Samba Yacine village
For those who are addicted to their mobile phones, it may interest you to know that it is cheaper to get a line in Senegal (it costs about 5 Euros) than to make calls with your French lines (it is very expensive)