Sierra Leone at a Glance
The key facts before you book your flight.
Main Airport
Lungi International (FNA) — 30-min water taxi from Freetown
Visa on Arrival
USD 80 for most nationalities. No pre-approval needed.
Currency
New Leone (NLe). USD widely accepted. Card at major hotels.
Best Time to Visit
Nov–Apr (dry season). Beaches, wildlife, road travel all easier.
Languages
English (official) + Krio (widely spoken). Easy to get around.
SIM Cards
Orange or Africell SIMs at the airport. Cheap data, good coverage in Freetown.
Arrival & Getting Around
From landing at Lungi to settling into Freetown.
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Lungi Airport Complete Guide
Arrivals, departures, immigration tips, money exchange, SIM cards, and transport options from the terminal.
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Lungi–Freetown Crossing Guide
Water taxi, helicopter, hovercraft, bridge update — all your options for crossing the estuary explained.
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Freetown Travel Guide
Neighbourhoods, transport, money, accommodation zones, restaurants, markets — the complete city primer.
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Visa on Arrival Guide
Step-by-step: USD 80 fee, required documents, how immigration works at Lungi, and how to extend your stay.
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Beaches & Nature
Some of West Africa's finest sand — and almost no crowds.
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Best Beaches in Sierra Leone 2026
Lumley, Tokeh, River No. 2, John Obey, Bureh — ranked and rated with how to reach each one.
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Lumley Beach Guide
Freetown's most accessible beach strip — restaurants, beach bars, safety, and best times to visit.
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John Obey Beach
The hidden gem — secluded, pristine, no resorts. The most beautiful beach on the peninsula.
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Surfing in Sierra Leone
Bureh Beach has world-class waves. Board rental, surf season, accommodation — everything for surf travellers.
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Outamba-Kilimi National Park
Hippos, chimps, elephants and rare birds in Sierra Leone's wildest park. How to get there and what to expect.
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Gola Rainforest Birdwatching
One of West Africa's best birding destinations. 330+ species, guided trails, and lodge accommodation.
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Safety & Health
Honest, practical information so you can travel with confidence.
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Sierra Leone Safety Guide
Real safety situation in 2026: which areas are fine, what to avoid, petty crime, traffic, and common scams.
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Health & Medical Guide
Vaccinations needed, malaria prevention, hospitals in Freetown, pharmacies, travel insurance — what to sort before you go.
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Rainy vs Dry Season
When to come, what to expect in each season, how rain affects roads, beaches, and travel logistics.
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Sierra Leone Packing List
What to bring, what to leave behind, what to buy locally — the definitive packing checklist for Sierra Leone.
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Expat & NGO Living
For long-stay visitors, aid workers, and remote workers.
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NGO & Expat Living Guide
Housing, work permits, banking, schools, expat community, and what life actually looks like in Freetown long-term.
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Remote Work in Sierra Leone
Internet speed reality, best cafés with WiFi, coworking options, timezone considerations, and cost of living.
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Krio Language Guide
Learn the basics of Krio — greetings, market phrases, numbers, and expressions that locals will love you for using.
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Sending Money to Sierra Leone
Orange Money, Western Union, Wise, cash — the cheapest and fastest ways to send or receive money in 2026.
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Food, Culture & History
Understand the country you're visiting.
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Sierra Leone Food Guide
Plasas, jollof rice, groundnut soup, cassava leaf — what to eat, where to eat it, and what to avoid.
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Best Restaurants in Freetown
From rooftop bars to beach grills to hole-in-the-wall local spots — the best places to eat in Freetown 2026.
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Sierra Leone History Guide
From the Province of Freedom to independence to civil war recovery — the history every visitor should know.
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Things to Do in Freetown
Markets, Cotton Tree, beaches, football, live music, excursions — a full Freetown activity guide.
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