Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone's Freetown peninsula is lined with palm-backed beaches of pale sand, from River Number Two to Bureh, while Tiwai Island and Tacugama offer some of West Africa's best primate encounters. Bunce Island's slave-fort ruins add sobering history. Tourism is still small-scale, so expect few crowds and patchy infrastructure.
Overview
Sierra Leone fits forested mountains, rainforest islands and long Atlantic beaches into an area a little smaller than Scotland. Freetown, founded in 1792 by formerly enslaved Black Loyalists shipped from Nova Scotia, sits where the green hills of the peninsula meet one of the world's largest natural harbours. Most visits base themselves on the peninsula's beaches south of the city, add Tacugama's chimpanzees and a boat to Bunce Island or the Banana Islands, then travel east via Bo to Tiwai Island and the Gola rainforest near Kenema.
Travel is slower and pricier than many expect. Good beach lodges and Freetown hotels charge international rates, roads beyond the main highways are rough, and the rainy season from May to October is among the wettest anywhere. The rewards are near-empty beaches, superb seafood, warm, joking hospitality and a country rebuilding with real energy after war and Ebola. It suits travellers comfortable with improvisation; check the FCDO advice and plan the airport transfer before you arrive.
Map of Sierra Leone
Top 5 highlights
- 1Beach
River Number Two and the peninsula beaches
Where a river meets the sea beneath forested hills, River Number Two is the peninsula's postcard beach, run by a community association. Bureh, Tokeh and Kent lie nearby; Bureh has a surf club.
- 2Wildlife
Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
A community-run island in the Moa River with 11 primate species, including red colobus and chimpanzees, plus elusive pygmy hippos. Stay overnight at the camp and take guided forest walks and canoe trips.
- 3Wildlife
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Set in the forested hills of the Western Area Peninsula National Park above Freetown, this sanctuary rescues orphaned chimpanzees. Guided tours explain its work, and you can stay overnight in its eco-lodges.
- 4History
Bunce Island
Ruins of an 18th-century British slave fort in the Sierra Leone River, from which thousands of captives were shipped to the rice plantations of South Carolina and Georgia. Reached by boat from Freetown.
- 5Nature
Banana Islands
Three small islands off the peninsula's southern tip, reached by boat from Kent, with snorkelling, colonial-era ruins, simple guesthouses and fishing villages that feel far from Freetown's traffic.
Biggest cities
Freetown
The hilly capital has the Cotton Tree site, the National Museum, colourful Krio board houses and Lumley Beach's bars; traffic is heavy, so stay near where you plan to spend time.
Kenema
The eastern diamond-trading hub, lively but with few sights; useful as a stop on the way to Gola Rainforest National Park and the Kambui Hills.
Bo
A relaxed, friendly provincial capital and educational centre, Bo is the usual transport hub and overnight stop for reaching Tiwai Island.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Sierra Leone
Best time: Dec–Mar.
Average climate in Freetown
Festivals & events
- Jan, DecChristmas and New Year masquerades
Over the festive season, Ode-lay and other masquerade societies parade elaborately costumed 'devils' through Freetown's streets to drums and dancing crowds.
- AprIndependence Day
On 27 April, Sierra Leone marks independence from Britain in 1961 with parades, flag-raising and street parties, especially lively in Freetown.
How much does Sierra Leone cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Cassava leaf plasas
Finely pounded cassava leaves stewed in palm oil with fish, meat and chilli, served over rice — 'plasas' is the Krio word for a leafy sauce.
Groundnut stew
Chicken or fish simmered in a rich peanut sauce with tomato and chilli, eaten with rice; a comforting staple across the country.
Pepper soup
A fiery, thin broth of fish or meat with hot peppers and local spices, said to cure everything from colds to hangovers.
Getting around
Freetown International Airport is at Lungi, across the estuary: most visitors take the water taxi to Aberdeen, around 30–40 minutes, timed around flights. In town, kekes, okadas and shared poda-poda minibuses are cheap but slow in traffic. Paved highways link Freetown with Bo, Kenema and Makeni; for Tiwai, Gola or the north, hire a 4x4 with driver.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- DG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +232
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected at local eateries; around 10% in upmarket Freetown restaurants, and tip guides, boatmen and drivers for good service.
- Etiquette
- Greet people with 'kushe' and ask after their health before getting to business; use your right hand, and always ask before photographing people or markets.
- Main airports
- Freetown International Airport (FNA), Freetown (Lungi)
Visas & entry for Sierra Leone
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Sierra Leone.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Sierra Leone: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Sierra Leone
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 18 Feb 2027 | Armed Forces Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Tue 27 Apr 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Worker's Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | International Worker's Day (observed) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Krio
| English | Krio | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Kushɛ | KOO-sheh |
| Thank you | Tɛnki | TEN-kee |
| Please | Duya | DOO-ya |
| Excuse me | A bɛg padin | ah BEG pah-DEEN |
| How much is this? | Ɔmɔs fɔ am? | AW-maws faw am |
Know before you go
- Plan your airport transfer: the water taxi from Lungi to Aberdeen is quickest, while the road round via Port Loko can take three hours or more.
- The leone was redenominated in 2022 by removing three zeros; old-style prices are still sometimes quoted, so check which one a seller means.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on arrival, and malaria is widespread: take antimalarials and use repellent, especially in the rainy season.
Sierra Leone travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Sierra Leone?
The best time to visit Sierra Leone is generally Dec–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March and December. Average highs in Freetown range from 27°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Sierra Leone cost per day?
Roughly £40 a day on a tight budget, £90 mid-range and £180+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leonean leone (SLE).
What plug type does Sierra Leone use?
Type D and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sierra Leone?
Traffic drives on the right in Sierra Leone, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sierra Leone?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Sierra Leone?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Sierra Leone. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Sierra Leone before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sierra-leone/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Sierra Leone?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
