Things to Do in Senegal in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Senegal
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Countryside transforms into lush green landscapes - the Sine-Saloum Delta and Casamance region are at their most beautiful, with rice paddies flooded and vegetation thriving. This is when you see Senegal at its most fertile and alive.
- Significantly fewer tourists than December-March peak season means better prices on accommodations (typically 25-40% lower than high season) and more authentic interactions. You'll have beaches and cultural sites largely to yourself.
- Perfect timing for bird migration season - over 600 species pass through the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and Langue de Barbarie, including flamingos, pelicans, and cormorants. August is when resident species are joined by early migrants.
- Mango season is in full swing - markets overflow with Kent, Keitt, and local varieties at rock-bottom prices (200-500 CFA per kilo versus 1000+ CFA in dry season). You'll see Senegalese eating mangoes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Considerations
- Rainy season means daily afternoon thunderstorms lasting 1-3 hours, typically between 3pm-7pm. Roads in rural areas can become difficult to navigate, particularly unpaved routes in Casamance. Some beach activities get interrupted, though mornings are usually clear.
- Humidity stays consistently high at 70-85%, which makes the 32°C (90°F) temperatures feel closer to 38°C (100°F). If you're not comfortable with sticky, tropical heat, this will test your patience. Air conditioning becomes essential rather than optional.
- Some remote lodges and camps in Casamance and eastern Senegal close during August due to road accessibility issues. Ferry schedules to islands like Île de Gorée can be disrupted by rough seas, though this typically only affects 2-3 days per month.
Best Activities in August
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary boat tours
August marks the beginning of serious birding season as water levels rise and resident species breed while early Palearctic migrants start arriving. The wetlands are fully flooded, creating ideal conditions for spotting pelicans, flamingos, herons, and cormorants. Morning tours (7am-10am) happen before the heat peaks and when birds are most active. The sanctuary is about 60 km (37 miles) north of Saint-Louis, and you'll need to book boat tours through park-authorized guides.
Dakar cultural walking tours
August's afternoon rains actually make Dakar exploration better - you do morning walking tours through Plateau, Medina, and HLM districts from 8am-12pm, then retreat indoors during afternoon storms to visit IFAN Museum, Village des Arts, or Galerie Antenna. The heat is manageable in mornings, and you'll see how Dakarois adapt their daily rhythm to the rainy season. Markets like Kermel and Sandaga are covered, so shopping continues rain or shine.
Île de Gorée day trips
The ferry ride from Dakar takes 20 minutes and runs multiple times daily (weather permitting). August means fewer tourists crowding the Maison des Esclaves and IFAN Historical Museum, so you can take your time understanding this UNESCO World Heritage site's difficult history. The island is small enough to explore in 3-4 hours, and several restaurants offer shaded terraces for lunch. Mornings are clearer for photography, though afternoon light after rain can be dramatic.
Sine-Saloum Delta pirogue excursions
August transforms the delta into a green maze of mangroves and flooded channels. Traditional pirogue (wooden canoe) trips let you navigate through bolongs (tidal channels) to spot monkeys, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. The village of Toubacouta serves as the main base, about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Dakar. Water levels are perfect for accessing areas that become too shallow in dry season. Early morning or late afternoon excursions avoid midday heat and rain.
Saint-Louis colonial architecture tours
This UNESCO-listed city on an island in the Senegal River is perfect for August exploration because the colonial-era buildings and narrow streets provide natural shade, and the river breeze offers relief from humidity. Morning walks (8am-11am) through the historic Quartier Sud show you Creole architecture, the Faidherbe Bridge, and the former governor's palace. The city feels wonderfully uncrowded in August compared to the winter jazz festival season.
Lac Rose (Lake Retba) salt harvesting visits
August isn't when the lake is most pink (that happens in dry season when salinity peaks), but visiting during rainy season lets you see the salt harvesting process in full operation and understand how workers adapt to seasonal changes. The lake sits 35 km (22 miles) northeast of Dakar, and you can watch salt collectors work from pirogues, then visit the salt mountains on shore. Morning visits (8am-11am) offer better light and cooler temperatures.
August Events & Festivals
Magal of Mame Diarra
This Mouride brotherhood pilgrimage to Mbacké (near Touba) happens in late August and draws hundreds of thousands of Senegalese faithful. While not as massive as the Grand Magal in Touba (which happens in a different month), this is a significant religious event where you'll see Senegalese Islam's cultural expression through prayer, singing, and communal meals. As a non-Muslim visitor, you can observe respectfully from the periphery, but this is primarily a religious pilgrimage, not a tourist event.