Things to Do in Senegal in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Senegal
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect weather window - November marks the transition from rainy season to dry season, giving you consistent sunshine with temperatures around 28-32°C (82-90°F) and virtually no rain. You'll get maybe one rainy day the entire month, and even then it's usually just a quick shower.
- Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) often falls in November, and experiencing this in Senegal is genuinely special - the entire country celebrates with family feasts, traditional wrestling matches, and street celebrations. Hotels and restaurants stay open (unlike some Muslim countries), so you get to participate without logistical headaches.
- Sea turtle nesting season peaks in November along the Petite Côte, particularly around Joal-Fadiouth and the Sine-Saloum Delta. You can watch leatherback and green turtles laying eggs at night, and early November sometimes catches the tail end of hatching season from September nests.
- Birding reaches its absolute peak as Palearctic migrants arrive from Europe to join resident species. The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary becomes one of the most concentrated bird populations on Earth - we're talking millions of birds, not thousands. Flamingos, pelicans, and over 400 species create a spectacle that honestly rivals anything in East Africa.
Considerations
- Harmattan winds occasionally start in late November, bringing Saharan dust that creates hazy skies and can irritate respiratory systems. It's not the full-blown harmattan of December-February yet, but sensitive travelers might notice the air quality shifting, especially in northern regions like Saint-Louis.
- November sits in an awkward booking window - it's technically shoulder season, but Tabaski dates (which shift 10-11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar) create unpredictable demand spikes. In 2026, Tabaski falls around June 6-7, so November avoids this, but accommodation prices haven't dropped to true low-season rates yet.
- Beach conditions on the northern coast (Dakar, Ngor Island) can be rough with strong Atlantic swells. The water's still warm at 25°C (77°F), but waves make swimming challenging for casual swimmers. Head south to Saly or Cap Skirring for calmer waters if beach lounging is your priority.
Best Activities in November
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary Excursions
November is THE month for Djoudj, located 60 km (37 miles) north of Saint-Louis. The sanctuary hosts over 3 million birds during peak migration, and November catches the arrival of European migrants mixing with resident African species. Early morning pirogue (traditional canoe) tours through the wetlands offer unreal photography - pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, and cormorants in concentrations you won't see anywhere else in West Africa. The dry weather means water levels are perfect, not too high or low, and mosquitoes are minimal compared to rainy season. Tours typically last 3-4 hours and you'll want to start at dawn when birds are most active.
Sine-Saloum Delta Boat Tours
The delta's 180 km (112 miles) of channels and mangrove islands are spectacular in November when water levels stabilize and wildlife activity peaks. You'll see dolphins, sea turtles, and massive flocks of pelicans, plus visit Serer villages built on ancient shell islands. The weather is perfect for full-day boat excursions - warm but not scorching, with calm waters and clear skies. November also brings oyster harvesting season, and you can watch women collect oysters from mangrove roots using traditional methods unchanged for generations. Multi-day trips let you sleep in fishing villages and experience the delta's rhythm properly.
Gorée Island Historical Tours
November's comfortable weather makes the 20-minute ferry ride from Dakar and walking tours of Gorée much more pleasant than the humid summer months. The island's UNESCO-listed architecture and Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) require several hours of walking on cobblestone streets with minimal shade, so the 28-30°C (82-86°F) November temperatures beat the 35°C+ (95°F+) heat of May-October. The island gets crowded on weekends with Senegalese families and school groups, but November weekdays are relatively calm. You'll want 3-4 hours minimum to properly visit the museums, colonial buildings, and clifftop fort.
Lompoul Desert Camping Expeditions
The Lompoul dunes, 145 km (90 miles) south of Saint-Louis, offer a genuine Saharan experience without traveling to Mauritania. November nights are perfect for desert camping - cool enough at 18-20°C (64-68°F) to sleep comfortably but not the cold of December-January when temperatures can drop to 12°C (54°F). Days are warm but manageable for camel trekking and sandboarding. The orange dunes stretch several kilometers and create that classic Sahara landscape. Most camps include traditional Mauritanian tea ceremonies and drumming around campfires. Late November sometimes catches early harmattan, which creates dramatic sunset colors through the dust.
Dakar Live Music and Mbalax Club Nights
November brings cooler evenings that make Dakar's legendary music scene more enjoyable. Mbalax, Senegal's high-energy dance music blending traditional sabar drumming with Cuban and funk influences, dominates clubs in Almadies and Plateau neighborhoods. Live performances typically start around 11pm and run until 4-5am, and November's 22-24°C (72-75°F) evening temperatures mean venues aren't the sweatboxes they become in hot season. You'll also catch rehearsals and smaller shows as musicians prepare for the December-January wedding season when big concerts happen almost nightly.
Petite Côte Beach Resort Activities
The beaches from Saly to Joal-Fadiouth hit their sweet spot in November - water temperature around 25°C (77°F), calm seas, and sunshine without the intense heat. This stretch offers everything from kitesurfing and jet skiing to fishing villages where you can join pirogue launches at dawn. November also brings turtle nesting, particularly around Joal and the Somone Lagoon. The tourist infrastructure here (hotels, restaurants, water sports operators) is well-developed but not overwhelming like some West African beach destinations. Saly itself is purpose-built for tourism, while villages like Toubab Dialaw and Popenguine maintain more authentic character.
November Events & Festivals
Saint-Louis Jazz Festival
This week-long festival typically runs in mid to late November and transforms Saint-Louis into West Africa's jazz capital. Concerts happen in venues across the colonial island city - from the Place Faidherbe to intimate courtyard shows in restored French-era buildings. You'll hear everything from traditional Senegalese jazz fusion to international acts, with a strong focus on African and diaspora artists. The festival atmosphere spills into the streets with impromptu performances and jam sessions. Worth noting that exact dates shift slightly year to year, so confirm timing when planning your November 2026 trip.
Abéné Festifoot Tournament
This community football tournament in the Casamance village of Abéné has grown into a cultural event that attracts teams and spectators from across the region. Games happen throughout November on the beach and village fields, but it's the evening celebrations - drumming, dancing, and communal meals - that make it special. If you're in Casamance during November, checking the schedule is worthwhile. The village is also known for its djembe drum-making tradition, and several workshops offer lessons during the tournament period.