Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Freetown's recently revived
Lantern Parade
is a procession of illuminated floats on 26
April, the night before Independence Day.
INTERNET ACCESS
Most of the good hotels, and some of the restaurants listed in the Eating section, offer ac-
cess to wi-fi. Most expats get by with USB pay-as-you-go internet sticks. You can also
pick up internet-ready SIM cards for smartphones and iPads.
MONEY
The most easily exchangeable currencies in Sierra Leone are US dollars, UK pounds and
euros, in that order. Large denominations get the best rates. Forex bureaus (and street
traders, though avoid them unless somebody you trust makes the introduction) invariably
offer better rates than banks.
You can rarely pay with a credit card in Sierra Leone, but some Rokel Commercial
Bank branches give cash advances (up to US$2000) on Visa cards and ProCredit Bank has
ATMs in Freetown that spit out up to US$100 per day for those with Visa credit and debit
cards. Don't rely on them too heavily, as they sometimes don't work.
PRACTICALITIES
»
Electricity
i230V/50Hz. Plugs have three large pins, like the UK.
»
Newspapers
Awoko
and
Concord Times
are the most respected newspapers, though the satirical
Peep
is more
popular
.
»
Magazines
Newsweek
and
BBC Focus On Africa
are sold at supermarkets.
»
TV
Sierra Leone's two TV stations are the government-owned SLBS and the private ABC, both of whose most
popular programming is Nigerian soap operas.
»
Radio
The BBC World Service is heard on 94.3FM and Voice of America on 102.4FM. SKYY (106.6FM)
plays the most local music.
»
Languages
Include English, Krio, Mende and Temne.
POST & TELEPHONE
Cell phone service is good and so popular that landlines are disappearing. SIM cards cost
US$5.
Sierra Leone's regular post is semi-reliable if you send something from Freetown.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Besides the Islamic and Christian holidays, Sierra Leone celebrates New Year's Day (1
January) and Independence Day (27 April).
SAFE TRAVEL
