If you are an aid worker, humanitarian professional or NGO coordinator arriving in Sierra Leone for the first time, Lungi Airport and its surroundings can feel disorienting. This guide covers every practical step from landing to starting work.
Step 1: Immigration and Arrival
Lungi International Airport (IATA: FNA) is small by international standards. Immigration queues can be 30–90 minutes during busy periods (morning arrivals from Europe and Middle East). Have your documents ready:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
- Return ticket or onward travel
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
- Visa or visa-on-arrival documentation (check requirements for your nationality)
- Organisation letter or NGO credentials if applicable
Step 2: SIM Card at the Airport
Get a local SIM card immediately at the airport. All three major networks have kiosks inside or immediately outside the terminal:
| Network | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Africell | Lungi, Freetown, major towns | Data speed — 4G in Freetown and Lungi |
| Orange Sierra Leone | Nationwide including rural | Widest rural coverage for field work |
| Qcell | Urban areas | Voice calls |
A SIM card costs approximately NL 5,000–10,000 with initial data bundle. Get Africell for best data speed in Lungi and Freetown.
Step 3: Accommodation Near Lungi Airport
Hariom Yogi Guest House is the only accommodation directly opposite Lungi International Airport — a 2-minute walk from the terminal. This eliminates the need for any transport on arrival night, especially after late flights.
- 9 rooms with private bathrooms
- 24/7 generator power — no blackouts
- Free WiFi (Africell fiber)
- On-site Indian and continental restaurant
- Official invoicing with TIN 1001471253 for expense claims
- NGO group rates for teams of 3 or more
- Monthly account facilities for ongoing missions
Step 4: Getting to Freetown
The Lungi-Freetown crossing is one of the most discussed logistics challenges in Sierra Leone. Options:
- Seacoach / Hovercraft — Fastest (30 min), 0–15. Runs 7am–7pm.
- Car ferry — Cheapest for vehicles. 45–90 min crossing. Unreliable schedule.
- Helicopter — 10 minutes, 0–120. Limited seats, book in advance.
- Road (via Makeni) — 5–6 hours overland. Only if crossing is suspended.
Step 5: Forex and Cash
SaloneKart's forex and cash advance services are available at Yogi Guest House and via WhatsApp delivery. For NGO teams, we offer:
- Bulk USD to Leones exchange at preferential rates
- Cash advance against corporate Visa/Mastercard
- Monthly forex account with statements for finance teams
- USD, GBP, EUR accepted
Step 6: SaloneKart NGO Account
SaloneKart offers a consolidated NGO account covering accommodation, food delivery, taxi, courier, and forex — one WhatsApp relationship, one monthly invoice, one point of contact. Teams from Medicos Del Mundo, EHAS and UN-affiliated organisations currently use this service.
Organising a Mission to Sierra Leone?
WhatsApp us your team size, arrival date and requirements. We arrange accommodation, airport pickup, forex, transport and food — coordinated before you land.
WhatsApp NGO CoordinatorView Yogi Guest House →Yes. Lungi Airport and the surrounding area are safe. Sierra Leone has maintained peace since 2002. Exercise normal urban precautions — don't display expensive equipment, use vetted transport.
Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Lungi Airport. Check with your country's embassy or Sierra Leone High Commission for your specific nationality and any letter requirements for humanitarian workers.
Yes. Hariom Yogi Guest House provides free Africell fiber WiFi. Coverage is also available via Africell mobile data (4G) throughout Lungi Town.