When to go · Dakar
Dakar in August
Avoid month. Peak rains; floods and flooded roads.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C) / 26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Low
- Senegal overall
- Prices
- Low
- Senegal overall
Verdict
Peak rains; floods and flooded roads.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than August?
August is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in August
- DakarHighs around 31 °C (88 °F), lows around 26 °C (79 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 88 °F (31 °C), lows around 79 °F (26 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Dakar and the Atlantic coast, Senegal · Dakar, Saint-Louis, Petite Côterainy
Trade winds keep the coast 5–8 °C (9–14 °F) cooler than inland; January–March evenings can feel cool, and the sea is cold until May.Trade winds keep the coast 9–14 °F (5–8 °C) cooler than inland; January–March evenings can feel cool, and the sea is cold until May.
Rainy season season
Green and quiet; fewer visitors and lower prices.
Watch: Heavy downpours and flooded streets, especially in August and September.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Assumption and Grand Magal of Touba check
15 August; Magal moves yearly · Churches; Touba
Public holiday; roads to Touba jam.
Grand Magal of Touba big impact
Aug 2026 (lunar — check) · Senegal
Millions of Mouride pilgrims head to Touba; roads through the centre are blocked.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Senegal overall
- Low
- Prices · Senegal overall
- Low
Senegal overall: Wettest month, hot and sticky; the Grand Magal of Touba may fall here (check).
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dakar, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Jan: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
Aug: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Jan: 18 °C (64 °F)64 °F (18 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 11
Jan: 0 (better)
Crowds
Aug: Low
Jan: High
Prices
Aug: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Aug: 2
Jan: 0
August: Peak rains; floods and flooded roads.
January: Dry and warm; good month.
Dakar: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast