Freetown Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Freetown.
Healthcare System
Sierra Leone's healthcare system is significantly under-resourced with limited facilities, equipment, and medical supplies. Freetown has the best medical facilities in the country, but they still fall well below Western standards. Most serious medical conditions require evacuation to Europe or South Africa.
Hospitals
Emergency Hospital (formerly Connaught Hospital) is the main government facility. Private options include Choithram Memorial Hospital and UMC Kissy Hospital. None meet international standards. For serious conditions, medical evacuation is essential.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are available in Freetown but stock is unreliable and counterfeit medications are a concern. Bring all necessary medications from home, including a full course of antibiotics and antimalarials. Pharmacies include Choithram Pharmacy and various smaller outlets.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage (minimum $100,000) is absolutely essential and should be verified before travel. Confirm your policy covers Sierra Leone specifically.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete medical kit including prescription medications, antibiotics, antimalarials, oral rehydration salts, and first aid supplies
- Start malaria prophylaxis before arrival and continue as directed - malaria is endemic and potentially fatal
- Ensure all routine vaccinations are current plus yellow fever (required), hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies
- Drink only bottled or purified water and avoid ice, raw foods, and street food to prevent waterborne illness
- Register with your embassy upon arrival so they can assist in medical emergencies
- Keep copies of prescriptions and medical records with you
- Consider bringing sterile needles and medical supplies in case of emergency treatment
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft occur, particularly in crowded areas, markets, and beaches. Thieves may work in groups to distract victims.
Road conditions are poor with potholes, lack of street lighting, minimal traffic enforcement, and erratic driving behaviors. Accidents are common and emergency response is limited.
Contaminated water and food cause diarrheal diseases, typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera. Tap water is not safe to drink and food hygiene standards are inconsistent.
Malaria is endemic throughout Freetown and can be fatal if untreated. Dengue fever is also present. Transmission occurs year-round with peaks during rainy season.
Armed robberies can occur, though violent crime against tourists is relatively uncommon. Incidents increase after dark and in isolated areas.
Frequent power cuts affect lighting, security systems, ATMs, and communications. Water supply can also be unreliable.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals approach tourists offering unsolicited help, tours, or directions, then demand payment or lead tourists to overpriced shops where they receive commission. Some may become aggressive if payment is refused.
Scammers claim to run orphanages or schools and request donations or ask tourists to visit facilities that may not be legitimate or may exploit children for tourist sympathy.
Unofficial money changers offer better rates but use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists, provide counterfeit notes, or switch agreed amounts during the transaction.
Taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists or claim meters are broken. Some take unnecessarily long routes or add unexpected fees at the destination.
Vendors at Lumley Beach persistently approach tourists to buy crafts, tours, or services, sometimes becoming aggressive or following tourists who decline.
Individuals pose as police or officials and request to see passports, demand payments for alleged violations, or claim tourists need to pay fees.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival and keep contact details accessible
- Keep photocopies of passport, visa, and important documents separate from originals
- Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in regularly
- Learn a few basic phrases in Krio (local language) to build rapport
- Keep emergency cash in USD or GBP hidden separately from daily money
- Trust your instincts - if something feels unsafe, remove yourself from the situation
- Be aware that photography of government buildings, military sites, and airports is prohibited
Accommodation Safety
- Choose hotels with security guards, generators, and good reviews from recent travelers
- Keep room doors and windows locked at all times, including when inside
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Check that rooms have working locks before accepting them
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors - verify with reception first
- Keep ground floor windows secured and consider requesting upper floor rooms
Transportation Safety
- Avoid motorcycle taxis (okadas) - they have high accident rates
- Use hotel-arranged or recommended taxi services rather than street taxis
- Don't travel between cities after dark due to poor road conditions and robbery risk
- If hiring a car, ensure it includes a local driver familiar with conditions
- Avoid overcrowded poda-podas (minibuses) where pickpocketing is common
