Dakar in March: The Cool Season Winds Down and Holidays

Dakar in March marks the tail end of the cool season, with the harmattan still possible early in the month before days warm up. The month's calendar is a busy one: Korité, the end of Ramadan, is expected around 9 or 10 March 2027, 8 March carries International Women's Day, and Easter falls on 28 March 2027, with the following Monday a public holiday in Senegal. At Ge'eza, hours stay the same as the rest of the year; for the month's public holidays, it is best to check opening on WhatsApp.

The tail end of a cooler season

March still sits within Senegal's dry season, but towards the end of its cooler stretch: days start warming up, and the harmattan, while still possible early in the month in some years, grows rarer as the month goes on. It is a gradual shift rather than a sharp change, and it varies from year to year.

Korité, expected around 9 or 10 March 2027

Korité marks the end of Ramadan and the return to normal eating after a month of fasting. Like the start of Ramadan, its date follows the lunar calendar and is only confirmed once the new moon is sighted: for 2027, it is expected around 9 or 10 March, an estimate to check as the date approaches. It is a major religious and family celebration in Senegal, marked by reunion meals. Our article on breaking the Ramadan fast in Dakar covers ndogou and what you can order at Ge'eza during the preceding month of fasting.

8 March, Women's Rights Day

8 March, International Women's Rights Day, is widely marked in Dakar, with gatherings, cultural events and tables shared among colleagues or friends. Ge'eza does not announce a specific programme for the date. In 2027, 8 March falls on a Monday, the house's usual closing day: to mark it over a meal or a coffee ceremony, come on Sunday 7 March or from Tuesday 9 March.

Easter and the public holiday Monday

Western Easter falls on 28 March 2027, and the following Monday, 29 March, is a public holiday in Senegal. It is also a Monday, Ge'eza's usual closing day, as the house opens Tuesday to Sunday; for Easter Sunday, as for any festive date, a quick check on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07 before heading over is a sensible step.

A brunch Sunday during the month

March remains a good month for a Sunday in Dakar, between a slow morning, a trip to the coast and a long lunch. Our article on Sunday in Dakar covers that kind of day in detail, useful for planning one of the month's Sundays, whether it falls before or after Korité.

Tracking the month's dates

With so many markers packed into a single month, lunar and fixed dates alike, the simplest approach is to check our Dakar cultural calendar, which gives an overview of the year and ways to follow the house's confirmed dates.

The terrace, a good spot for the month

With days warming without becoming overwhelming, March suits a meal on Ge'eza's terrace under the trees, at lunchtime or in the late afternoon. A fasting dish or a meat dish, followed by an iced coffee or a coffee ceremony, makes for a simple way to enjoy the last days of the cooler season.

Planning your week

For a week-long stay in March, spread your days across downtown, the coast and quieter moments, keeping the month's public holidays in mind when booking. A day can be built around a cultural visit in the morning, a shared lunch at Ge'eza, then a quieter afternoon given over to the gallery or a coffee on the terrace, before starting again the next day in a different neighbourhood.

A busy month for groups

With Korité on one side and Easter on the other, March packs in several occasions for gathering family or colleagues around a table. For a group above six, especially around a coffee ceremony, it is best to book early in the month, since the days before and after a holiday often concentrate demand on the same slots. A message on WhatsApp, in addition to the reservation form, helps the team prepare the space for a larger group.

What to pack

March still calls for light clothing and sun protection, with a light scarf useful on the mornings when the harmattan is still around. As the month warms up, water becomes more important for daytime outings, and a light layer for the evening still helps once the sun goes down on the terrace.

Booking ahead

For a meal at Ge'eza during your March stay, book through the reservation page or on WhatsApp, especially in the evening, at weekends and around Korité. Outside of public holidays, hours stay exactly the same as the rest of the year: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, closed on Mondays.