Sierra Leone Travel Vaccines and Advice
Sierra Leone, long besieged by civil wars, has become a tourist hotspot. The country is now defined by its calm aura, long sandy beaches conducive to water activities, swimming and idleness. Its exotic trees and high mountains will also seduce you. The best time to visit is the month of April when it rains less, and the sun shines the brightest. In order to make some cultural and historical discoveries, you should visit St. George’s Cathedral, Maroon Church and the National Museum. Change the scenery by taking a boat trip from Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
Recommended travel vaccinations for Sierra Leone
| Vaccine | Disease Transmission |
|---|---|
| Traveler’s diarrhea | Contaminated water/food |
| Cholera | |
| Typhoid | |
| Hepatitis A | |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated body fluids (blood, sex, razors, needles, etc.) |
| Rabies | Infected Animals |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito bites |
| Influenza | Airborne Droplets |
Recommended Medication for Travelling to Sierra Leone
| Medication | Additional Information |
|---|---|
| Azithromycin or Suprax | Antibiotic in case of traveler’s diarrhea |
| Malarone, Doxycycline or Mefloquine | Recommended anti-malaria medication |
Current Weather in Sierra Leone
Medical Care in Sierra Leone
The quality of medical care in Sierra Leone remains inadequate and is almost impossible to access in remote areas. Public health facilities use medical equipment which is often insufficiently sterilized. If you require medical attention, seek treatment from the Princess Memorial Hospital in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. It is also possible to go to a nearby neighbourhood Goderich, which offers an emergency hospital. Be aware that if you contract a serious disease which requires specialised care, you will need to be medically evacuated.
Pharmacies are rare and poorly stocked, and therefore you will find it difficult to access drugs and medical supplies. You will need to bring a first aid kit with you if you make a visit to Sierra Leone.
For medical assistance, dial 999.
Is Sierra Leone Safe for Travel?
| Safety and Security | Descriptive |
|---|---|
| Crime | Risk present |
| Demonstrations | Risk of violence |
| Road safety | Secondary roads are in poor condition |
| Fraud | Risk present |
| Border areas | Caution required |
| Health | Polio and Lassa Fever warning |
| Risk level | High degree of caution |
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Sierra Leone?
Prior to travel, make sure you check with your transportation company about any passport requirements. This is important as in some cases their regulations on passport validity may be more strict than those of the destination country.
Both, a visa and a passport are required to enter Sierra Leone. The passport must be valid upon your entry.
Please click here for more information.
Embassy of Canada to Sierra Leone information
When travelling to another country, it is important to know where the Canadian embassy is located in the event of:
- A legal problem
- A lost passport
- The need to report a crime
It is advisable to make a copy of your original passport in case you lose it.
Canadian High Commission to Ghana (ACCRA)
Street Address:
42 Independence Avenue,
Accra, Ghana
Tel.: 233 (302) 21 15 21 / 233 (302) 22 85 55
Fax: 233 (302) 21 15 23 or 77 37 92
Email: [email protected]
Please note that this is the website for the Canadian High Commission in Ghana. There is no Canadian government office in Sierra Leone.