Senegal car hire

Economy (Citroen C3 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Senegal.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

You'll want to keep an eye out for animals on the road outside major cities, especially farm animals, and you may find yourself needing to wait for a herd of goats or cows to move on. You may also encounter police checkpoints on your trip. They will usually check your paperwork and may ask to search your vehicle. If you're driving in or out of Dakar, you may need to use the toll road. It isn't too expensive, about XOF 500 (roughly GBP 0.70) at each toll booth, with around four booths total, and you'll save a lot of time.

You generally need to be at least 23 years old to book a car hire in Senegal. Bear in mind that some car hire companies may charge an additional fee to drivers under 25 years. Make sure you bring your passport, your normal driving licence and a 1968 International Driving Permit, as it's required for drivers with a UK driving licence. If you don't have one already, make sure to organise it well in advance of your trip. You'll also need it in most neighbouring countries, including The Gambia.

Petrol costs around XOF 990 (about GBP 1.30) per litre and roughly XOF 3750 (approximately GBP 4.90) for a gallon. Bear in mind that petrol stations are sometimes difficult to come by, so fill up whenever you get the chance if you're driving outside the main cities. You'll also want to make sure you have cash on hand, as they often don't take credit cards or have ATMs.

In Senegal, the speed limit in built-up areas is generally 50 km/h (roughly 30 mph). You may also encounter 30 km/h (about 18 mph) limits in place in school zones. On rural roads, it's usually 90 km/h (about 55 mph), and on motorways, the limit goes up to 130 km/h (roughly 80 mph).