Sierra Leone is a generally a safe country to visit. Petty crime is fairly common (most non-violent crime involves acts of pick-pocketing and purse-snatching), while armed robbery, muggings, and assaults are not common. Criminals particularly target visitors at the airport and the traditional markets frequented by foreigners. Stay vigilant, and apply common sense if stuck in a certain situation.
The Police are somewhat ineffective, despite their good intentions for reducing crime. Low salaries and inadequate training contribute to the lack of professionalism of the police. If you are the victim of a crime consult your embassy if the police will not help.
Corruption is widespread - corrupt police sometimes target foreigners for bribes in just about any place in the country. The government is taking measures to reduce corruption and no visitor should attempt to bribe a public official.
It it is not recommended to walk around at night as the lack of lighting can be a problem. Many roads are in horrible condition and Driving standards and vehicle safety are often poor. Care is required as a pedestrian or as a passenger.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Sierra Leone
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Sierra Leone - updated Apr 2024
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Sierra Leone Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
