Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Exercise increased cautionExercise a high degree of caution
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Freetown & Western Area
Exercise increased cautionFreetown is the capital and most developed area. Safe for tourism with standard urban awareness.
Avoid: Avoid isolated areas and beaches at night. Some neighborhoods (Kroo Bay, Juba) see petty theft. Tourist-frequented areas (Cape Sierra, Lumley Beach) are generally safe.
Common scams: Overpriced goods at tourist shops; unofficial guides; currency exchange at bad rates.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Northern Region (Makeni, Koinadugu)
Exercise increased cautionThe north is stable and touristically accessible. Makeni is the regional hub.
Avoid: None specific; exercise caution on secondary roads and avoid night travel.
Common scams: Petty theft in markets.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Eastern Region (Kenema, Kailahun)
Exercise increased cautionThe east is less visited but stable. Diamond-mining history informs the landscape.
Avoid: Avoid remote areas and secondary roads after dark.
Common scams: Diamond-buying scams targeting visitors; avoid unofficial dealers.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Southern Peninsula & Beaches
Exercise normal precautionsBeaches south of Freetown (Lumley, Goderich, Tokeh) are accessible and safe.
Avoid: None; standard caution after sunset.
Common scams: Overpriced beachfront meals.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
5 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
Sierra Leone Police
police
UK FCDO gives a single number, 117, covering ambulance, fire and police together. The numbers 119 and 999, both of which circulate for Sierra Leone, are not what the Foreign Office publishes.
SourceAmbulance, via the national emergency line
ambulance
The same 117 line reaches ambulance, fire and police, so say which you need when it connects.
SourceFire service, via the national emergency line
fire
Fire shares the 117 line with police and ambulance, per UK FCDO.
SourceConnaught Government Hospital
hospital · Freetown
The main public referral hospital in Freetown, from the British High Commission list of English-speaking doctors and facilities in Sierra Leone. Emergency Hospital at Goderich on +232 7661 1386 is the surgical hospital on the peninsula and is on the same list, as is Choithrams Memorial at Hill Station on +232 7698 0000.
SourceHospitals outside Freetown
hospital · Bo, Makeni and Lungi
The first number is Kindoya Hospital in Bo and the second Holy Spirit Hospital in Makeni, both from the same British High Commission list. Bai Bureh Memorial Community Hospital at Mahera near Lungi airport is on +232 7665 6124, which is worth noting because Lungi is across the estuary from Freetown and the crossing is not quick.
Source