Africa

Is Sierra Leone safe?

Capital: FreetownEnglishUpdated October 2026

L2Exercise increased caution

Is Sierra Leone safe?

Mostly safe and friendly, but Freetown has theft and occasional unrest. Roads and ferries are risky, and medical care is limited. Avoid demonstrations and the border with Guinea in tense periods.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-09-14.
Homicide rate: 2.2 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 33.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 999.
Solo women: Doable with care; expect attention and persistent offers of help. Use trusted taxis at night and avoid empty beaches after dark.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Armed robbery and mugging in Freetown after dark
Road crashes and overloaded transport
Rip currents on Atlantic beaches
Malaria year-round; limited emergency care

Common scams

Touts at the airport and ferry terminal asking for money
Fake 'guides' demanding fees at beaches and national parks
Advance-fee and romance fraud from online contacts

Laws visitors break by accident

Same-sex acts are criminal under a colonial-era law
Photographing government buildings, the airport and security forces is restricted
Drug offences are prosecuted

Safety by place in Sierra Leone

Place	Safety
Freetown	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Sierra Leone safe for tourists?

Mostly safe and friendly, but Freetown has theft and occasional unrest. Roads and ferries are risky, and medical care is limited. Avoid demonstrations and the border with Guinea in tense periods.

Is Sierra Leone safe for solo female travelers?

Doable with care; expect attention and persistent offers of help. Use trusted taxis at night and avoid empty beaches after dark.

What is the emergency number in Sierra Leone?

Police 999.

Safety by place

FreetownSafety

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.