Major city · Sierra Leone
Magburaka
Skip Magburaka unless you have a day free from Makeni; otherwise a quick stop to see the former north capital and old railway remnants.
Magburaka was the former capital of northern Sierra Leone. The town’s main road from Makeni is newly paved, and a few colonial‑era railway buildings remain. With limited attractions, a half‑day visit is enough if you’re already in the north.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SLE
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airports
- Lungi (FNA) · Kabala (KBA)
- 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 guide9 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 Magburaka117 ▾
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 Magburaka, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; keep valuables concealed and avoid isolated streets after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; very basic elsewhere.Sierra Leone-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire and 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 (The country's main gateway, across the estuary from Freetown; road transfer to Magburaka via Makeni, several hours…
- Getting aroundWalk or hire a motorbike taxi; roads in town are asphalted and in good condition.
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 (The country's main gateway, across the estuary from Freetown; road transfer to Magburaka via Makeni, several hours — check) · KBA Kabala Airport (Small airstrip in the north; no scheduled service confirmed — check)
Map of Magburaka
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Aug (23 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Magburaka: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
23 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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
Walk or hire a motorbike taxi; roads in town are asphalted and in good condition.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Makeni
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Paved road south, about 30 min by car or bus
Makeni offers markets and a university campus.
Bo
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Road southeast, about 2 h by car
Longer drive; consider if you have a full day.
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.
Local guesthouses
Basic rooms, often family‑run; book ahead if arriving after 18:00 (check).Basic rooms, often family‑run; book ahead if arriving after 6:00 PM (check).
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
- Le 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Le 25,000–45,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × SLE 5,000 | SLE 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SLE 15 | SLE 15 |
| Motorbike taxi within town (round trip)1 × SLE 2,000 · check | SLE 2,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SLE 702 |
| Trip total≈ SLE 7,717 per person per day, bed included | SLE 7,717 |
Basic amenities, shared bathroom.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (500 ml) | Le 300–600 |
| Local dish (rice & stew) | Le 500–1,200 |
| Taxi (5 km) | Le 1,500–2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited tourist services; confirm accommodation availability.
- Rain can make unpaved outskirts muddy (avoid during rainy months).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MagburakaMagburaka
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire and ambulance118
Embassy
Check nearest Sierra Leone consulate in Freetown for assistance.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Makeni → Magburaka, minibus: about Le 1,200, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Good morning — Hello / Good morning (Good morning)
- How much? — How much? (How much?)
- Where is the market? — Where is the market? (Where is the market?)
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 Magburaka. 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 · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Magburaka
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