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Your Guide to Rental Car Pickup at DKR Airport

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for picking up a rental car at Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport (DKR), ensuring a smooth and efficient process for international travelers.

⚠️ Important Airport Confirmation

Please verify your arrival airport! Since late 2017, Dakar's main international airport is Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS). This guide is exclusively for Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport (DKR), which now serves limited charter, private, and government flights. Check your flight details and car rental confirmation carefully to ensure your pickup is at DKR and not DSS.

Your Guide to Picking Up a Rental Car at Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport (DKR)

Locating the Car Rental Counters in the Arrivals Hall

Navigating DKR airport is a relatively straightforward process due to its smaller size compared to modern hubs. After you disembark, clear immigration, and collect your bags from the baggage claim carousel, you will pass through a final customs check.

Immediately upon exiting the secure customs area, you will find yourself in the main public arrivals hall. This is where you will find the car rental desks. Look for a series of branded counters, typically clustered together along one of the walls of the hall. You will see familiar international logos alongside those of local Senegalese providers. The area is generally well-signed, but if you have any trouble, the airport information desk can point you in the right direction.

From Paperwork to Pavement: Getting Your Vehicle

Once you have completed the rental agreement at the counter, the process of getting to your car is simple. Unlike larger airports that require shuttle buses to remote lots, the vehicle parking area at DKR is conveniently close to the terminal.

In most cases, a company representative will personally escort you from the rental desk, out of the terminal building, and to the designated parking lot where your vehicle is waiting. This walk is typically very short, often just a minute or two. In some instances, the agent may bring the car directly to the curbside pickup area just outside the arrivals hall exit. Be sure to clarify with the agent where you should wait for your vehicle.

Understanding Agency Operating Hours

  • Flight Schedule Alignment

    Car rental agencies at Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport generally align their operating hours with the airport's flight schedules. Most counters will be staffed to meet arriving international and charter flights, even if they land late at night or early in the morning.
  • Check Specific Hours

    Official hours can vary between companies. It is highly advisable to check the specific operating hours for your rental company's DKR branch ahead of time.
  • Flight Delays

    If your flight is significantly delayed, use the local contact number on your reservation to inform the agency of your new estimated arrival time to ensure an agent will be there to assist you.

Official Car Rental Partners at DKR

Several reputable international and local companies maintain a physical presence at DKR. While availability may have shifted with the airport's change in status, the primary providers you can expect to find include:

CompanyLocationContact Phone
HertzIn the main group of rental counters in the arrivals hall+221 33 820 11 75
AvisLocated with the other agencies in the arrivals hall+221 33 849 77 57
SixtLook for the orange branding at the consolidated rental desk area+221 33 869 79 10
SenecartoursA well-regarded local provider often found alongside the international brands+221 33 820 00 29

Note: Phone numbers are for the primary Dakar offices which manage airport operations. It is always best to use the number provided on your rental confirmation.

Your Essential Pickup Checklist

To ensure a smooth and efficient pickup process, follow these steps and have your documents ready.

1. Prepare Your Documents

Before you even approach the counter, have the following items in hand:

2. Review the Rental Agreement

Read the contract carefully before signing. Pay close attention to the sections on insurance coverage (Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection), liability limits, and any additional fees. Ask questions if anything is unclear.

3. Inspect Your Vehicle Thoroughly

This is the most important step. Before you leave the parking lot, conduct a detailed inspection of the car, inside and out, with the rental agent present:

  • Exterior: Walk around the entire car and point out every single scratch, dent, or scuff, no matter how small. Make sure the agent notes all of them on the vehicle condition report.
  • Photos/Video: Use your smartphone to take a video of your walk-around and photos of any existing damage. This is your best evidence against potential disputes upon return.
  • Interior: Check the upholstery for stains or tears. Test the air conditioning (essential in Dakar's climate), radio, and windows.
  • Tires and Spare: Check the condition of all four tires and confirm there is a usable spare tire and the necessary tools (jack, lug wrench) in the trunk.
4. Confirm the Fuel Policy

Most rentals in Senegal operate on a "full-to-full" policy. This means you receive the car with a full tank and are expected to return it full. Confirm this with the agent and check that the fuel gauge reads "Full" before you drive away.

Summary: Key Takeaways for a Smooth Pickup

Picking up your rental car at DKR can be a simple process if you are prepared:

  • ImportantConfirm Your Airport: First and foremost, verify your booking is for Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport (DKR), not the new Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS).
  • PrepareHave Documents Ready: Keep your passport, license, IDP, credit card, and confirmation easily accessible.
  • ProtectInspect and Document: Do not rush the vehicle inspection. Carefully check for any pre-existing damage and document it with photos to protect yourself.
  • UnderstandClarify Everything: Understand the fuel policy and the terms of your rental agreement before you sign and drive off.