Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is known for Freetown's mountainous peninsula, Krio culture and the rainforest wildlife of Tiwai Island, best planned for the dry season.
Sierra Leone sits on the Atlantic side of West Africa, with Guinea to the north and east and Liberia to the southeast. Freetown, the capital and largest city, spreads over a mountainous coastal peninsula beside Sierra Leone Harbour. The city is known as the Athens of Africa for its many good schools. The country takes its name from the Lion Mountains near the city.
About 400 km of coastline is fringed in places by mangrove swamps, and the land runs from savannah to rainforest inland. English is the official language, but about 97% of people speak Krio, an English-based creole used as the lingua franca. Gola Rainforest National Park and Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, together the Gowa-Tiwai Complex, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. The rainy season runs May to November. The dry season, December to May, is the easier time to visit, though it is hot and the harmattan winds bring dusty air. Plan several nights in Freetown and at least one trip to the coast or the rainforest.
Five things to know before Sierra Leone
- Get an e-Visa or a visa on arrival
British visitors need a visa. Apply for an e-visa at evisa.sl before you fly, or pay on arrival in US dollars cash; a single entry allows 30 days. Check your own passport. UK entry rules
- Carry your yellow fever certificate
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers entering Sierra Leone. Keep the card with your passport.
- Complete the health form before departure
Travelers fill in an online health form on the Sierra Leone travel health portal within 72 hours before departure and keep the QR code.
- Plan the airport transfer across the estuary
Lungi airport sits across the Sierra Leone River from Freetown. Most travelers take a water taxi; the road around takes several hours.
- Visit in the dry season
November to April is dry and best for beaches and forest trips. July and August are among the wettest months anywhere in West Africa.
Sierra Leone travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The e-Visa, visa on arrival, the health form and yellow fever.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in Sierra Leone from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
Destinations in Sierra Leone
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low25°Dry, harmattanJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, harmattan
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low24°Dry, hotFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, hotMarchClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, humidAprilClear
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- MayRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rains startMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°RainyJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 437 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Very wetJulyRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 869 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°WettestAugustRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 814 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Very wetSeptemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 610 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very wet
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rains easeOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 307 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°DryingNovemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying
- DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°DryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
Average daily high and low in Freetown, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sierra Leone
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Freetown
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°25°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue28°24°76%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Wed29°23°84%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Thu30°24°43%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Fri31°25°41%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sat29°26°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun29°25°90%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.
Updated 05:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 22.87 SLE
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone FAQ
Do I need a visa for Sierra Leone?
British visitors do; other passports should check on the e-visa portal. Apply online before you fly or pay on arrival in US dollars cash.
How do I get from Lungi airport to Freetown?
Most travelers take a water taxi across the estuary. The road route is much longer, so allow several hours if you go by car.
When is the best time to visit Sierra Leone?
November to April, the dry season. From June to September rain is very heavy, especially in July and August.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Sierra Leone?
Yes. A yellow fever certificate is required for all travelers entering the country.
How many days do I need in Sierra Leone?
A week covers Freetown, the peninsula beaches and the Banana Islands. Add two or three days for Tiwai Island in the east.