Description
Sierra Leone has a large community in the UK, and many trips are family visits to the capital, Bo, Kenema or Makeni, often around Christmas or for weddings and memorial services. Holidaymakers come too, for beaches such as River Number Two and Tokeh, the Banana Islands and the chimpanzee sanctuary in the hills above the capital.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data in Sierra Leone without changing your SIM card. It sits next to your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank codes and calls from home, while the eSIM handles WhatsApp, maps and photos for the family back in Britain.
Choose your Sierra Leone data plan
There are 7 plans for Sierra Leone. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £6.38 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £11.25 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £15.75 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £24.00 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £29.54 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £45.38 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £63.38 |
- Week in the capital: 1GB for 7 days covers WhatsApp messages, maps and a few photos.
- Two-week family visit: 2GB for 15 days for daily messages and some voice calls over WhatsApp.
- Month with relatives: 3GB or 5GB for 30 days for regular video calls home.
- Wedding or event week: unlimited for 3, 5 or 7 days so you can share video and photos without counting.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Sierra Leone.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Sierra Leone
Flights arrive at the international airport at Lungi, which sits across a wide estuary from the capital. Most people cross by water taxi or ferry, or take the long road round. Having data when you land helps you contact whoever is meeting you, book your crossing and share your location.
Signal is usually strongest in the capital and the larger towns. It can be weak or absent on rural roads, in the provinces and on the islands, so download offline maps and keep important numbers saved on your phone before you travel upcountry.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Sierra Leone, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Sierra Leone and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Sierra Leone only: the plan does not cover Guinea or Liberia. Ask us if your trip includes either.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Guinea, Liberia and Guinea-Bissau. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have data on the water taxi from Lungi?
Usually for much of the crossing, but signal can drop on the water. Message your contact before you board.
Will it work in my family's village upcountry?
It may, but coverage outside the main towns varies. If you are unsure, ask relatives how their phones work there.
When should I buy my Sierra Leone eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
