Rent a car for a stay of one to three weeks
Three weeks in Senegal without a car means three weeks haggling over a taxi every morning and giving up on anything not on a bus line. With a car, the Petite Côte, the Saloum, Saint-Louis and the Djoudj become day trips.
The obstacle is not the price of the rental. It is the deposit: several hundred thousand francs tied up on a card for the whole stay, with a conventional renter. With us, that hold does not exist — you pay 20 % of the amount online, and nothing else leaves your account before you have seen the vehicle.
Why a long rental rather than taxis on demand
Do the maths on a day trip. A return trip Dakar – Saly by negotiated taxi already costs several tens of thousands of francs, and you pay for the driver’s waiting time. Over ten days of outings, the gap with a rental widens fast — not to mention that you leave and come back when you want.
There is also what no taxi will give you: the boot. Three weeks means suitcases, shopping, market runs, beach gear. A saloon is enough for Dakar and the Petite Côte; for the Saloum in the rainy season or the tracks of Casamance, take a high vehicle, and tell the owner your route.
How it works
The full process is described on our How it works page. Here is what matters for a long stay.
One model, several cars, several prices. Results show “from” because a listing covers a model in an area — “Citroën C3 in Dakar” — and under that model several owners offer their vehicle. You open the page, see the units actually available on your dates with their photos, year, pick-up point and price, and choose the one that suits you. Over three weeks, the gap between two owners of the same model ends up counting.
You see the vehicle before paying. Before any confirmation, the owner uploads a dated presentation less than seven days old: full walk-around of the bodywork, interior, boot and a readable number plate. We send it to you as is. If it doesn’t suit you, you drop out at no cost. It is especially useful from afar: you book from home, thousands of kilometres away, and you know exactly what awaits you on arrival — number plate included.
You only pay our intermediation fees online. Twenty per cent of the rental amount, by card, Wave or Orange Money. The rent and the security deposit are settled on site, directly with the owner.
Plan ahead. We call the owner to confirm availability before asking you for anything, and they then have to produce their dated presentation. For a planned stay, it makes no difference. For a rental the next day, allow for that delay.
What sets us apart
No deposit blocked on your card
It is the most concrete difference from an agency. The security deposit is even optional: many owners don’t ask for one. When there is one, the owner sets it, it is shown on the listing and settled directly with them — we don’t hold it and we have no say over its return.
The vehicle you see is the one you get
A dated presentation less than seven days old, number plate visible. If at handover the model or the registration don’t match, you can refuse the rental: report it to us within two hours of the scheduled handover time, with photos, and you are fully refunded.
An insurance requirement
No private owner’s listing is published without a valid category 8 insurance certificate — the category that covers rental. A vehicle insured in category 1, as almost all private cars are, cannot be listed with us.
You drive freely throughout Senegal
No regional limit, no mileage cap imposed by the platform.
A resident rate, with renters who offer one
If you live in Senegal, create your resident account: the resident rate of renters who offer one then shows by itself. The status has to be requested, it is never automatic: we call you to verify it.
Good to know before booking
Leaving Senegal requires written consent.
Driving within the country is free. Crossing the border — The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea — requires the owner’s written consent and a check of the territorial validity of the ECOWAS brown card. Ask when you book, not at the border: without that check, you are driving without cover.
One driver only, the one named in the contract.
Over three weeks, the temptation to take turns is strong. Handing the wheel to someone who is not named voids the cover.
The joint inspection report is your protection.
It is drawn up with the owner at departure and on return. It is the only document that is authoritative on the vehicle’s condition and on damage. The dated presentation does not replace it: it shows you the vehicle, it does not record its condition. On a long stay, take time to do it properly at departure — the scratches you don’t note that day, you will pay for on return.
In case of an accident, the accident report is essential.
An amicable accident report or, failing that, a police or gendarmerie report, sent to the owner within twenty-four hours. Without a report, the insurer is entitled to refuse cover and repairs remain the responsibility of the party at fault.
A guide, yes; a driver, no.
We never provide a driver. A guide who comes with you without driving the vehicle you rented is possible; a guide who takes the wheel is not — that is passenger transport, which falls under another scheme and a licensed professional. If you want to be driven, choose an offer with a driver: they exist, and they are insured for it.
Fuel: level noted at departure, same level on return.
The level is recorded on the departure inspection report, and you return the vehicle with the same fuel level. That is the rule, it is simple and it is not negotiable.
Carrying goods for third parties is forbidden.
It counts as public goods transport and would make you lose the benefit of the cover.
Which vehicle for which route.
Open to rental are passenger cars and double-cab pick-ups registered as passenger vehicles (VP) up to 3.5 tonnes. Vans and light commercial vehicles are not open at launch, two-wheelers not at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick up the car at the airport?
That is to be agreed directly with the owner, once you have exchanged contact details. Many accept. Remember that a taxi from AIBD to Dakar costs between 20 000 and 30 000 F: a handover on site is often the simplest and cheapest option.
Is there a mileage limit?
The platform imposes none. If the owner sets one, it is shown on the listing — read it before booking.
How much security deposit should I plan for?
Often none: the deposit is optional and many owners don’t ask for one. When there is one, the amount is set by the owner and shown on the listing before booking. It is paid on site and returned to you by the owner, under the terms agreed between you.
Can I take the car to Casamance?
Yes, like anywhere in Senegal. Tell the owner your route and choose a suitable vehicle: in the rainy season, some tracks need ground clearance.
What if I break down 300 kilometres from Dakar?
You have the owner’s direct contact details from confirmation, and it is with them that it gets sorted — it is their vehicle and their insurance. Check before leaving what their policy covers in terms of breakdown assistance: that is the question to ask at handover, not by the roadside.
Can I cancel?
More than seven days before: the amount paid online is fully refunded. Between seven days and 48 hours: it is kept. Less than 48 hours before: it is kept, and compensation of 30 % of the rental is owed to the owner. Details are in Part III of the terms and conditions.
No deposit blocked on your card
You see the vehicle before paying.