HOUSING IN DAKAR FOR WARC-AFFILIATED RESEARCHERS

When considering housing in Dakar, please bear in mind that Dakar is a major international city and that the cost of living rivals that of cities like New York, Paris, and Montreal. Housing is at a premium and, while prices vary widely, tends to be quite expensive. While WARC is not able to provide or guarantee housing, it can often assist those researchers formally affiliated with WARC in locating appropriate housing in Dakar (see procedures for establishing official status as a WARC affiliated researcher). So this is a service we provide to affiliated researchers for free; if this service is extended to non-affiliated researchers the fee is 20 000FCFA.
Some housing options are listed below:

Hotels.
There are many hotels offering a range of degrees of comfort and service in Dakar. WARC often recommends the "Auberge Marie Lucienne" which is located within walking distance of WARC. It has modest but quite comfortable air-conditioned rooms, most with small refrigerators. Breakfast is included in the nightly rate. You can reach them by calling +221 33 869 00 90. Information on other hotels located further from WARC is available at http://www.au-senegal.com/repertoire/index.php?lang=FR&idreg=1

Maison de l'Université.
Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) makes available a number of rooms in its "Maison de l' Université". Photos can be found at www.ucad.sn under "Maison de l' Université". For information on rates and availability, please contact the manager, Demba Ndiaye at daim_snd@yahoo.fr or call him on his mobile +221 776454907 or his office +221 338650040

Furnished rooms/apartments
WARC may be able to give you leads on rooms or apartments that are available, or to put you in touch with a rental agent. Agents generally require a percentage of the first month's rent as their fee. Occasionally, WARC may be aware of particular apartments that are free.

Private residences (home stays)
WARC can often provide references for home stays. The price is 150 000 FCFA / month for researchers. It is generally less expensive than staying in a hotel or at "La Maison de l'Université". In addition, staying with a family allows one an opportunity to get to know Senegal at a more personal level.

It is important for those staying with families to bear in mind that they are guests of the family, that these families have extended their hospitality and that it is important to behave accordingly. Those staying with host families are generally welcome to join in family meals. In terms of laundry, most people who are able to hire a washer can do it or send their clothing out to be laundered. You may be able to arrange with the family to have your clothes washed as well, but you should plan to wash out your "underthings" (panties) yourself.

For those staying with families, payment is on a monthly basis only. So, for example, if you stay 23 days, you would be expected to pay for the month. Monthly payments are generally due between the 1st and the 5th day of every month.

Please Note: Should WARC make housing arrangements for you with a senegalese family and you change your mind at the last minute (as some researchers unfortunately do) you will have to pay a panality of 25.000 FCFA.