Language In Senegal, quite a few national languages (Wolof, Pular, Soninke, Sereer, Mandinka, Diola...) are spoken. French is the official language used in Administration and Business. Wolof is the most widely understood and spoken throughout the country. English, mandatory at Junior and High School, is widely spoken. Time Zone GMT Visas Visitors from France, the UK, most of Europe, the USA and several African countries can enter Senegal for 90 days without a visa. A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway will need a visa, which costs about US$20. Health Travelers to Senegal require proof of yellow fever vaccination if coming from an area where disease is present. Vaccination against yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B are recommended, as are updated vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio. It is also recommended to take along some anti-malaria pills, especially for those visiting the country during the rainy season (June to September). Money Senegal's currency is the West African CFA. As of June 6, 2008, US$1 = CFA 417, 1 euro = CFA 656. Credit cards are accepted in high-end hotels and travel agencies. A debit card will be more useful, but not every town has an ATM (or even a bank). Keep cash and travelers cheques on hand in more remote areas. Costs Senegal is pricey for West Africa. Budget hotels start at 6000 CFA, but are about twice that in Dakar, and high end hotel, where they exist, run around 40,000 CFA and up. A rice dish at a local restaurant can cost anything from 300 to 2500 CFA, while dinner at Dakar’s finest restaurants will generally cost 4000 CFA and up. Flying to Senegal Air France, British Airways, South Africa Airlines have all direct flights to Dakar respectively from Paris, London and New York (or DC). Royal Air Maroc and TAP Air Portugal are also going to Dakar. Transportation in Senegal Senegal’s major towns are connected by bus and by ‘sept-places’ (shared taxis). A variety of less comfortable minibuses ply these and other routes. Le Willis is an excellent ferry running from Dakar to Ziguinchor in the Casamance. Air Senegal operates domestic air service between Dakar and Cap Skiring, Ziguinchor, Saint-Louis, and Tambacounda, but service may be infrequent or suspended depending on the season. Safety Senegal is an extremely safe country. Keep an eye on your belongings in Dakar and in more touristed areas like Saly. The main danger is con artists – who usually appear in the form of friends or suitors- in Dakar. The ocean has fatally strong currents at some beaches –be sure to inquire locally before swimming. Books Lonely Planet’s Senegal and the Gambia by Katharina Kane (3rd edition, 2006) is the most detailed guidebook. Birds of West Africa by W Serle, Gerard J Morel and W Hartwig, or Birds of West Africa by Nik Borrow and Ron Demey, will open up senegal’s avian world to even the uninitiated.