Sierra Leone

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Sierra Leone for information on U.S. – Sierra Leone relations. 

Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Most main roads in Freetown are navigable, but narrow and often have potholes.  There is limited roadside assistance in country and it is often difficult to find adequate fuel for longer journeys.

Traffic Laws:  Serious accidents are common, especially outside of Freetown, where the relative lack of traffic allows for greater speeds.  The chance of being involved in an accident increases greatly when traveling at night.  In the event of a traffic accident it is important to follow all police instructions.  Often large mobs can form at the scene of an accident and threaten the safety of the driver.

Public Transportation:  Public transport (bus or group taxi) is erratic, unsafe, and not recommended.  Motorcycle taxis are ubiquitous in Freetown and are often the cause of serious accidents.  The U.S. Embassy strongly advises against utilizing these motorcycles.  Pick pocketing is common in public taxis and mini-buses.  U.S. Embassy officials are prohibited from using public transportation or taxis.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Sierra Leone’s national tourist board and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Sierra Leone the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Sierra Leone’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Areas outside Freetown lack basic services.  Travelers are urged to exercise caution especially when venturing beyond the capital. Travel outside the capital after dark is not allowed for U.S. Embassy officials and should be avoided by all travelers.  Emergency response to vehicular and other accidents ranges from slow to nonexistent.

U.S. citizen travelers should maintain security awareness at all times and carry a means of communication at all times (i.e. a fully charged cell phone with emergency contacts).

Crime:  Crime is widespread in Sierra Leone; U.S. citizens have experienced armed mugging, assault, and burglary.  Petty crime and pick-pocketing of wallets, cell phones, and passports are very common, especially on the ferry to and from Lungi International Airport, as well as in the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the Lumley Beach and Aberdeen areas of Freetown. 

The Embassy receives regular reports from U.S. citizens about financial scams.  See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  There is no local number equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Sierra Leone.  Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy at (232) (99) 105 500

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

The U.S. Department of State can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.