Sierra Leone travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (consular assistance figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Travel Summary

• Transport infrastructure is poor. None of the options for transferring between the international airport at Lungi and Freetown are risk-free. You should study the transfer options carefully before travelling, especially if you plan to arrive at night. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff operate a policy of informed choice and presumed competence within certain parameters. Wherever possible, they use water modes by day and, if they choose to travel, helicopter at night. They do not travel on the hovercraft. See the Local Travel (Getting to Freetown from the airport) section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• You should take precautions and avoid demonstrations, especially in urban areas. Over the weekend of 13-16 March 2009 there were demonstrations between rival political supporters in Freetown. On 13 December 2007 residents in Koidu town, Kono district, clashed with police during protests against a local mining company. See the Local Travel (Travel outside the capital) section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Petty crime is common. You should exercise caution when travelling in Freetown, particularly in the Eastern area of the city and in the central commercial district. You should take precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. See the Crime section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Travel outside the Western Area can be difficult, as roads and infrastructure are poor. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from global terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Sierra Leone in 2009 were for replacing lost and stolen passports and dealing with arrests and detentions.
  
  
• There are few health facilities in Sierra Leone. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including for medical evacuation. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice and Travel Insurance .

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from global terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime

Sierra Leone and its capital Freetown have a low but rising crime rate. Nonetheless we receive several reports each month of incidents involving international travellers and expatriates, who are an obvious target for criminals. You should be aware that a number of violent incidents take place around nightclubs and bars in the of Lumley Beach and Aberdeen areas. You should exercise particular caution in these areas after dark. There are also occasional small riots between rival groups of youths in the central and eastern areas of Freetown. These normally disperse relatively quickly, but if you encounter such an incident, you should leave the area immediately.

The greatest risk to short-stay travellers is that of pick pocketing and mugging in the capital, Freetown. If you are staying for a longer period in rented or bought accommodation you should consider the security of your property and are strongly advised to employ guards. The majority of crimes in Sierra Leone are committed unarmed, but the number of incidents in which weapons are used is increasing. You are advised to take the following precautions against crime:

• Exercise caution when travelling in Freetown, particularly in the eastern area of the city and in the central commercial district around Siaka Stevens Street, Lightfoot Boston Street and Sir Samuel Lewis Road.
• Avoid carrying valuables in public.
• Avoid the groups of youths that congregate in the town centre and at roundabouts.
• Use a vehicle if you need to travel after dark in Freetown.
• Use a privately owned or rented vehicle rather than taxis or podapodas (minibuses).
• Avoid walking alone on beaches, especially Lumley beach. Lumley beach has seen a number of crimes against particularly unaccompanied pedestrians. The areas near hotels and lifeguards offer a greater level of security and incidents against groups are rare. Do not use the beaches after dark. Beware of walking barefoot on beaches, because of hospital waste, including needles.
• Don’t drive outside Freetown after dark. Most roads in Freetown and all roads outside Freetown are unlit; there are no regular police patrols along them and often no traffic for long periods. If you are involved in an accident you are less likely to reach assistance at night and are at increased risk of both a secondary collision and crime.

You should check the quality of any gems and/or minerals that you purchase before legally removing them from the country. You should also be aware that any deals that appear too good to be true, probably are. Sporting events and concerts at the national stadium pose a high risk to personal security and safety. Pickpocketing is rife. Poor crowd control and overcrowding make the general stands - and sometimes even the VIP area - uncomfortable and unsafe. Rioting has occurred at previous events and could occur again in the future.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad. Political Situation

Sierra Leone Country Profile Sierra Leone is becoming increasingly stable after its 10-year conflict ended in 2002. In August – September 2007 the country held its second set of national elections since the end of the war. Both rounds of the election were well administrated and generally peaceful. Local elections in 2008 also passed off quietly. However, tensions remain between party supporters, especially in the urban area in the South and East of the country You should avoid all party political events (identifiable by the red, green or orange clothes worn by the participants) and large crowds and demonstrations.

