Maouloud 2026: Dakar Dem Dikk deploys a special fleet of 300 buses, with more than 520 trips to Tivaouane and Kaolack

The national public transport company Dakar Dem Dikk (DDD) is no exception to the rule. As with every major religious event, it implements a special system to transport travelers within the country in comfortable and safe conditions, at affordable fares. It is within this framework that Dem Dikk has mobilized 300 buses to facilitate the transport of Muslim worshippers to Tivaouane and Kaolack for Mawlid 2026.

Nearly 20,000 pilgrims transported since the start of the Bourde

In the lead-up to this major religious event marking the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the public transport company has implemented a special system to assist pilgrims. According to Ms. Aminata Fall Sarr, Director of Operations for DDD, who provided an update on Monday, August 24, 2026, regarding the deployment in Tivaouane and Kaolack by the general management, the company has, since the start of the pilgrimage (August 14), implemented a special system at four sites in Dakar: Colobane station, the Pikine National Arena, the Ngalandou Diouf Stadium in Rufisque, and Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport in Yoff.

This system, consisting of 300 buses, made it possible to make more than 520 trips to Tivaouane and Kaolack, and transported nearly 20,000 pilgrims.

Ms. Sarr notes that upon the opening of the Bourde, this special arrangement began with Senegal Dem Dikk bus services, which facilitated 60 departures and transported over 3,000 pilgrims to Tivaouane. To date, more than 520 departures have been made from these four sites.

Twenty-four hours before Mawlid, the operations manager reassured the public that the deployment at these sites would continue until Tuesday at noon (12:00). Prices remained unchanged at 2,500 CFA francs per person for Tivaouane and 4,000 CFA francs per person for Kaolack. Tickets were sold directly on site, and the number of bags per person was limited.

This same arrangement will be maintained for the return of pilgrims to Dakar.

At these four departure points in Dakar, the defense and security forces are responsible for organizing the flow of passengers to ensure smooth and transparent operations. As she explained, "There are no tickets to hand in on site." Departures take place throughout the day until 6:00 PM, and passengers arrive and queue in order of arrival. Ms. Aminata Fall Sarr expressed her gratitude to the police officers and gendarmes on behalf of the Director General, Assane Mbengue.

The operations manager also indicated that this same system will be in place for the pilgrims' return to Dakar. For Tivaouane, the return will depart from the site of Serigne Mansour Sy Djamil, opposite the Mausoleum of Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Maktoum. In Kaolack, the return is planned opposite the Valdiodio Ndiaye High School. Departures are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 26, at 5:00 a.m.

Finally, the operations manager points out that this system is part of an annual tradition of supporting the faithful during major religious events, on the initiative of the General Manager, Assane Mbengue.