Sierra Leone
Summary
There is currently an emerging situation in Freetown. If you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours).
If you’re in Sierra Leone and you need urgent help you can call us 24/7 on +232 (0) 7678 0713.
In the early hours of 26 November 2023 Wilberforce Barracks came under attack. There is heavy gunfire in the vicinity of Wilkinson Road (central area of Freetown).
The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has issued a Public Notice with a nationwide curfew. Flights and travel to and from Freetown International Airport are subject to disruption. Individuals should refer to their airlines for further updates.
We encourage everyone to abide by the current nationwide curfew. Consular staff are available 24/7 to support British Nationals if needed.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Sierra Leone’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
See our travel advice help and support for details of who to contact in an emergency.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Most visits to Sierra Leone are incident free, but a small number of incidents have been reported of British nationals being robbed, sometimes at knife-point. See Crime
Avoid any political gatherings or demonstrations, and comply with any restrictions that are put in place. When approaching a checkpoint, slow down and pay attention to the instructions given by the security officials. See Safety and security
You will need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. See Visas
If you travel outside the Freetown peninsula, try to complete your travel during the hours of daylight, inform your employers of your whereabouts and make sure they have copies of your itinerary. See Local travel
There are several transfer options from Freetown Lungi airport, including by road, ferry, water taxi and local boats or pirogues. See Travel to Freetown from the airport
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Sierra Leone, attacks can’t be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate. You should be vigilant, especially in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel and make sure your insurance specifically includes medical repatriation.
There is currently an emerging situation in Freetown. If you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours).
If you’re in Sierra Leone and you need urgent help you can call us 24/7 on +232 (0) 7678 0713.
In the early hours of 26 November 2023 Wilberforce Barracks came under attack. There is heavy gunfire in the vicinity of Wilkinson Road (central area of Freetown).
The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has issued a Public Notice with a nationwide curfew. Flights and travel to and from Freetown International Airport are subject to disruption. Individuals should refer to their airlines for further updates.
We encourage everyone to abide by the current nationwide curfew. Consular staff are available 24/7 to support British Nationals if needed.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Sierra Leone’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
See our travel advice help and support for details of who to contact in an emergency.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Most visits to Sierra Leone are incident free, but a small number of incidents have been reported of British nationals being robbed, sometimes at knife-point. See Crime
Avoid any political gatherings or demonstrations, and comply with any restrictions that are put in place. When approaching a checkpoint, slow down and pay attention to the instructions given by the security officials. See Safety and security
You will need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. See Visas
If you travel outside the Freetown peninsula, try to complete your travel during the hours of daylight, inform your employers of your whereabouts and make sure they have copies of your itinerary. See Local travel
There are several transfer options from Freetown Lungi airport, including by road, ferry, water taxi and local boats or pirogues. See Travel to Freetown from the airport
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Sierra Leone, attacks can’t be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate. You should be vigilant, especially in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel and make sure your insurance specifically includes medical repatriation.
Update history
2025-04-01 12:59
New information on land ownership disputes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-09 16:58
Updated information about political situation in Sierra Leone (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-11-26 13:11
New information on taking photographs and filmmaking (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-09 13:33
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-02-02 14:02
Information on water sports and swimming safety (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-20 14:13
As of 20 December 2023, the nationwide curfew has been lifted across Sierra Leone (‘Summary’ page).
2023-12-12 11:16
Information on nationwide curfew times (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-30 09:23
Updated information about safety following the reports of gunfire in Freetown on 26 November 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-27 20:16
“Updated information about safety following the reports of gunfire in Freetown on 26 November 2023 (Summary page)”
2023-11-26 15:46
Information about safety following the reports of gunfire in Freetown on 26 November 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-07-12 16:18
Information about safety following the general election on 24 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-27 14:55
Information about safety following the general election on 24 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages) and to note public holiday on 28 June (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-26 15:42
Information about safety following the general election on 24 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-23 15:31
Information about safety during the general election on 24 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-22 12:08
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-04-28 11:16
Removal of information on COVID-19 testing and addition of information on new Evisa available and general election on 24 June 2023 (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-15 09:10
Removal of reference to Covid testing (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-31 14:08
Addition of information about the introduction of a airport security fee for inbound and outbound passengers (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-12 15:52
Updated information on disruption at the Sierra Leone-Guinea border. (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-10 17:58
Updated information on violent demonstrations in Freetown and other cities on 10 August. (“Summary” and “Safety and Security” pages).
2022-07-14 15:45
Updated information on changes to entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-13 11:23
Removal of information on a case of Marburg virus disease in Guekédou, Forestière Region in neighbouring Guinea
2022-04-25 15:15
Updated information on testing requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-20 17:39
Updated information on changes in requirements for COVID-19 testing prior to departure and on arrival in Sierra Leone (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-01 14:06
Update to information on Lassa fever on COVID-19 vaccine requirements for entry to Sierra Leone (‘Health’ page).