Those indicted of having the greatest responsibility for crimes committed during the country’s civil war are on trial at the Special Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown. Appeals in some of the cases will continue to take place during 2009 and could trigger protests. Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia and one of those accused by the Special Court for Sierra Leone of crimes relating to the civil war, was captured in March 2006 and transferred to the Hague for trial in June 2006. This trial is ongoing and the possibility of protests regarding developments in this case remains. Two politically fragile countries, Liberia and Guinea, border Sierra Leone. Events in either country could affect stability within Sierra Leone. You should check our Travel Advice for both countries before visiting and keep informed of any significant political developments during your stay.
Local Travel Getting to Freetown from the airport

Lungi airport is situated on the far side of a wide estuary from Freetown. The government is currently undertaking a programme of improvements to Lungi (Freetown) airport, including its fire fighting and rescue service and its security. There are currently a range of travel options from Lungi airport: road, helicopter, ferry, hovercraft, Pelican water taxi and local boats/pirogues. None is without risk. You should study the transfer options carefully before travelling, especially if you plan to arrive at night. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff operate a policy of informed choice and presumed competence within certain parameters. Wherever possible, they use water modes by day and, if they choose to travel, helicopter at night. They do not travel on the hovercraft. For road transfers FCO staff only travel by day at moderate speeds using competent, well-rested drivers driving in convoys of at least two vehicles suitable for travel on badly-rutted unmade roads.
Almost all international flights to Sierra Leone arrive during, or shortly before, the hours of darkness. We advise against all road or sea transfers between Freetown and Lungi outside of daylight hours (dusk is around 1900). This is due to the absence of navigational lights on boats and ferries, the hazards of driving at night in Sierra Leone (see the Road Safety section of this Travel Advice), the decreased likelihood of help reaching you in the event of an emergency and your increased vulnerability to crime. We recommend that travellers arriving in the evening or at night who will be continuing by road or sea use accommodation at Lungi before transferring the next morning. There are two registered hotels near Lungi airport and several smaller guest houses (contact details for the hotels are below). We recommend that you book early as rooms are limited and, often in high demand. If you are unable to book a room for the night of your arrival we advise re-arranging your flight.
Transfer by road If intending to travel by road, you should arrange in advance to be collected at the airport by a competent driver in a car suitable for travel on badly-rutted, unmade roads. A hotel, travel agency or car rental company may be able to arrange this. There are no car hire facilities at Lungi airport. There is a list of Freetown-based companies that can provide hire cars for collection at Lungi available on the High Commission’s website. We advise you not to use a taxi or poda-poda (minibuses). See the Road Safety section of this Travel Advice for further guidance. Transfer by air
The UTAir helicopter transfer service between Lungi Airport and Freetown resumed on 8 July 2008. Previously, its licence to fly was suspended by the Government of Sierra Leone on 14 March 2008.
Transfer by sea

There are four alternatives for transferring between Lungi and Freetown by sea: ferry, hovercraft, Pelican water taxi and local boats/pirogues.

Sea-going vessels in Sierra Leone are not required to meet the maintenance standards or pass the safety checks that would be required in the UK. The risks associated with sea travel are therefore greater than they would be on a similar vessel in British waters. There is no scheduled service with full maintenance records available for public inspection. There will be no public emergency service response to any problems at sea. Independent travellers will find it very difficult to make arrangements for a private emergency response service.

The ferry service terminates in Freetown in the eastern end of the city. The drive from the ferry terminal to the hotels along Lumley beach (Aberdeen district) takes around an hour, but can take up to two in bad traffic. You should avoid using the ferry alone or as a foot passenger as international foot passengers have been mugged while getting on and off the ferry. The ferry was warned by the Port Authorities in January 2007 about overloading, and has been known to operate in poor visibility without lights. There is a lack of basic safety equipment on board, including navigational aids, lifeboats and accessible life jackets. Emergency procedures are unclear.

Pelican water taxis provide a service across the estuary, operating from Freetown (Aberdeen) to Lungi (Mahera Beach). They have some limited safety equipment and rescue capability but have been known to operate in poor visibility without lights. Local boats/pirogues regularly capsize and we strongly recommend against using them for travel across the estuary. On Saturday 28 February 2009 a local boat operating from Kissi to Lungi capsized during the crossing and 5 people are reported to have drowned. We also advise against using any boat service in rough conditions, which are worse during the rainy season (May-October). If you choose to cross by boat we strongly advise that you notify a reliable contact of your departure and expected arrival times and agree what action they will take if you do not arrive at the expected time.

