Packing list for Sierra Leone, travel insurance for Sierra Leone and taking your belongings

What to take to Sierra Leone: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. You need a visa for Sierra Leone. Depending on your nationality, you can apply for an e-visa in advance or arrange a visa on arrival. It is always a good idea to have digital and paper copies of your passport, visa, vaccination certificate and travel insurance. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required on arrival. Bring enough cash; US dollars and local Sierra Leonean leones are the most useful, as card payments are generally not possible (and ATMs may not be available) outside larger towns and cities.
• Clothing: lightweight, loose-fitting clothing such as thin long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. These are useful for protection against mosquitoes, sun and dust. A rain jacket or poncho is useful during the rainy season.
• Shoes: comfortable sneakers or sturdy sandals are sufficient for Freetown and other urban areas. For walks, nature areas and travelling inland, shoes with good grip are useful, especially during the muddy rainy season.
• Toiletries and hygiene: high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser and tissues.
• Packing and protecting your belongings: during the rainy season, a rain cover for your backpack and waterproof bags are really essential. A dry bag is also useful when visiting beaches, islands or nature areas.
• Insects and animals: a good insect repellent, preferably containing picaridin or DEET. A tick remover is useful after walks through tall grass or dense vegetation.
• Sleeping: an impregnated mosquito net if you are staying in basic accommodation. In hotels with air conditioning or good window screens, this is usually not necessary.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: enough of your personal medication, plus ORS, plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medication, hand sanitiser and, optionally, a thermometer.
• Outdoor and useful items: sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a reusable water bottle with a filter and a small daypack.
• Technology and equipment: a universal travel adapter for Type D and G sockets, a power bank and a headlamp.
• Safety and theft: bring as few valuables as possible and avoid conspicuous jewelry. It is recommended to divide your cash between different places. Photographing military installations, government buildings, prisons, or other official locations is prohibited.

To consider:

• A few vegetarian or vegan snacks or bars for longer journeys.
• A water filter or purification tablets for traveling outside the cities.
• Binoculars for birds and wildlife.
• A buff for protection against sun, dust and insects.
• An offline translation app or dictionary, especially when travelling outside English-speaking areas.
• A small amount of laundry detergent for washing clothes by hand while travelling.

Are there mosquitoes in Sierra Leone?

• Sierra Leone is a paradise for mosquitoes. The risk of malaria is high, as is the risk of other diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and zika. Malaria mosquitoes are mainly active from dusk until morning, while some other mosquitoes bite during the day. Mosquito protection is therefore important throughout the day.
• Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, lightweight long clothing, and sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net or in a well-screened room are the best ways to protect yourself.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Sierra Leone?

• Sandflies occur in Sierra Leone, but there have been no confirmed reports of leishmaniasis in the country.
• For travellers, mosquitoes are therefore generally a more important concern, although sandfly bites can still be unpleasant. Fortunately, long clothing and insect repellent can also help protect against sandflies.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Sierra Leone?

• Insect repellents can be found in Freetown and larger towns, but the range and strength available are likely to be more limited than at home. Outside larger cities, it may be difficult to find any specific product.
• Bringing enough DEET or picaridin with you is therefore sensible, especially if you are travelling to nature areas or remote parts of the country.
• More about DEET.

Is it legal to buy a beer or wine in Sierra Leone or bring it with you to Sierra Leone?

• It is legal to buy beer or wine and it is allowed to bring alcohol with you to Sierra Leone within reasonable limits.
• Alcohol is legal, widely available, and served in restaurants, bars, and shops.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Sierra Leone, or bring it with you to Sierra Leone?

• No. Cannabis and other drugs are strictly prohibited in Sierra Leone and possession, use, sale and importation can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment.