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VISA
You cannot get directly at the airport, but anyway
providing the yellow fever certifiacte and the copy
of the flight tickets I got a 3 months multiple
entry visa for 150euro from the Italian consulate
in 3 days.
MONEY
The Guinea Francis the local currency
and the chance ratio at the time of the travel (Dec07)
was:
1 USD= 4100 GNF. (buying GNF)
1 EURO= 6100 GNF (buying GNF)
You can change money almost everywhere and you can
pay bigger amounts (ie accommodation) directly in
$, but you risk to be cheated with the change ratio
HEALTH
The yellow fever certificate is mandatory
to get the visa. I had it attached to the passport
so I cannot say if they border guards really require
it. Anyway I wouldnt' see the point to take the risk
to travel without being vaccinatinated.
I took Lariam against Malaria. Be aware that it's
a risky country as concerns Malaria, on the other
hands if you travel in the dry season (Nov- April),
having a mosquito net, wearing long pants, long sleeve
shirts and abounding with insect repellent you can
avoid the famigerated Lariam profilassys.
Take into consideration to buy Malarone instead of
Lariam, although it's a daily dose (Lariam weekly)
and more expensive, it doesn't give Lariam side effects.
If you r gonna staying for a long period in the country,
obviously you have to do your counts among risks,
money and side-effects!
Morevover I had the usual vaccinations: Ephatite A,
B, Typhus, Tetanus, Meningitis.
I hadn't any problem with the food or the drinks,
never drinking tap water, obviously.
GENERAL
TIPS
Bottle water
Always check if the bottle is well sealed. Twice
it happened to me to get an already opened bottle,
I guess they refill with normal water.
Generators
If you r sensitive to the night noises, take into
account the position of the generator choising your
room. Nertheless your window can probably be next
to the neighbour generators, so ear plugs could be
the only solution
Guide and info
The best source of info I found is the Sierra Leone
section of the West Africa 6th edition, 2006 Lonely
Planet; it's 30 well done pages. Also the 14 pages
of the Africa 2007 Lonely Planet are concentrated
but fundamental. Then it comes the TT
forum, essential to be updated about the safety
in the country
Bribes
Bribes from soldiers at the check points turned
out to be not so bad as I thought. For sure border
points are the shittest places from this point of
view (from every point of view) but keep always some
change with you. Corrupted soldiers don't give change
:-)
On taxi de brousse
Avoid seating in the front row, since it means both
to be packed with other 4 people (4 NOT 3!) and in
case of car crash (probable!), you will be the first
to be shot outside the car, passing trought the windshield.
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