Sierra Leone
Warnings and insurance
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Warnings and insurance
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow
Get andtravel contactadvice FCDOupdates
Sign travelup onto get Twitter,email Facebooknotifications when andthis Instagram.travel Youadvice canis alsoupdated.
Follow signFCDO:
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).