Climate and Weather of Sierra Leone
A small West African country blessed with picturesque beaches, mesmerizing landscapes, and hospitable people, the tropical country of Sierra Leone is your gateway to the exotic West African travel experience.Named after the Lion Mountains situated in the country itself, Sierra Leone’s claim to fame ranges from its reputation as a natural haven for chimpanzees, as well as its extensive reservoir of some of the world’s prestigious stones for commercial use which is deeply rooted in the country’s history, alongside neighboring country Liberia, as a country of emancipated slaves back in time. Sierra Leone was one of the African countries where the slave trade was most prevalent between the 16th and 19th centuries, as evidenced by European fortresses in the country.
At present, Sierra Leone’s breathtaking savannas and biodiversity captivate tourists, immersing themselves in the phenomenal national parks and sanctuaries the country has in store. Sierra Leone has four physical regions—the Sierra Leone peninsula, the coastal swamp, the interior plains, and the mountainous region, where Mount Bintumani is located with a towering altitude of 1,945 meters. Rivers likewise pass through Sierra Leonean territory from the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea and flow from northeast to southwest through the country.
April is Sierra Leone’s warmest month, while August is the coldest. The average maximum temperature in April ranges around 31°C in Freetown. On the other hand, August brings cooler, mellow temperatures with an average maximum temperature of 29°C in Freetown.
In terms of average precipitation, rainfall in Sierra Leone is usually 4451 mm a year. July is Sierra Leone’s wettest month, while February is the driest. Average precipitation in Sierra Leone for the month of February is 7 mm in Freetown while the wettest month July sees huge quantities of rain with 1198 mm.
How many seasons does Sierra Leone have?
Sierra Leone has a tropical climate characterized by both dry and rainy seasons, similar to nearby West African countries. Rainy season in the country often causes inclement weather, flooding, torrential rainfall, and landslides. This poses challenges to traveling across Sierra Leone's attractions and makes roads impassable. It is therefore recommended that travelers adapt their itinerary according to weather forecasts.
What natural tourist attractions in Sierra Leone are worth visiting?
Sierra Leone is known for its spectacular, peninsular beaches. Despite its name, River Number 2 is one of the most white sandy enclaves in the whole country, and is backed by lush tree-covered mountains that slope down to the sea. There, travelers are free to play in the shallow current of the river before the white sand meets the sea, sunbathe, take a guided walk through the forest, and chat with friendly Sierra Leonean locals accustomed to tourism.
Another attraction worth visiting is Koidu, specifically where the Outamba Kilimi National Park opens its doors to adventure junkies. Travelers would have to take a ride to Outamba Kilimi National Park, the first to be declared as such in the country, and be mesmerized with all the wildlife of Sierra Leone along the way. Travelers would also cross the river to the national park where a mixed landscape of hills, grasslands, rain forests and rivers await travelers. Touring around the expanse of the Outamba Kilimi National Park can be done on foot and by boat.
When is the best time to visit Sierra Leone?
The climate is tropical, although it could be classified as a monsoon climate, but also as a transitional climate between an equatorial climate and a tropical Savannah climate. There are two seasons: a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from December to May, which includes the Harmattan wind when dry winds blow in from the Sahara Desert. With this information, the best time to travel to Sierra Leone is from October to April.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Sierra Leone?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.