Sierra Leone / Republic of Sierra Leone – Let’s explore here
What’s it like in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is a fairly small country in western Africa that meets the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about the same size as Ireland, and mainly consists of rainforests, mangrove swamps and lowland savannah grasslands. There are mountains in the north east of the country, and the highest point is Mount Bintumani, at 6,381 ft (1,945 m) above sea level.
It has had a short and turbulent history, involving much political instability, resulting in it being one of the least developed and poorest countries on the planet. It shares land borders with Liberia and Guinea.
The population of Sierra Leone is around 9 million people (2023), about one in six of whom live in the metropolitan area of the capital, Freetown.
A bit about the history of Sierra Leone
Pre-Colonial Era
Before European colonisation, Sierra Leone was inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Mende, Temne and Loko. These groups engaged in regional trade and had organised societies with established political systems.
Colonial Period
Sierra Leone became a British colony in 1808, initially as a settlement for freed enslaved Africans. By 1896, it became a British protectorate, and British rule was maintained through indirect governance. The country was a significant part of the abolitionist movement, with Freetown serving as a key location for resettled freed slaves.
Independence and Early Years
Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain on 27 April 1961, with Milton Margai becoming the first prime minister. Early post-independence years were relatively stable but marked by ethnic tensions, which later led to political instability and military coups.
One-Party State and Civil War
In 1978, Sierra Leone became a one-party state under President Siaka Stevens. The country’s political and economic issues escalated, leading to the outbreak of a brutal civil war in 1991, with the rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF) fighting the government. The war caused widespread devastation and loss of life.
End of the Civil War and Recovery
The civil war ended in 2002 with the help of a UN peacekeeping force. Sierra Leone faced a long recovery process, including addressing the issues surrounding the illegal diamond trade, and began rebuilding its infrastructure and institutions.
Recent Developments
Sierra Leone has made significant strides in recovering from its civil war, but challenges remain. In 2014, the country was hit by the devastating Ebola outbreak, which overwhelmed the healthcare system and further hindered development. The country, however, managed to control the epidemic by 2016. In 2018, Sierra Leone held peaceful elections, which saw Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) elected president. Bio’s government has focused on economic reform, tackling corruption, and improving education and healthcare, as well as making efforts to attract foreign investment.
Sierra Leone in 2025
As of 2025, Sierra Leone is still one of the poorest countries, but significant progress has been made in education, healthcare and infrastructure. The economy remains reliant on mining, but efforts to diversify are ongoing. The government under Julius Maada Bio continues to address corruption, youth unemployment, and regional disparities while maintaining political stability.
Sierra Leone road trip
Our Sierra Leonean road trip is part of a much larger African road trip.
Our planned road trip through Sierra Leone takes us from Guinea towards the capital, Freetown, before heading east to Liberia. No doubt we’ll explore the country much more than this continent-spanning short route shows, in particular checking out the capital and inland Sierra Leone.
Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂
Map of our road trip through Sierra Leone
What’s it like to drive in Sierra Leone?
They drive on the right hand side of the road in Sierra Leone. In the main, roads are very poor, with many being unsurfaced dirt tracks. Driving standards are also poor.
Do you require an international driving permit in Sierra Leone?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Sierra Leone?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Sierra Leone?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
What currency do they use in Sierra Leone?
In Sierra Leone they use the Sierra Leonean leone. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is not widely accepted. Travellers cheques are not generally accepted. There are very few ATMs outside of the capital.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?
They mainly speak Krio in Sierra Leone, although English is also widely spoken, and is the official language.
What time zone is Sierra Leone in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Sierra Leone?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Sierra Leone?
Yes, wild camping is fine in Sierra Leone.
What plug / socket type do they use in Sierra Leone?
In Sierra Leone they use plug / socket types D and G.
Health issues in Sierra Leone
Is it safe to drink water in Sierra Leone?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Sierra Leone. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.
What vaccinations are required for Sierra Leone?
This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in Sierra Leone.
Phones in Sierra Leone
What is the country calling code for Sierra Leone?
The country calling code for Sierra Leone is +232
What are the emergency phone numbers in Sierra Leone?
- The emergency number for police in Sierra Leone is: 019
- In Sierra Leone, the emergency number for ambulance is: 999
- The emergency number for fire in Sierra Leone is: 999
If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!