Description
Senegal is one of West Africa’s most visited countries. UK travellers come for winter sun on the Petite Côte around Saly, the history of Gorée Island, the colonial streets of Saint-Louis, birdlife in the Saloum Delta and Dakar’s music and food. Many British Senegalese families also return to see relatives, and some visitors travel for religious gatherings such as the Grand Magal in Touba.
A travel eSIM adds Senegal mobile data to your phone while your UK SIM stays in place, so you keep your UK number for bank codes and calls from home. The eSIM takes care of maps, ride apps, WhatsApp and photos.
Choose your Senegal data plan
There are 5 plans for Senegal. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £4.50 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £8.25 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £11.62 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £18.75 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £33.75 |
- Week of winter sun: 1GB for 7 days covers messages, maps and a few photos.
- Two-week family visit: 2GB for 15 days handles WhatsApp calls and photo sharing with home.
- Month in Senegal: 3GB or 5GB for 30 days, or 10GB for 30 days if you video call often.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Senegal.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Senegal
Flights land at Blaise Diagne International Airport near Diass, around an hour’s drive from central Dakar and closer to the resorts of Saly. Data on arrival lets you message the person collecting you, book a ride and follow the route. In Dakar, ride apps, maps and mobile money are widely used, and a translation app helps if you do not speak French or Wolof.
Signal is generally good in Dakar, Saint-Louis and the main towns. It can be patchy in the Saloum Delta, in rural areas and in the far east of the country, so save offline maps before long journeys.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Senegal, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Senegal and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Senegal only: the plan does not cover The Gambia, which sits inside Senegal, or Guinea-Bissau, Mali or Mauritania. Ask us if your route crosses a border.
- Travel advice: check the latest FCDO travel advice for Senegal, which includes guidance on some border areas, before you travel.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will it work if I drive through The Gambia to Casamance?
Not while you are in The Gambia, which is a separate country. Data should work again once you are back in Senegal.
Does it include a Senegalese phone number?
No, the plans are data only. Use WhatsApp or similar apps to call family and drivers.
When should I buy my Senegal eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
