On our tours, we have clients from all over the place but as an example, our clients from, Europe, the US and Canada can usually cross any border into Senegal without any preplanning. You just present your passport and get stamped in, but the Senegal visa for Australians (and Kiwis) is slightly more complicated. It depends on your point of entry and whether you are flying in or if you will be a crossing a land border. Here is a lowdown on what you can and can’t do as an Australian looking to enter Senegal.

How to get a Senegal visa as an Australian at Dakar (DSS) Airport

Australians can obtain a visa on arrival at Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS). It’s straightforward and saves you the hassle of pre-arranging paperwork. There are two immigration sections at DSS airport with multiple counters. Only one counter processes the visa on arrival so you need to go there. It takes a little bit of time but you dont have to fill out any paperwork and you dont have to pay anything. Make you sure you know where you are going to be staying because you will be asked.

Crossing Land Borders

If you’re planning to enter Senegal via a land border, you must have a visa before you get there. You can’t get one on the spot, at smaller borders you might be lucky, but when they know the rules, they’re strict about it. You will be turned back if you don’t have it sorted beforehand.

We have seen it happen several times at the border between the Gambia and Senegal when people are travelling across to visit the Fathala Game Reserve. Unsuspecting Australians arrive there attempting to enter Senegal only to be turned away and sent back to Banjul to get the Senegal visa. What is worse is if you have left Nouakchott and travelled down to Rosso or Diama borders only to be refused entry to Senegal and sent back to Nouakchott to collect the visa.

Where to Apply for a Senegalese Visa:

Senegal Visas for Australians are normally issued free of charge at Senegalese embassies. I’ve personally applied for and received a visa in the following countries:

• Mauritania
• The Gambia
• Mali
• Guinea-Bissau

A Word of Caution

I attempted to apply for a Senegalese visa in Conakry, Guinea, but was told that applications had to be made in Guinea-Bissau instead. It’s always worth double-checking, as requirements can change without much notice.

Your Experiences Matter:

If you’ve successfully obtained a Senegalese visa somewhere else, please share your experience in the comments below. It’ll help other travellers avoid unnecessary detours.

Safe travels, and remember, make sure you get that visa sorted before reaching any land border into Senegal!