Route cheat-sheet

• Airports: Cape Town (CPT) → Dakar (DSS)
• Typical duration: 1-stop via major hubs; journey ≈12–18h depending on layover
• Airline patterns: via DOH/ADD/LFW/ABJ depending on schedule
• Best booking window: 8–16+ weeks for long-haul/leisure peaks; 3–8 weeks for regional business.
• Peak price drivers: SA school holidays, big events, and conference calendars.

How to win this route (strategy)

Corporate timing, documentation (visa, invitation letters), health entry checks, on-arrival transfers.

Practical tactics before you buy

• Aim to arrive the afternoon before meetings to buffer delays.
• Keep invitation letters/contacts handy for immigration queries.
• Arrange trusted hotel transfers; traffic conditions vary by district and hour.

Baggage & fare brands (plain English)

• Light/Basic: cabin-only; strict size/weight—add checked bag at booking if needed.
• Standard/Flex: includes checked bag(s) and easier changes—often cheaper than add-ons later.
• Special items: sports/photo/cargo samples—check airline rules and prebook allowances.

Connections & hub quality

• Prefer same-terminal connections above MCT; avoid last flight of the day for self-connects.
• If a red-eye lands too early for hotel check-in, plan a lounge or short tour to bridge the gap.
• Long layover? Prioritise hubs with easier transfers and good wayfinding.

On-arrival logistics — Dakar

• Use registered taxis/ride-hailing where available; confirm corporate rates with hotels.
• Traffic to/from business districts can spike around 08:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00—plan buffers.
• Have local contacts reachable on arrival for any documentation follow-up.

Documents & health (verify official guidance)

• Check entry visa requirements for your passport and any transit hubs.
• Ensure passport validity and blank pages meet the destination’s standards.
• Verify any health entry requirements per official sources.
• Consider travel insurance covering medical care and trip changes.

Book smarter on FMLT

• Search /flights/cape-town-to-dakar/ and add travellers/dates.
• Filter by bags, time of day, stops and fare flexibility.
• Compare fare brands line-by-line; include what you’ll need up-front.
• Secure checkout via major cards or instant EFT; your confirmation includes airline record locators.