No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-05-13T15:45:46Z
Full advisory →Is Dakar safe? 🇸🇳
Senegal · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Dakar scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Dakar is safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional protests. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dakar 🇸🇳
Senegal · Assessed 28 July 2026
76
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~81% of countries
What drives this score
Crime79/100GoodCrime index 50.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment67/100FairMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability67Fair
Health94Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Senegal: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-06-23T15:20:23.0779087-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Senegal0.3Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in crowded markets and during large protests
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in busy transport hubs, markets and during festivals
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
67/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler forums report feeling generally safe during daylight, but many note heightened vigilance at night and in dense crowds
Yes — Dakar is safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional protests.
Dakar enjoys a high safety score overall, with low violent crime and no active disaster threats, yet recent protests and isolated incidents indicate pockets of unrest that travelers should monitor.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Student died after protests over delayed stipends escalated into violent clashes at a university in Dakar; security forces allegedly used excessive force— facebook.com
- Jun 2026Hundreds marched in Dakar’s capital over broken government promises and rising costs, leading to street disruptions— AP News
- May 2026Senegal’s president fired the prime minister and dissolved the government, sparking political uncertainty and occasional protests— France 24
- Apr 2026First conviction under a law toughening punishment for homosexual acts was reported, raising human‑rights concerns for LGBTQ+ travelers— Los Angeles Times
Common scams
- overcharging by informal taxi drivers
- currency exchange scams at street booths
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Dakar is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s safest capitals for visitors, with a composite safety index of 78 and homicide rates comparable to Japan. Violent crime, terrorism and natural hazards are minimal, and the city’s hospitals and air quality are solid. However, the latest advisory from Canada urges travelers to “exercise a high degree of caution,” reflecting pockets of civil unrest.
Recent dossier items highlight several developments that affect visitor safety. In July 2026 a student died after protests over delayed stipends turned violent at a university in Dakar, with witnesses reporting excessive force by security personnel. Earlier in June 2026, hundreds gathered in the capital to protest rising costs and broken government promises, causing street disruptions that spilled into commercial districts. Political upheaval followed in May 2026 when the president dismissed the prime minister, leading to sporadic demonstrations. Additionally, a high‑profile conviction under a stricter law criminalising homosexual acts was reported in April 2026, underscoring heightened scrutiny of LGBTQ+ activity.
The safety picture on the ground is mixed: most travelers feel comfortable walking during daylight, especially in well‑touristed neighborhoods such as Plateau and Almadies, but pickpocketing is reported as high in crowded markets, ferry terminals and during festivals. Robbery and mugging remain moderate risks, typically linked to large protests or poorly lit areas after dark. Scams targeting tourists often involve inflated taxi fares and unofficial currency‑exchange booths; using licensed ride‑hailing apps and reputable exchange services mitigates these issues.
Practical safety steps include: book rides through trusted apps or arrange hotel‑recommended transport; keep passports, cash and electronics concealed in a money belt; avoid displaying large amounts of cash; stay informed of protest locations via local news and steer clear of them; and respect local customs, especially regarding public displays of affection or LGBTQ+ expression, which may attract unwanted attention. By staying alert, using vetted transportation, and respecting the evolving political climate, visitors can enjoy Dakar’s vibrant culture while minimizing risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Dakar districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dakar safety map.
Ngoravoidisolated outskirts with limited services; higher risk of petty crime and occasional unrest
Plateaucautiondowntown hub with nightlife and protests; stay alert after dark
Medinacautionbustling market area; petty theft common, avoid isolated alleys at night
Goréesafertourist island with historic sites; low crime and well‑patrolled
Yoffsaferquiet residential beachfront; generally safe but watch personal belongings
07 · After Dark
Is Dakar safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in crowded markets and during large protests
After dark, be most careful around Ngor, Plateau, Medina. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Dakar's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight77
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight77
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight79
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight77
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight79
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight76
09 · Questions
Dakar safety FAQ
Is Dakar safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Dakar is safe for visitors, but exercise a high degree of caution due to petty crime and occasional protests. Dakar enjoys a high safety score overall, with low violent crime and no active disaster threats, yet recent protests and isolated incidents indicate pockets of unrest that travelers should monitor. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Dakar should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Ngor as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Dakar?
- overcharging by informal taxi drivers
- currency exchange scams at street booths
How does Dakar compare with other places in Senegal?
Dakar scores 76/100 — see the Senegal safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Dakar safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Senegal safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: dakar.json (CC BY 4.0).