The commercial hovercraft service between Freetown (Aberdeen) and Mahera Beach (Lungi) relaunched on 7 May 2008. On 2 July 2008 the hovercraft lost power and failed to fully get up the beach at Aberdeen. On 23 May 2008 the hovercraft crashed into the terminal at Mahera Beach damaging the wall of the building. None of the passengers waiting in the terminal was hurt. It was reported that one lift engine lost power due to a fuel blockage. In November 2007 it experienced mechanical problems while crossing the lagoon. There was no organised emergency response and the passengers were rescued by small craft. The hovercraft was subsequently towed back to Freetown.
Hotels at Lungi Disclaimer: This list is provided by HM Consul in Freetown for the convenience of enquirers, but neither Her Majesty’s Government nor any official of the consulate takes any responsibility for the competence or probity of any individual hotel or firm or for the consequences of any service undertaken. Hotels The Lungi Airport Hotel Tel: +232 22 338272 / 75 The Mahera Beach Hotel, Lungi Tel: +232 76 611775 / 633084 Travelling outside the capital There are no restrictions on travelling around Sierra Leone. However a successful trip to areas beyond the capital will require thorough planning. You should take precautions when travelling and avoid demonstrations. On 13 December 2007 residents in Koidu town, Kono district, clashed with police during protests against a local mining company. The main roads from Freetown to Makeni and Mile 91 are tarmacked and suitable for most types of vehicle. The majority of other roads outside Freetown are constructed from rocks and mud, with frequent potholes. During the rainy season (May to October) rural roads can become difficult to use, even for off-road vehicles. Illegal roadblocks are sometimes put up by youths, who will often ask for a small donation for mending the road. Occasionally those manning the roadblock will be armed. Roadblocks are most common at the weekend and on roads to tourist beaches in the Western Area. They are easily distinguishable from the legal checkpoints erected by police, who are uniformed and normally use marked barriers or vehicles to indicate where drivers should stop. The safest response to seeing an illegal roadblock ahead of you is to turn the car around before reaching it and use an alternative route. Stopping at a roadblock and winding down your window could allow someone to reach into your vehicle. Roadblocks will sometimes be lifted if you indicate with your horn that you do not intend to stop. Road Travel

We advise against using the private taxis and poda-podas (minibuses) that provide transport along fixed routes in Freetown and the Western Area. They are often crowded and not subject to European road safety standards. There have been several incidents recently of Western passengers in public taxis and poda-podas having belongings stolen. A limited number of private cars are available for hire on a short-term basis and major hotels and travel agencies offer cars for hire, with a chauffeur if required. Serious road accidents occur quite frequently in Sierra Leone due to the hazardous driving conditions, poor vehicle maintenance and erratic driving. In March 2009 four western passengers were very seriously injured while travelling in a poda-poda in Freetown. All roads are unlit and potholes are common, especially during the rainy season (May to October). The vast majority of roads have no street lights, signs, painted markings or cat’s eyes. The emergency service response to accidents in Freetown is very slow and unreliable. Outside the capital you should assume that there would be no emergency service response to an accident.. You can improve your road safety by:

• driving defensively;
• keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in your car and knowing how to use it;
• travelling in convoy with other cars;
• not travelling alone in a vehicle;
• having a communications system that covers where you are travelling;
• reporting your progress to someone who knows your route plan and agree with them what action they will take if you do not make contact at a scheduled time;
• planning how you will get medical treatment in case of an accident.

Travel after dark outside Freetown should be avoided.

For more general information see Driving Abroad. Air Travel You should reconfirm onward/return flights 72 hours in advance.
The European Community has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

Any airline from outside the EU or European Economic area, which wishes to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK, requires a permit from the Secretary of State. It is a condition of the permit that the airline should be operated in accordance with international safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. No airline registered in Sierra Leone currently has a permit to land in the UK.

Following the crash (cause unknown) of a Boeing 737 operated by Bellview Airlines en route from Lagos to Abuja (killing all 117 passengers and crew) in October 2005, and a more recent emergency landing (hydraulic failure) by another Bellview operated Boeing 737 en route to Freetown at Accra, the airline was grounded for a week by Nigerian authorities. Regional flights from Lagos and Abuja to Freetown have now resumed. However, we advise that these incidents are taken into consideration when planning any regional travel in West Africa.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Swimming

Sierra Leone has many attractive beaches. But strong currents are common. Swimmers should take care and consult local advice before entering the water.

