Best Time to Visit Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is at its sunniest and driest in January–December.
The best time to visit Dakar for sunny, dry weather is October–June — 9 months of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through November–May; the wetter half falls in June–October. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 21.3°C / 70.3°F in February to 27.4°C / 81.3°F in September, with rainfall from 0 mm / 0 in (March) to 148 mm / 5.8 in (August). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Dakar, Dakar, Senegal's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Dakar's climate is broadly hot arid. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.4°C70.5°F | 2 mm0.1″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| February | 21.3°C70.3°F | 1 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| March | 21.6°C70.9°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| April | 22.2°C72°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm |
| May | 23°C73.4°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm |
| June | 25.3°C77.5°F | 8 mm0.3″ | Sunny & Hot, Sunny & Warm |
| October | 27.4°C81.3°F | 21 mm0.8″ | Sunny & Hot |
| November | 25.5°C77.9°F | 2 mm0.1″ | Sunny & Hot, Sunny & Warm |
| December | 22.9°C73.2°F | 1 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
The best time to visit Dakar for sunny, dry weather is January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December. At the city itself, the warmest month is September averaging 27.4°C / 81.3°F, and the driest is March with about 0 mm / 0 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Dakar's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Dakar?
The rainy season at Dakar, Dakar runs through June–October, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 2 mm / 0.1 in. The wettest single month is August (148 mm / 5.8 in).
What is the driest month in Dakar?
The driest month in Dakar is March, averaging about 0 mm / 0 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 21.6°C / 70.9°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Dakar?
The least comfortable months for travel to Dakar — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, April, July, August, September. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 148 mm / 5.8 in in August, and the coldest month averages 21.3°C / 70.3°F.
Is Dakar climate different from Senegal overall?
Yes, usually. Our Dakar figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Senegal figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Dakar specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.