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Introduction
Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone (in English: Republic of Sierra Leone) is a country of Africa western. It limits the north with Guinea, to the southeast with Liberia and to the southwest with the Atlantic Ocean. A major slave trade center during the 18th century, Sierra Leone was turned into a haven for freed slaves the following century. A bloody civil war made Sierra Leone one of the poorest countries in the world, slowly beginning to recover a decade ago.
Understand
Sierra Leone was founded as a colony of freed slaves originating from the British Empire.
Sierra Leone achieved its independence from Great Britain in 1961. Since the end of its civil war in 2002, the government, with considerable international assistance, has made notable improvements to the country's infrastructure that should help the tourism sector: most of the roads Main are paved for a high-level hydroelectric dam and Bumbuna supplies electricity when water levels are high enough (completed in 2009). While the government sector is still chronically under-resourced, the private sector is booming.
In 2014, the Ebola virus outbreak, which crossed the border from Guinea, threatened to delay improvements in the country's economy and development. More than a year of development was lost as the country focused on fighting the disease. The visits of tourists and foreign businessmen are just beginning again. The country is now considered to be completely free of the virus.
Ground
| Capital | Freetown |
| Currency | Sierra Leone Leone (SLL) |
| Population | 7.5 million (2017) |
| Electricity | 230 volts / 50 hertz (AC plugs and sockets: British and related types, BS 1363) |
| Country code | 232 |
| Time zone | UTC ± 00: 00 |
| Emergencies | 999 (fire department, emergency medical services), 019 (police) |
| Driving side | straight |
| edit on Wikidata | |
History
In 1462, Pedro de Cintra mapped the hills surrounding what is now called Sierra Leone, naming the mountain strangely, Lion Mountains .
Regions
Cities
- Freetown - capital city in the western part of the country
- Bo - second largest city and capital of the southern region
- Bonthe - A former administrative town on Sherbro Island, now quiet and in charming ruin
- Kabbalah: an isolated village in the northern hills
- Kailahun: district capital and easternmost city
- Kenema: major city in the eastern part of the country
- Koidu: another city in the east, capital of the Kono district, diamond miner
- Makeni: fast developing city in the north
- Magburaka - Former capital of the northern region and end of the defunct railway branch
- Port Loko: near mining areas and on the main highway to Guinea
Other destinations
- Banana islands- Sierra Leone's premier tourist spot with the idyllic setting of unspoiled tropical islands
- Mount Bintumani: the highest peak between Morocco and Cameroon
Context
The country has a coastal mangrove belt with forested hills, plateaus, and mountains to the east. The highest point is Loma Mansa (Bintimani) at 1,948 m. It has 402 km (250 miles) of coastline.
From an approximate 100 km (62 mi) long coastal belt of lowlands, the country rises to a mountainous plateau near the eastern border that rises from 1,200 m (3,900 ft) to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) with a important timber forest region.
The peninsula, on which the capital and main commercial center of Freetown is located, is 40 km (25 miles) long and 17 km (11 miles) wide with a mountainous interior.
Culture
Sierra Leone is home to 16 different ethnic groups, each with its own language. There are no precise figures on the religious composition of Sierra Leone. Most visitors will see that there is an almost equal balance between Muslims and Christians. Like other West African countries, there is a long history of religious tolerance and cooperation between religions. Indigenous beliefs are also common, particularly in more rural areas. A significant portion of the population believes in witchcraft and this has certainly hampered improvements in medical care and disease control. The 2014 Ebola outbreak was reported to have gotten much worse because people believed it was caused by witchcraft rather than seeking proper medical treatment.
Festivals
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar and lasts between 29 and 30 days. Muslims fast every day for its duration and most restaurants will be closed until the evening breaks. Nothing (including water and cigarettes) is supposed to pass the lips from sunrise to sunset. Non-Muslims are exempt from this, but should still refrain from eating or drinking in public as this is considered very rude. Working hours are also reduced in the business world. The exact dates of Ramadan depend on local astronomical observations and may vary somewhat from country to country. Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which can last several days, generally three in most countries.