Sea Travel
See the “Getting to Freetown from the airport” section for information on the ferry, hovercraft and private boat services.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Local laws and customs

The majority of Sierra Leoneans are Muslim and Sierra Leone has a tolerant Islamic culture. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see Travelling during Ramadan You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. All precious stones require an export licence. If you commit criminal offences, including drug trafficking and diamond smuggling you can expect to be subjected to local law. There are heavy penalties for those convicted. Local prison conditions are harsh. Homosexual acts are illegal in Sierra Leone. You should carry ID (passport or residence permit) at all times, particularly when driving or taking a taxi, when the likelihood of having to produce it is high. Adoption The Government of Sierra Leone, together with UNICEF, are tackling issues related to the trafficking of children. We recommend that anyone proposing to adopt a child from Sierra Leone ensure beforehand that their proposed plans meet all the requirements of Sierra Leone Adoption Law. The government office responsible for adoptions in Sierra Leone is the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (Tel/Fax: 00 232 76 624 597). Adoption orders from Sierra Leone are not recognised in the UK. Sierra Leone nationals require visas to enter the UK. If you are returning to live in the UK, you will need to apply for entry clearance for the child as a child coming for adoption in the UK. Please refer to UK Border Agency Visa Services for more details.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

Visas
All British nationals require a visa to enter Sierra Leone. Visas must be obtained before arrival from the Sierra Leonean High Commission in London.

Anyone travelling to Sierra Leone to visit friends or relatives should ensure they have the correct travel documentation before they travel. The Sierra Leone High Commission in London sometimes issues Emergency Travel Certificates to Sierra Leoneans resident in the UK. These documents are not valid for return travel to the UK. Sierra Leone nationals require a visa for the UK, which can only be issued in a full passport. The application process for a UK visa at the British High Commission in Freetown takes a minimum of 2 weeks. Please see http://ukinsierraleone.fco.gov.uk/en/visas/ for further details.Anyone with a claim to British Nationality should ensure they apply for and obtain a British passport before they travel. Parents should ensure they apply for a British passport for any children in good time before travel. First time applicants for British passports must be interviewed and produce original supporting documents. The process can be lengthy. Please see http://ukinsierraleone.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/ for further details.

Passport validity The minimum passport validity requirement is one year. Dual Nationality
If you have dual British/Sierra Leone nationality you should be aware that if you enter Sierra Leone on your Sierra Leonean passport then the British High Commission will be unable to assist you. Travelling via Guinea
If you intend to travel via Conakry you should ensure that you have the necessary multiple entry visas for Guinea and a certified Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

Health

Medical facilities are poor in Sierra Leone. The emergency service response in Freetown is very slow and unreliable. Outside the capital you should assume that there would be no emergency service response if you get into medical difficulty. You should carry basic medical supplies.

Rabies, lassa fever, water-borne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are common to Sierra Leone. Vaccination against yellow fever (which is required to enter Guinea) is strongly advised.

Lassa fever can be contracted in Kenema and the east. If you have travelled in this region you should seek urgent medical advice if you suffer from any fever not positively identified as malaria.

Cholera remains a problem, there are infrequent outbreaks. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. There can be water shortages in the Freetown area especially at the end of the dry season (March to June). If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Sierra Leone you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 51,000 adults aged 15 or over in Sierra Leone were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.7% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Sierra Leone and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance. This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

You should register with the British High Commission in Freetown as soon as possible after you arrive. Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Water and Power

Water shortages are frequent. Networked power is rare, especially outside Freetown; rented accommodation and hotels rely on generators and imported fuel supplies.

Language

Many Sierra Leoneans outside the capital do not speak English.

Telephone network

No mobile network covers all of Sierra Leone and several areas, even on main roads, have no mobile reception. There is no public telephone system outside the Western Area.

Money

Credit cards are not accepted in Sierra Leone and the opportunities to exchange travellers' cheques are limited. All foreign exchange transactions must be handled through the banks and official exchange offices. A small number of banks in central Freetown may be prepared to accept credit cards for the purchase of local currency.