Major city · Sierra Leone
KoiduSefadu
Skip Koidu unless you have a specific reason to visit the diamond region: the town is still recovering from the war, infrastructure is very basic and the journey from Makeni takes 5 hours on a bad dirt road.
Koidu is the centre of Sierra Leone's diamond mining area, but it suffered heavily during the civil war and has not been rebuilt like other towns. Roads are unpaved, accommodation is very basic and electricity is limited. Most travellers should spend their time on the Freetown peninsula, Tiwai Island or the beaches instead.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SLE
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season; road may be impassable)
- Airport
- Lungi (FNA)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Sierra Leone ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Sierra Leone government sources before booking.
- Sierra Leone ↗Book the Lungi–Freetown crossing (water taxi or ferry) before you land, and check how the operator handles late arrivals.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Koidu019 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Koidu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE), redenominated in 2022 (1 new leone = 1,000 old); old prices are still sometimes quoted in thousands.Sierra Leone-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange and Africell sell SIMs with passport registration.Sierra Leone-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Sierra Leone-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.Sierra Leone-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sierra Leone-wide
- SafetyKoidu is a post-conflict town with limited services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; very basic elsewhere.Sierra Leone-wide
- Emergency numbers019 police · 019 fire · 019 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday afternoon prayers and Sunday church slow the city; offices close on all holidays.Sierra Leone-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFNA Lungi International Airport (About 5–6 hours by road from Koidu; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk, but roads are unpaved dirt.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomSLE 165,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomSLE 190,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomSLE 210,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SLE 165,000 · Mid SLE 200,000 · High SLE 250,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FNA Lungi International Airport (About 5–6 hours by road from Koidu; the nearest major airport.)
Map of Koidu
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Aug (25 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Koidu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
19 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
23 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
25 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
22 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk, but roads are unpaved dirt. A 4WD is essential for the approach road from Makeni.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Very limited choice; Uncle Bens Hotel on Benjamin Lane is one of the few options, with basic rooms, electricity 19:00–07:00 and no internet.Very limited choice; Uncle Bens Hotel on Benjamin Lane is one of the few options, with basic rooms, electricity 7:00 PM–7:00 AM and no internet.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SLE 165,000–210,000 (check)
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room1 × 1 night × SLE 165,000 | SLE 165,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SLE 165,000 | SLE 165,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SLE 50,000 |
| Trip total≈ SLE 380,000 per person per day, bed included | SLE 380,000 |
Uncle Bens Hotel; electricity 19:00–07:00, no internet, basic breakfast.
2026 estimate in leones (SLE); very limited accommodation options.
Prices of common things
| Basic guesthouse room per nightcheck | SLE 165,000–210,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The main road from Makeni via Magburaka is in very bad condition after Matotaka; a 4WD is required and the road may be impassable in the rainy season.
- Electricity is limited: most places have power only from 19:00 to 07:00.Electricity is limited: most places have power only from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
- No reliable internet or mobile data in many parts of town.
- Koidu has missed out on post-war reconstruction; expect very basic services.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 019
- Fire
- 019
- Ambulance
- 019
Pocket card
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KoiduSefadu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police019
- Fire019
- Ambulance019
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Koidu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season; road may be impassable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Koidu
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