- April 13 - May 12, 2021 (1442 d . H.)
- April 2 - May 1, 2022 (1443 d . H.)
- March 23 - April 20, 2023 (1444 d . H.)
- March 11 - April 9, 2024 (1445 d . H.)
If you plan to travel to Sierra Leone during Ramadan, consider reading Travel During Ramadan.
Weather
Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity. Night temperatures rarely drop below 24 ° C and daytime temperatures reach 30 ° C throughout the year. From October to March, the weather is generally dry with many sunny, hot and pleasant days. April to September is the rainy season. Rain increases to a peak in July and August and then decreases until the rain has almost stopped in November.
Time zone
UTC ± 00: 00
Electricity
Electricity is 220V / 50Hz. Plugs are British standard. Supplies are not reliable, but some parts of Freetown now have a reasonable supply. The Bumbuna Dam hydroelectric project was launched on November 6, 2009, which in theory provides up to 50 MW of electricity to the capital, however this even with additional thermal energy does not meet the rapidly increasing demand. Away from Freetown, the power grid is only available at Lungi (airport), Bo, Makeni and Kenema and comes and goes unpredictably. Koidu has a new power plant under construction.
Talk
English is the official language, but Krio is the lingua franca: a Creole with vocabulary derived from English, Yoruba, Igbo and, to a lesser extent, from Portuguese and French. The Krios minority, who live mainly on the Freetown Peninsula, take English as a second language, while the Temnes, Mendes and other groups have their languages occupied with Krio as a second language. This makes getting around the peninsula easy enough for English speakers, but the rest of the country is more or less the exclusive land of Krio. While Krio's vocabulary is predominantly English, it is not intelligible to an average English speaker, although you may be able to follow a bit if you know some basic vocabulary.
In the provinces, Mende is the main vernacular in the south and Temne is the main vernacular in the north; Regular use of Krio is mostly limited to provincial cities.
To get
By plane
To travel to Sierra Leone, there are so far, there are two options: via London (England) and via Brussels (Belgium) directly to Lungi International Airport, however leaving Sierra Leone, everything is reversed and everything is much more expensive than getting a little trip to enter that country. That is why it is recommended to have everything back and forth purchased from outside the country and avoid excessive expenses.
For the Lungi International Airport to the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown is chaotic when you do not have mobility experience, it is advisable in the first instance to travel light and take great care of your pockets and / or not carry a considerable amount in your pocket. Change Dollars to the local currency, discretion is recommended to avoid attracting attention. It is only necessary to change at the airport, since you will not find other options, so I consider you to change your dollars minimally to an average of no more than $ 100 dollars and that is all if you are not going to transport yourself by helicopter or other means. Once you are in the capital, you can do it with greater peace of mind and with a better exchange rate. The mobilization from Lungi to Freetown, there are several options, the cheapest is by Ferry, a government service that makes about 3 - 4 departures depending on the intensity of people who are transported and the number of people who arrive to the airport. Other options are by motorboat, helicopter (not recommended in many cases due to the lack of maintenance that is offered apart from being expensive). All of the latter mentioned are of a very high cost for the service they provide, but there is no option either, this combined and coveted by interests much, even political and corruption than that of providing a complete and reliable service.
Boat
Sierra Leone has the third largest natural port in the world and awaits the arrival of cruise ships. Cargo and passenger ships dock at the Queen Elizabeth II Pier, while some passenger / cargo and private vessels can land at Government Wharf in downtown Freetown, arriving most of the time from Conakry and Banjul. Inquiries should be made to freight forwarding agencies.
