Get your Health Declaration Form for Sierra Leone Now

Sierra Leone might not be on your radar or maybe you heard about diamonds coming from this country and certain issues around that. Still, this is a country that shouldn’t be missed. Like many African countries, Sierra Leone is fighting its way to becoming the next big destination in West Africa. This is your chance to visit before anybody else and discover this special place. Indigenous African people started to inhabit this land over 2,500 years ago but much of its history was marked by colonization, slave-trading, and civil unrest. After getting independent from the United Kingdom on April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone went into civil war for decades due to ethnic and linguistic differences. After finishing a civil war over 15 years ago and being Ebola-free for three years now, we can say Sierra Leone is a thriving nation with a promising future. Sierra Leone wants you to recognize its great variety of attractions that range from beaches, natural reserves, and historical tourism. In iVisa we want you to feel safe, therefore, if you are thinking of visiting Sierra Leone then you need to follow the health guidelines for international visitors which compromises a Health Declaration Form. COVID-19 is pushing governments to have strict rules to allow entry to visitors. For this reason, make sure you get your medical declaration soon. We will display the most important places to visit around Sierra Leone and give you extra advice to get a smooth entry to this country.

Sierra Leone’s coastline has some beautiful beaches that are still very unknown. John Obey Beach and Bureh Beach are special sites to enjoy some pristine waters and great waves for surfers. If you come during the dry season, make your way to Number Two Beach, the preferred beach during this period. Also, enjoy some seafood in nearby restaurants and contribute to the local economy. Lakka beach is another site just 15 miles from Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. Although it is close to a big city, it is a great getaway if you are looking for a relaxing experience on a spectacular beach. If you are more into hiking, then visit the Lion Mountains. Mount Bintumani is the highest mountain in Sierra Leone and an important peak in all West Africa. If you want something more casual, go to the Kabala Hills and enjoy the magnificent scenery. If you get the chance to visit during New Year’s day, locals say that touching one of the rocks in this area, will give you luck throughout the year.

Now let’s move to the wildlife sanctuaries which are very important to all African countries. Watch some hippos at Outamba-Kilimi wildlife park or go to Mamunto Mayosso and appreciate the birds. You can camp in these locations and have a unique experience under the stars. Also, get to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary which is home for over 80 chimpanzees that were rescued from illegal trafficking. Many of them used to perform in circuses or sold through the black market. The sanctuary gives them a new chance to enjoy the closest to wildlife. Animal lovers must visit this site and we promise an unforgettable experience. Visit the West Area Peninsula where you can visit some Krio architecture. The Krio ethnic group represents 2% of the country’s population and they are descendants of freed slaves. You can visit 19th-century settlements which include ancient Krio houses and churches. This is a site of pride for the local population.

Apart from the mainland, Sierra Leone has nine islands that are yet to be discovered. Many of these sites are pure in vegetation and they seem to have stopped in ancient times. Go to the wildlife sanctuaries in Tiwai or explore a slave fort abandoned a long time ago. You can acquire a guided tour from community members and contribute to the local communities. Visit the Turtle islands which are ruled by fishermen and enjoy swimming in clear waters.

An interesting historical site is the Martello Tower. This place was used as a guard spot for Freetown during the 19th century. This site has served different purposes from artillery for conflicting periods to a water tank that supplied this essential resource during the 1870s. Get an incredible view from the top of the tower and check Freetown from a different perspective.

There is a great combination of religions in Sierra Leone. 60% of people are considered to be Muslims, 30% Christians and 10% believe in ancient traditions. There is plenty of religious tolerance and you don’t see a division between believers. You can even see the popular phrase ‘God Bless Islam’ in most businesses which shows the integration between Islam and Christianity. On the other hand, food is an essential part of Sierra Leone’s lifestyle. Rice is a must in every dish and when visiting the coastline enjoy some fish like snapper or barracuda. Some famous street foods are goat and beef skewers and coconut cakes. Try some of the local drinks like palm wine or the national beer, Star. Fresh coconut water is commonly found on the streets of Freetown and we recommend it if you are craving a non-alcoholic drink. Just in case you want to try some international food, there are plenty of fancy restaurants in Freetown offering international food from neighboring African countries or even have a taste of European dishes.

Sierra Leone is such a dreamy destination in Africa and we are sure you want to visit soon. You must think about the health guidelines in place due to the coronavirus pandemic and follow any announcements from the Health Authority. The Health Declaration Form will allow Sierra Leone government better management of incoming visitors and control the COVID-19 spread. The medical form will probably require personal details, travel history, and current health conditions. Expect to go through a medical screening at any international point of entry so the authorities are sure you don’t have any coronavirus symptoms. You will likely do a 14-day quarantine after arrival, just to keep you and the population safe. There are designated facilities to do the quarantine, so follow government guidelines for your self-isolation. You must keep updated with iVisa about the new changes in health processes to enter Sierra Leone, as these could change at any time. Although we don’t work directly with the Sierra Leone government we are always checking on the new procedures so you have the latest travel process in the iVisa platform. Visit Sierra Leone and enjoy this amazing country, do it by applying to your Health Declaration with iVisa.

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