Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Sierra Leone depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Sierra LeoneEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 999
Currency
- Name
- Sierra Leonean Leone
- Code
- SLE
- Symbol
- Le
Redenominated in 2022 (three zeros removed). USD widely accepted.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type D, Type G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
Dry season November to April is the best window. Avoid the heavy rains of July to September.
Major Airports
- FNA
Lungi International Airport
Freetown · across the estuary from Freetown — reached by ferry or helicopter
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Guides | USD 15–20 per day | — |
Dress Code
What "modest dress" usually means
Shoulders and knees covered, nothing tight or sheer, no low-cut tops, no visible underwear or midriff. Loose, breathable fabrics work best in warm climates. In most places this is a social expectation rather than a legal rule — the country-specific notes below add any extras (headscarves at mosques, long trousers in temples, etc.).
- Casual Western dress fine in Freetown
- Modest in rural areas; cover shoulders and knees in Muslim-majority areas
Social Etiquette
- English is the official language; Krio is the lingua franca and is derived from English
- Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of Africa's best primate rehabilitation projects
- River No. 2 and Tokeh beaches on the Freetown Peninsula are extraordinary
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required
- Photography of government, military and bridges prohibited
- Homosexuality is criminalised
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Krio) | Kushe | KOO-sheh |
| How are you? (Krio) | Aw di bodi? | aw-dee-BO-dee — reply 'di bodi fayn' |
| Thank you (Krio) | Tenki | TENK-ee |
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