Similar to the rest of the country, Sierra Leone's capital of
Freetown has a tropical monsoon climate with a rainy season from
May to November, and a dry season from December to April.
Naturally, during the monsoon season rainfall levels are higher and
range between 7-31 inches (177-787mm) per month. Throughout the
year, there is very little variation in Freetown's temperatures,
which range from 74°F (23°C) to 97°F (36°C). However, during the
monsoon season, humidity levels rise considerably. The best time to
visit Freetown is from November to February, when the climate
becomes more comfortable due to the gentle Harmattan trade wind,
which blows down from the Sahara.
Freetown-Lungi International Airport
Location: The airport is situated across the Sierra Leone River
from Freetown, 13 miles (21km) north of the city.
Time: No GMT offset.
Getting to the city:
Travel options from the airport to Freetown are limited.
Currently there is a ferry that crosses the river to the city, or a
route by road which takes about four to six hours and is not
recommended at night. The ferry is the cheapest option, but there
can be long queues (several hours on either end). There is also a
risk of crime and overloading. Passengers are advised not to use
this service alone, or as a foot passenger.
Private boat services are available for the crossing, but
passengers are advised to avoid using the local fishing boats. For
safety reasons, all passengers arriving at the airport at night
should wait until daylight to travel to Freetown; there are several
hotels and guesthouses near the airport, but these need to be
booked early due to high demand.
Car Rental:
No car hire facilities are available at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Water taxis are available for the journey across the estuary to
Freetown. Private chartered speedboats are also available.
Facilities:
Facilities include shops, restaurants, currency exchange and
banking services, a business centre, a prayer room, and ticket
offices for transportation to the city. There are also a few hotels
near the airport.
Parking
There is a parking facility near the terminal.
Public transport in Freetown is somewhat informal. Shared taxis
run along fixed routes and can be hailed on the street; fares are
cheap and it is possible to negotiate a price with the driver.
Travellers can also ask their hotel to call a private taxi for
them. These vehicles are generally more comfortable than the shared
taxis, but also more expensive.
Poda-podas are shared minibus taxis which can easily be found on
every main road in Freetown. The start point and final destination
of the vehicle is displayed in the front window. The travelling
conditions in poda-podas are not very comfortable as drivers often
overload their vehicles and drive quite erratically.
Travellers also have the option of hiring a car in Freetown
which can be arranged through car rental companies. Rental cars in
Sierra Leone generally come with a local driver, which will remove
the stress of dealing with the chaotic driving conditions. People
travelling outside Freetown are advised to hire a 4x4 vehicle,
which will be better equipped to handle rural roads.