Flag of Sierra Leone

Flag of Sierra Leone

  • Officially: Republic of Sierra Leone
  • Capital: Freetown (~ 1 million)

Facts

  • Population » 7.4 million
  • Languages » English, Krio (Creole language derived from English), Temne, Mende and other West African languages
  • Religions » Islam, Christianity
  • Life expectancy » 51 years (men), 52 years (women)
  • Currency »

Geography

  • Area » 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles)
  • Located in West Africa
  • Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the southwest, Liberia to the southeast and Guinea to the northeast.
  • The landscape offers a flat coastal belt, the eastern half is covered by hills and high mountains, part of the Guinea highlands.
    • Mount Bintumani (1,948 m (6,391 ft)) within the Loma mountains in Koinadugu (Northern Province) is the highest peak in the country.
    • Main rivers are the Tai river, the Sewa (Sew), and the Moa River
Map of Sierra Leone (Source » ReliefWeb)

Map of Sierra Leone (Source » ReliefWeb)

Maps

Climate

  • Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with two seasons
    • The rainy season from May to November
      • The rainfall increases to a peak in July and August and then decreases until rain has almost ceased by November.
    • The dry season from December to May

Tourism

  • The beaches of the Freetown peninsula are spectacular

Visa

  • Tourist visa » required for citizens from most nations.
  • Visas on Arrival are valid for one month, for tourism, family, academic and religious reasons, and can be extended once in Sierra Leone.
  • Visa on arrival is only granted at the point of entry before the passenger proceed to immigration control.
  • Visa may be obtained in person from the Sierra Leone embassy in The Gambia (not a neighbouring country)
  •  Sierra Leone eVisa System
    • updated list of countries and more information on visas on the official website of Sierra Leone’s Immigration Department.
  • Visa on Arrival can be granted at »
    • Freetown International Airport, Lungi
    • Jendema – the crossing point from Liberia into Sierra Leone
    • Gbalamuya – the crossing point from Guinea into Sierra Leone

Adventures Overland

  • Sierra Leone can be accessed by road from Guinea and Liberia. Special permits are required if transiting the border with a private vehicle.
  • Drive » Right side
  • Other than the main roads, from Freetown to Makeni or to Bo, roads are in poor condition and rarely paved outside Freetown.
  • Services outside Freetown are limited.
  • Road conditions deteriorate significantly during the rainy season.

Notes

  • Sierra Leone is sometimes described as a diamond in the rough
    • The country is rich in diamonds and other minerals
      • These diamonds have been connected to illegal trade and the financing of terrorist organisations
  • Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961, yet is the poorest nation in the Commonwealth.
  • History tied to Nova Scotia.

Safety & Security

Health

  • There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers from all countries.
Map Sierra Leone (Source » France)

Map Sierra Leone (Source » France)

Government Traveller Advisories

Posts

Media

Resources

This page was updated March 30, 2023