Rules for overlanding in Sierra Leone
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 9 June 2026.
Which licence you need
- All vehicles — The International Driving Permit recognised in Sierra Leone is the 1949 Geneva convention model, valid for one year. Check what applies to the licence you hold.
An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.
At the wheel
- Go in a 4x4 — The ministry says to move around in an off-road vehicle because road infrastructure is very poor.
- Skip taxis and minibuses — Do not use taxis or minibuses. Arrange journeys only through reliable agencies or people you know.
- Stops outside the capital — Accommodation is thin away from Freetown and Makeni, though it exists in most of the country. The electricity grid is underdeveloped with frequent outages, and hotels generally run generators.
What catches travellers out
- Arrive with cash — The Leone is the official currency, but euros and US dollars are commonly accepted and convertible at banks and official agencies, with a better rate for the dollar. Cards are barely accepted and their use is discouraged because of cloning, and traveller's cheques are rare — bring enough currency for your expenses.
- Drugs — Importing, holding or selling drugs, soft drugs included, carries very heavy sentences served in local prisons.
- Photography — Do not use cameras near government offices, military installations, ports or airports, and in particular during religious ceremonies.
- Local laws and customs — Respect local habits and religious observance, with particular care during Ramadan. Homosexuality is illegal. Public administration and the justice system are still badly degraded by the long civil war.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 9 June 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Sierra Leone before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 9 June 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.