Sierra Leone Visitor Information

Climate Chart for Sierra Leone

Temperatures and humidity are high and rainfall is heavy. The average temperature is about 26.6°C (80°F), with a range of about 5.6°C (10°F) on the coast and 11°C (20°F) well inland. There are two distinct seasons; the dry season from November to April; and the wet season over the rest of the year, with the heaviest rainfall in July, August and September. Rainfall is greater along the coast, especially in the mountains, where there is more than 230 inches annually, but it averages more than 125 inches a year in most of the country, with about 144 inches at Freetown. The relative humidity varies from an average of 80% during the wet season to about 50% in the dry season.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
• US State Department - Travel Warnings

Visas are required by all except nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Visas extensions are available at the Department of Immigration in Freetown.

Official Currency:    Leone=100 cents
Current Exchange Rate:    Today's Exchange Rate

American Express is widely accepted and other credit cards are accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are best taken in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars, other currencies incur high exchange rates. It is recommended that you also have cash with you.

Air

There is currently no domestic airline. Private airlines can be chartered.

Bus

Sierra Leone Road Transport Corp. provides a reliable and efficient bus services from Freetown to all the major towns and the prices are fairly cheap. Bush taxis and minibuses also run on relatively short trips between towns.

Road

The main roads connecting major towns are sealed, but lesser used routes are in poor condition rendering them often impassable during the rains. Driving is on the right hand side and an International Driving Licence is required. There a very few car hie companies in the country.

1st January New Year's Day
27th April Independence Day
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day
Moveable holidays: Good Friday and Easter Monday
and variable Muslim holidays

click to view plug types

Electric Power is 220V - 240V running at 50Hz.
The Plug type used in Sierra Leone is: "Type D & G (British)"