Traveling to Senegal as LGBTQ+: What You Need to Know

In 2025, a Senegalese court sentenced two men to two years in prison for a same-sex relationship. Rights groups documented at least 14 arrests linked to sexual orientation in Senegal in 2024, according to Human Rights Watch. France's Paris city council called on the French government to act after a wave of anti-LGBT arrests. Senegal is not a safe destination for LGBTQ+ travellers.

What the Law Says

Article 319 of Senegal's Penal Code criminalises "unnatural acts" between persons of the same sex. The penalty is one to five years in prison and a fine. The law has been in place since the colonial era. There is no sign of reform.

ILGA World's 2024 State-Sponsored Homophobia report ranks Senegal among the 64 countries that criminalise same-sex conduct. Senegal has no anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation or gender identity. There is no legal recognition of same-sex partnerships.

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travellers to be discreet about sexual orientation in Senegal. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gives a similar warning. The US State Department travel advisory notes that same-sex conduct is illegal and that social attitudes are hostile.

The Situation on the Ground

Arrests are not rare. Police have used dating apps and social media to identify and arrest gay men. In 2023, a group of men were arrested after a private gathering in Dakar. Photos were leaked online and the men faced mob violence before their arrest.

Transgender people face additional risks. Gender non-conforming individuals have been attacked in public. There is no legal framework to protect them. Local NGO Prudence Plus reports regular cases of violence and blackmail against LGBTQ+ Senegalese people.

Public sentiment is also a factor. A 2019 Afrobarometer survey found that 97 percent of Senegalese respondents said they would not want a gay neighbour. This is one of the highest figures on the continent. Religious leaders — both Muslim and Christian — regularly speak out against homosexuality.

Practical Safety Tips

Before you travel

• Delete dating apps such as Grindr and Scruff from your phone before you arrive. Border officials have searched phones at Dakar's Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport.
• Review your social media profiles. Remove photos or posts that indicate your sexual orientation or relationship status.
• Do not travel with items that could be used as evidence against you, including print materials or merchandise.
• Check your travel insurance carefully. Some policies exclude medical or legal costs in countries where your identity or conduct is criminalised. See our guide: Travel Insurance for Same-Sex Couples: What to Check Before You Buy.

At the hotel

• Book separate rooms if you are travelling with a same-sex partner. Sharing a room as a same-sex couple can attract unwanted attention.
• Do not display affection in hotels or guesthouses. Staff may report guests to police.
• Avoid hotels that ask for relationship status at check-in if you are not comfortable answering.

In public

• Do not hold hands or show physical affection in public. This applies in Dakar and anywhere else in the country.
• Dress conservatively and avoid any appearance that could attract attention based on gender expression.
• Be careful in conversation. Discussing your sexual orientation with locals — including guides or hotel staff — carries risks.

Help and Contacts in an Emergency

If you are arrested or threatened, contact your country's embassy immediately. The Dutch embassy in Dakar can be reached via the embassy website. The British High Commission and the US Embassy are also present in Dakar.

Local support is limited but exists. Prudence Plus is a Senegalese NGO that works with LGBTQ+ individuals and people affected by HIV. They operate with discretion given the legal climate. Contact details are available through the ILGA World directory. Do not search for these organisations on a device that could be inspected.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World) maintains a global directory of emergency contacts. Save relevant numbers offline before you travel.

Senegal is not an isolated case in the region. For context on how quickly legal situations can shift, the article 7 Countries Where LGBTQ+ Rights Are Changing Fast in 2026 gives a useful overview of trends across multiple countries.

Should You Go?

Senegal is a country with real cultural appeal: Dakar's music scene, the coast, the food. Many travellers visit without incident. But the legal risk for LGBTQ+ travellers is concrete and documented. Arrests happen. Sentences are served.

The decision is yours. But go in with accurate information, not assumptions. The risks in Senegal are significantly higher than in most other destinations covered in this series. For comparison, see our piece on Traveling to Hungary as LGBTQ+: What Changed After the Election — a country where the legal situation is restrictive but not criminal.

If you do travel to Senegal, prepare carefully, behave discreetly, and keep emergency contacts saved offline. That is not sensational advice. It is the minimum.