Travel
In taxi
Pruning-pruning is the Sierra Leonean term for old West African taxis. However, pruning is much less fun than an average mountain taxi, reflecting the relative poverty of the country compared to the rest of the region. The vehicles seem to be stitched together with thread, always almost at the breaking point, six people for every row of three seats, blaring hip hop that turns on and off with the application of the accelerator pedal, I'm never sure who it is sweat, I'm never sure if it'll make the next hill. However, they are really cheap. Intercity trips often cost between 1,500 and 2,500 Lions (in 2017, less than US $ 0.50) and any trip within Freetown only 1,000 Lions. Shared taxis are a bit more comfortable, but still packed to the brim and generally the same price.
On motorcycle
Mototaxi is a very efficient way to get around, with low prices, decent mobility on rough roads, and the ability to avoid traffic. But they are dangerous. And when traveling on dirt roads, you will end up covered in dust, often choking on the things that larger vehicles lift. The driver must wear a helmet and have one to offer the passenger. Yes of course. It is also currently illegal to have more than two people on a motorcycle. So if you have three people on a bike and you are approaching a vehicle check, one person will have to get off and walk through the checkpoint.
Buying your own motorcycle is probably the ideal way to travel independently. Even the worst roads will be passable in the dry season, and you won't have to worry about being hauled by careless drivers. Keep in mind that riding your bike within major cities is dangerous due to crazed traffic, but outside of cities it should be fine as long as you wear a helmet with a visor to protect yourself from dust.
By car
The road network fell into disrepair during the civil war. However, there has been a substantial reconstruction program which means that the main roads to regional cities such as Bo, Kenema and Makeni are in excellent condition. The road to Kabala mostly smooth tarred, with some terribly bumpy patches. The road to Kono / Koidu is for three quarters of tar, but the remaining quarter is in almost dire condition. It means that it takes as long to cover 3/4 of the distance as it does to balance 1/4. The government has planned to improve the last stretch.
The mainland road is good from east of Freetown clockwise around the peninsula to Tokeh. Work has begun on the remaining section of Lumley, but in early 2016 it was completed only from Lumley to Sussex, with the section between No. 2 Beach and Tokeh nearly impassable for all except 4WD and high-rise motorcycles.
Freetown's roads are difficult to characterize. In downtown Freetown, the main roads are mostly smooth and without potholes, having been built with high-quality asphalt a long time ago. Side streets are often a mixture of dirt and gravel, sometimes with large protruding stones, deep crevices, and other potential hazards. Some main access roads are in terrible condition. Wilkinson Road and Spur Road have been rebuilt as two-lane roads. The Hillside Bypass Road is also under construction, which will greatly facilitate east-west transit. Work has also been completed on Regent Road through the mountains, Main Motor Road, Wilberforce, Signal Hill Road, Aberdeen / Sir Samuel Lewis Road and Lumley Beach Road. Ongoing reconstruction works mean that roads may be closed and alternative routes must be used.
Street parking is not allowed on major routes such as Wilkinson Road. This also applies to sidings, where stops are only allowed for a short time. The local police are using wheel clamps that can be applied very quickly. These will require a visit to the local police with 300,000 lions to be released.
Driving while intoxicated was often not taken seriously in the past. The police now have breathalyzers and will test and act against anyone suspected of being drunk while driving. Traffic lights have started to appear in Freetown and are generally observed by drivers.
When you walk, always keep your eyes in front of you - most sidewalks in Freetown have "death traps" - missing cinder blocks that could cause a nasty fall into an open gutter. For this reason, the majority of Freetown residents choose to walk on the street and avoid sidewalks, a major contributing factor to the city's congestion.
Boat
The Sea Coach Express boathouse under the bridge between Aberdeen and Murray Town in Freetown is happy to rent the same speedboats they use for airport transfers to take you up and down the coast and to the Sierra Leone River. If you have a larger group of people, spending $ 300- $ 400 for a day trip to the Banana Islands, Bonthe Island, Turtle Islands, or even a random stretch of long-lost beach might be worth it.
