When is the best time to go to Dakar?

The best time to visit Dakar, the vibrant capital of Senegal, greatly depends on your preferences regarding climate and activities. If we focus solely on the weather, the period from November to July proves to be the most pleasant (with a preference for the dry season from November to May). During these months, the climate is favorable with generally clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and low precipitation, making urban explorations and outdoor activities particularly enjoyable.

If you are a fan of swimming, May to January is the best time to enjoy the warm waters around Dakar, with temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 31°C (88°F) .

However, it is important to note that the peak tourist season in Dakar is in November and December. During these months, the city is particularly lively and offers a rich cultural experience. Festivals, cultural events, and nightlife are in full swing. However, this also means that hotels and tourist attractions may be more crowded and prices slightly higher.

Visiting Dakar during the rainy season, from June to October, can also have its advantages. Despite an increase in precipitation, the rain brings a welcome freshness and intensifies the natural beauty of the landscape. Additionally, tourist traffic is generally lower during these months, which can make your visit quieter and potentially less expensive.

In conclusion, regardless of the time of year, Dakar offers a multitude of experiences and discoveries. It's simply a matter of choosing the time that best suits your preferences and expectations.

So, when is the best time to go to Dakar? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • The weather is good all year round in Dakar
  • On average, the warmest months are July, August, September, October, November and December
  • Dakar has dry periods in January, February, March, April, May, November and December
  • The rainiest months are August and September
  • The best months for swimming are June, July, August, September, October and November



Annual weather in Dakar

Infographic of the best times to visit Dakar
Infographic of the best times to visit Dakar ©whereandwhen.net

Weather details in Dakar month by month

To get all the information about the climate and weather in Dakar for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:

January February March April May June July August September October November December



Weather and climate in Dakar

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, benefits from its geographical location which allows it to benefit from maritime influence. This explains the quality of its climate for much of the year, while inland localities such as Matam or Tambacounda suffer from excessive heat. Indeed, Dakar has a semi-arid climate, more precisely a hot and dry steppe climate according to the Köppen-Geiger classification. This climatic particularity is manifested through two major seasons: the hot and humid season which extends from June to October and the dry and cool season from November to May. The latter is preferable if you wish to enjoy the sun and pleasant warmth, stretched out on the golden and warm sand of the beautiful Senegalese beaches.

Dakar - Dry Season (November to May)

The dry season in Dakar extends from November to May. The weather during this period is mainly characterized by clear skies and moderate heat. Daytime minimum temperatures range from 21°C (70°F) to 25°C (77°F) , while maximum temperatures generally reach 25°C (77°F) to 27°C (81°F) . The precipitation rate is almost nil during this season, with only a few millimeters of rain recorded. The sky is often clear, offering many sunny days, ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings.

Dakar - Rainy Season (June to October)

The rainy season in Dakar, which extends from June to October, offers a different climatic panorama. Daytime minimum temperatures increase, ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (83°F) , while maximum temperatures can reach up to 31°C (88°F) . This period is marked by an increase in precipitation, with more frequent rains from August onwards. However, this does not diminish the beauty of Dakar, as the rain brings a welcome freshness and makes the landscape even greener.

Dakar :



Charts: temperature and rainfall in Dakar

In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Dakar: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, sea temperature, and relative humidity for each month of the year.

Outside temperature

Created with Highcharts 8.2.280°F80°F77°F77°F77°F77°F76°F76°F77°F77°F80°F80°F82°F82°F84°F84°F85°F85°F87°F87°F86°F86°F83°F83°F72°F72°F70°F70°F70°F70°F70°F70°F73°F73°F76°F76°F79°F79°F81°F81°F82°F82°F83°F83°F80°F80°F76°F76°Fjanuaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember65°F70°F75°F80°F85°F90°F

Precipitation (rainfall)

Created with Highcharts 8.2.20%0%0%0%0%0%1%1%1%1%4%4%10%10%23%23%25%25%6%6%1%1%0%0%januaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember0%10%20%30%0in2.5in5in7.5in

Daily sunshine hours

Created with Highcharts 8.2.211.2hrs11.2hrs11.4hrs11.4hrs11.5hrs11.5hrs11.6hrs11.6hrs11.6hrs11.6hrs11.5hrs11.5hrs11hrs11hrs10.5hrs10.5hrs10.9hrs10.9hrs11.4hrs11.4hrs11.2hrs11.2hrs11hrs11hrsjanuaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember0h5h10h15h

Sea temperature

Created with Highcharts 8.2.278°F78°F73°F73°F72°F72°F74°F74°F79°F79°F83°F83°F85°F85°F87°F87°F85°F85°F86°F86°F85°F85°F81°F81°F68°F68°F66°F66°F64°F64°F65°F65°F67°F67°F77°F77°F79°F79°F80°F80°F83°F83°F82°F82°F77°F77°F72°F72°Fjanuaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember60°F70°F80°F90°F

Humidity

Created with Highcharts 8.2.255%55%64%64%72%72%78%78%81%81%82%82%82%82%83%83%83%83%78%78%66%66%56%56%januaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember0%25%50%75%100%

Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Dakar

Find out when Dakar has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Dakar

  • Very low season in Dakar
    The months with the lowest number of tourists are: April, June and September.
  • Low season in Dakar
    The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, May, July, August and October.
  • High season in Dakar
    The number of visitors to Dakar is high in: November.
  • Peak season in Dakar
    The largest number of tourists visiting Dakar is during: December.

Figure: Visitor index for Dakar month by month

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2januaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember


Best time for low prices in Dakar

Average prices of hotels in Dakar month by month

Generally, March is the month with the lowest hotel prices in Dakar. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, December is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.

Find the best price for your hotel room

Average price for flights to Dakar

A return flight between London and Dakar is generally cheaper if you go in november ($ 545 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 393 more for your airline ticket to Dakar if you go in august.

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Average price for a return ticket from London599 USD599 USD597 USD597 USD550 USD550 USD658 USD658 USD592 USD592 USD648 USD648 USD764 USD764 USD937 USD937 USD577 USD577 USD588 USD588 USD545 USD545 USD723 USD723 USDjanuaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember0 USD200 USD400 USD600 USD800 USD1000 USD

Find the best price for your flight

Average price of hiring a car in Dakar

On average, it costs $ 107 per day to hire a car in Dakar. This price varies by $ 8.2 depending on the month. In january, hiring a car costs an average of $ 101 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in july is $ 109.

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Average price to hire a car for 24 hours101 USD101 USD104 USD104 USD102 USD102 USD108 USD108 USD105 USD105 USD108 USD108 USD109 USD109 USD108 USD108 USD107 USD107 USD107 USD107 USD108 USD108 USD108 USD108 USDjanuaryfebruarymarchaprilmayjunejulyaugustseptemberoctobernovemberdecember0 USD25 USD50 USD75 USD100 USD125 USD

Find the best price for your car rental


Other cities and places near Dakar

Best time to go to Senegal

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