- Always wear seatbelts and ensure children are properly secured
- Keep doors locked and windows up while in vehicles
Money and Valuables
- Carry minimal cash and keep it in multiple locations on your person
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- Credit cards are rarely accepted - bring sufficient USD or GBP to exchange
- Don't display expensive jewelry, watches, cameras, or phones unnecessarily
- Be discreet when accessing money belts or hidden pouches
- Keep small denomination notes for daily purchases to avoid showing large amounts
- Photograph valuable items and note serial numbers for insurance purposes
Health Precautions
- Take antimalarial medication exactly as prescribed for the entire course
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET multiple times daily
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizer before eating
- Avoid contact with animals including dogs, monkeys, and bats (rabies risk)
- Don't swim in fresh water (risk of schistosomiasis)
- Seek medical attention immediately for fever, severe diarrhea, or unusual symptoms
- Avoid medical procedures involving needles unless absolutely necessary
Beach Safety
- Visit Lumley Beach and River Number Two Beach during daylight hours only
- Don't leave belongings unattended on beaches
- Be cautious of strong currents and only swim in designated safe areas
- Avoid isolated beaches or walking alone on beaches at dawn or dusk
- Be firm with persistent vendors but remain polite to avoid confrontation
- Don't accept food or drinks from strangers on the beach
Cultural Sensitivity
- Dress modestly, particularly outside beach areas - cover shoulders and knees
- Ask permission before photographing people and respect refusals
- Greet people respectfully - handshakes are common, use right hand only
- Avoid public displays of affection beyond hand-holding
- Remove shoes when entering homes and some buildings
- Be patient with slower pace of service and business - rushing is considered rude
- Respect religious practices and dress conservatively when visiting mosques or churches
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Freetown safely with appropriate precautions, though they may experience unwanted attention, catcalling, and persistent approaches from men. Solo women travelers should be particularly vigilant. Sierra Leonean society is relatively conservative regarding women's dress and behavior. Most harassment is verbal rather than physical, but women should take extra precautions to avoid vulnerable situations.
- Dress conservatively covering shoulders, chest, and knees to minimize unwanted attention
- Avoid walking alone after dark - always use trusted transportation in the evening
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring and mentioning a husband to deflect advances
- Be firm and assertive when declining unwanted attention - don't worry about seeming rude
- Sit in the back seat of taxis and don't share taxis with unknown men
- Keep phone charged and have emergency contacts readily accessible
- Stay in reputable hotels with good security rather than budget guesthouses
- Join group tours rather than hiring individual male guides
- Avoid isolated beaches and quiet areas even during daytime
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers or leaving drinks unattended
- Trust your instincts and remove yourself from uncomfortable situations immediately
- Connect with other travelers or expat women for advice and companionship
- Be aware that local women often face gender-based violence - report any incidents to your embassy
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Sierra Leone under colonial-era laws, with penalties including imprisonment up to life. There are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.
- Do not display any public affection with same-sex partners - this could be dangerous
- Be extremely discreet about sexual orientation and gender identity
- Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics with locals you don't know very well
- Do not attempt to visit LGBTQ+ venues or events as these are underground and risky
- Book hotel rooms as 'friends' rather than couples; request twin beds if possible
- Remove any LGBTQ+ identifiers from social media profiles and devices
- Be aware that local LGBTQ+ individuals face severe persecution and avoid putting them at risk
- Consider whether travel to Sierra Leone is necessary given the significant safety risks
- Have emergency plans and ensure your embassy knows how to contact you
- Be prepared to face intrusive questions about marital status and children
- Do not rely on local authorities for protection if you face discrimination
- Research your home country's ability to provide consular assistance in case of arrest
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with high-limit medical evacuation coverage is absolutely essential for travel to Freetown and should be considered non-negotiable. The local healthcare system cannot handle serious medical emergencies, and medical evacuation to South Africa or Europe can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. Many travelers have faced life-threatening situations due to inadequate insurance. Confirm your policy specifically covers Sierra Leone as some insurers exclude it.
Planning your trip? Make sure you have the right travel insurance for Freetown Safety Guide before you go.