To eat
The main staple of Sierra Leone is rice, often accompanied by soup, that is, stews. These casseroles can include a delicious and often spicy mix of meat, fish, seasonings, vegetables, etc., which often take hours to prepare. There are many good quality restaurants offering a variety of local and international dishes.
The diet of Sierra Leoneans, like that of many African countries, is very healthy. Many tend to eat fresh fruit collected from trees that grow in their homes or freshly picked by market vendors that same day. They also eat seafood, especially in the capital, Freetown, which is located on the Atlantic coast. It is common to go to areas like Lumley Beach where local fishermen can be found pulling nets from the Atlantic full of fish like crabs, lobsters, oysters, snapper and many, many more.
Sierra Leoneans stay healthy by eating many high-fiber plant-based dishes, such as cassava leaves, potato leaves, okra, and more.
To drink
The national brewery Sierra Leone Breweries Limited produces Star beer and, as of October 2013, Mützig premium beer. Star is now available in small and large bottles. Many European beers are also imported. As in many African countries, Guinness is very popular. Soft drinks like Coca Cola and Fanta are produced locally. Wine is available in restaurants and supermarkets, but it can be expensive. Locally made palm wine (called "poyo" in Krio) is very popular throughout Sierra Leone. Be careful with spirits (whiskey, gin, etc.) that are sold in large plastic containers; quality and safety are not certain.
Sleep
There are some high-end hotels / guesthouses in Freetown, including the 4-star Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko. Facilities are very limited in other cities, although improvements are being made. Makeni now has at least one good hotel. There are some nice, very small, resort-style getaways, particularly on Banana Island and Bonthe Island.
Overnight stays in Sierra Leone are quite expensive and similar to what one could spend in the United States, but with fewer amenities. There are guesthouses found in cities of any significant size, usually $ 35-50 for a single room, and they will almost always have a shared bathroom / toilet. Average hotels are around US $ 100-180 for a single room.
The cheapest accommodation in SL is in the villages; ask for the boss (who should speak some Krio if not English) and then ask for a guest house ("guest house" is the correct term in Krio so you will be understood). There is no formal charge associated with the chief's hospitality, but you must "pay your respects" in the morning to the amount of US $ 6 to US $ 8, and then expect to deliver 10,000 leone bills to the guest house keeper, the water manager. fetcher, and at least one other person for some random reason.
Security
Despite the terrible violence of the 1990s, or indeed because of it, Sierra Leone is a very safe country to visit. While shoplifting, purse snatching, and other non-violent crime are a problem in parts of Freetown (and the police are unresponsive), violent crime is extremely rare across the country by international standards, including in the capital.
Corruption is less of a problem than before. There have been somewhat successful campaigns against corruption, with a series of arrests and high-level initiatives to, say, prevent the police from collecting false fines. The Freetown Airport (Lungi) has been renovated and is quite good by African standards.
The usual dangers found in undeveloped sub-Saharan Africa, however, are present: the traffic and the diseases. Traffic accidents are much less common than they are entitled to be, but keep in mind that pruning-pruning Overcrowded and barely hung are death traps that defy physics. Similarly, motorcycle taxis they love speed., with utter disregard for the looming dangers of broken roads, open potholes, cargo trucks lurking in the dust. There have been a small number of very serious accidents involving buses in remote areas. Walking through cities at night is dangerous, not so much for fear of crime, but because poor lighting can lead to a fall, or a driver may not see you on the road. The locals carry cell phones that have flashlights, if yours doesn't, always carry a flashlight.
The dangers associated with tropical diseases are basically neither more nor less than anywhere else in West Africa, but there are no hospitals that come close to Western standards. Malaria is, as usual, the greatest danger, and any foreign visitor traveling without antimalarials and possibly without a mosquito net is risking his or her life.
Drug use, particularly marijuana, is not allowed and the police enforce laws against drug use.