Dakar Weather in January

January weather

January feels warm and mostly dry in Dakar, with comfortable days and mild evenings. The high reaches 24°C and the low is 21°C. Rain is scarce, and the month averages just over five hours of sun a day.

That's good weather for walking around the Plateau, visiting the African Renaissance Monument or taking the ferry to Gorée. You can enjoy the Corniche without the heavy, sticky feel of wetter months. Cloud can still soften the sunshine, so don't expect a clear blue sky every day.

What's on

New Year's Day is a public holiday, and Dakar marks the start of the year with celebrations. Some businesses and services may close or change their hours, so don't assume everything will run as usual that day.

January doesn't have one major annual festival that reliably fills the city. For a cultural visit, Gorée's museums and the IFAN Museum of African Arts are good choices whatever the event calendar looks like.

Crowds and costs

January falls within Dakar's popular dry-season stretch, which runs from November to May. It's generally a busier time than the rainy season, and you may find accommodation and flights cost more than in quieter months. It's not the only good month to visit, though: December is warmer, while February is a little drier.

If you hate crowds, visit Gorée on a weekday rather than joining the weekend rush. For the ferry, go to Gare maritime de Dakar and leave time for the ticket queue and boarding checks. Travelling with kids? The short boat ride is an easy break from city sightseeing, but keep them close around the busy port.