Safety in Sierra Leone: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 9 June 2026.
Safety
- Social tensions — Sporadic tensions come out of the hard economic situation and high youth unemployment, and they periodically spill into violence and clashes. Avoid gatherings and follow the instructions local authorities give.
- Terrorism — The country is exposed like anywhere else, and incidents linked to the instability of the Sahel, where terrorist groups operate, cannot be ruled out.
- Rains May to November — Rainfall is heavy, especially between May and November, and has caused deaths and extensive material damage on several occasions.
- Coast — Do not walk along the beaches alone or after dark. Take great care swimming because of strong currents and tides.
- Keep valuables hidden — Do not display cash or valuables.
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.