Dakar in May: Rising Humidity and a Packed Calendar

Dakar in May closes out the dry season on rising humidity, with the heat yet to give way to the rainy season. The month strings together several dates in a row: 1 May, Fasika on the Ethiopian side on 2 May 2027, Ascension on 6 May 2027, Tabaski expected around 16 May 2027, and Africa Day on 25 May. For the month's public holidays, Ge'eza's opening is best checked on WhatsApp; the house announces no event for any of these dates.

The end of a humid dry season

May marks the end of Senegal's dry season, which generally runs from November to June, during its most humid stretch: the air grows heavier as the month goes on, signalling the rainy season that typically follows from July. Temperatures stay warm, with no figure to attach to that, and showers, still rare, can begin to appear towards the end of the month depending on the year.

1 May

1 May, Labour Day, is a public holiday in Senegal as in many countries. As with any public holiday this month, it is best to check Ge'eza's opening on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07 before heading over that day.

Fasika, the Ethiopian Orthodox Easter

Fasika, the Ethiopian Orthodox Easter, is expected on 2 May 2027, following Abiy Tsom, the great fast of around fifty-five days. It is a religious and family occasion, with no event announced at Ge'eza: the house stays open with its usual menu. Our article on Fasika, the Ethiopian Orthodox Easter covers the meaning of the holiday and what you can order in Point E to mark it, doro wot chief among them, at 9,000 F.

Ascension and Tabaski

Ascension falls on 6 May 2027, a public holiday in Senegal. Tabaski, one of the most important Muslim holidays, is expected around 16 May 2027, a date confirmed by the sighting of the moon and so worth checking as the month approaches. For both public holidays, check Ge'eza's opening on WhatsApp rather than assuming the usual weekly hours apply.

Africa Day, 25 May

25 May marks Africa Day, commemorating the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa in 1963. Ge'eza, a house that connects Ethiopian and Senegalese civilisations, naturally relates to this date. Our article on Africa Day, 25 May sets out several ways to mark it in Dakar, including a meal that bridges the two countries.

A calendar to track rather than memorise

With five dates packed into a single month, two of them lunar holidays still indicative at the time of writing, the safest approach is to check our Dakar cultural calendar as the month approaches, confirming each date rather than relying on an estimate given far in advance.

A table that marks the end of a fast

For anyone who followed Abiy Tsom before Fasika, or who is approaching Tabaski, Ge'eza's menu brings both repertoires together all year round: vegan fasting dishes available at any time, and meat dishes such as doro wot, at 9,000 F, for marking the end of a fasting period with a richer meal. No special offer accompanies these dates: it is the usual menu that lets you put that meal together.

A humid month to plan around

Towards the end of the month, rising humidity can bring the odd early shower, ahead of the rainy season settling in more firmly in July. It changes little about planning a May stay, but it is a reason to keep an indoor fallback in mind, such as a stop at the gallery or the villa's lounge, for days when the sky clouds over more than usual.

A busy month for families and groups

With five dates spread across a few weeks, May often draws families who take advantage of several public holidays in a row to gather in Dakar. For a group lunch or dinner, especially around Tabaski, it is best to book early in the month and confirm the number of guests, since demand concentrates on the same days as the holiday itself and the days that follow.

What to pack

May's rising humidity calls for light, breathable clothing and plenty of water for daytime outings, alongside the usual sun protection. A light waterproof layer is worth keeping in a bag towards the end of the month, in case an early shower catches you between two stops.

Booking ahead

With so many public holidays packed into the month, it is worth planning your bookings early. For a meal at Ge'eza in May, book through the reservation page or on WhatsApp, and check opening on WhatsApp for 1 May, Ascension and Tabaski. Outside those dates, hours stay exactly the same as the rest of the year: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, closed on Mondays.