Is Senegal Safe for Women?
Safety rating
Women living in Senegal consider the safety level to be moderate, with an overall safety rating of 2.5 out of 5.
Crime rating
Women living in Senegal consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 2.2 out of 5.
Violence rating
On average 42% percentage of women in Senegal have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.
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Crime & Safety Statistics
Based on 3 experiences
Safety rating: | 2.5/5 | Unsafe |
Safety walking alone after dark: | 1.1/5 | Very Unsafe |
Safety using public transport: | 1/5 | Very Unsafe |
Crime rate: | 2.2/5 | Low |
Worries of being sexually harassed: | 2.6/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped: | 1.7/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being physically attacked: | 2.6/5 | Moderate |
Worries of home broken and things stolen: | 2/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being mugged or robbed: | 2.6/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being kidnapped or murdered: | 1.4/5 | Not at all worried |
How safe is Senegal?
Rosie
Dakar
As long as you keep your wits about you, it’s absolutely fine! Just take the same precautions you would anywhere else—especially being extra careful if you’re out alone at night. I did have my phone and some money pickpocketed, so I’d strongly recommend keeping valuables in a zipped bum bag worn on your chest rather than in open pockets or bags.
Posted: August 25, 2025Dakar
Walking alone on day light should be fine provided that other people are in the street. If you look foreigner vendors would harasse you. At night it can be dangerous to walk alone in streets. Taxi are a painful experience cars are totally not maintained unsafe and must negotiate with drivers some are greedy.
Posted: June 22, 2024Dakar
Dakar can feel like a safe city once you are familiar with it, especially if you understand the local language, Wolof, or speak French. However, for visiting and ensuring your safety in the city, it is advisable to go with someone who knows Dakar well and has lived there. This way, you can avoid being scammed.
Posted: June 1, 2024Is Senegal worth visiting?
Travel rating
based on 4 experiences from female travelers
Cherlynn
Zimbabwe
Dakar, Group travel
My stay was lovely (Forced me to polish up on my french). Clean streets, friendly people (you will find people exercising everywhere,all the time). Seafood is amazing with lots of eateries to try on the mainland and on Goree island !! VISIT the monument and explore inside the statue, visit Goree island especially the House of Slaves,immerse in the history of the island and the people. Get some cfa at the airport and also buy a local line(cfa1000) for Yango(local uberlike app). Curio market sellers aggressively market a friendly but firm "Jerejef" will indicate you are not interested. The seafood market and eatery close to Magicland is a must(pops up at night), Chez de Thio on Goree island was superb. A guide will give you a fuller experience of the island and trust, and they are reasonably priced.
Posted: July 15, 2025Experienced: May, 2025Safety in Senegal
Frequently asked questions
Is Senegal safe?
Is Senegal safe to walk alone at night?
Is public transport safe in Senegal?
What is the crime rate in Senegal?
What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Senegal?
What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Senegal?
What is the risk of being physically attacked in Senegal?
What is the risk of burglary in Senegal?
What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Senegal?
What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Senegal?
