Sub Saharan Africa

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance.  This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

You should register with the British High Commission in Freetown as soon as possible after you arrive.  Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Water and Power

Water shortages are frequent.  Networked power is rare, especially outside Freetown; rented accommodation and hotels rely on generators and imported fuel supplies.
 
Language

Many Sierra Leoneans outside the capital do not speak English.

Telephone network

No mobile network covers all of Sierra Leone and several areas, even on main roads, have no mobile reception.  There is no public telephone system outside the Western Area.

Money

Credit cards are not accepted in Sierra Leone and the opportunities to exchange travellers' cheques are limited.  All foreign exchange transactions must be handled through the banks and official exchange offices.  A small number of banks in central Freetown may be prepared to accept credit cards for the purchase of local currency.