Travel safety comparison · Africa

Sierra Leone vs Senegal: safety comparison

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Sierra Leone vs Senegal: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Senegal sits a little lower on the Warnely composite score than Sierra Leone (26 against 37), but the gap is small enough that the practical difference comes down to category-by-category detail rather than the headline. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Senegal scores 2/5 against Sierra Leone's 3/5. The US State Department currently carries a Level 2 advisory on Sierra Leone and a Level 1 on Senegal.
🇸🇱Sierra Leone 🇸🇳Senegal
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 37 / 100 26 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Increased Caution Exercise Normal Caution
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions)
Global Peace Index rank #57 #69
Drug law Severe (long sentences) Severe (long sentences)
Women's safety rating Exercise Caution Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status illegal illegal
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency SLE XOF
Full guide

Is Sierra Leone safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Senegal safe to visit in 2026?

Sierra Leone vs Senegal: common questions

Is Sierra Leone or Senegal safer to visit?

Senegal has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 26/100 vs 37/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Sierra Leone or Senegal safer for solo female travellers?

Sierra Leone is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; Senegal is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Sierra Leone and Senegal?

Sierra Leone: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). Senegal: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (US State).

More comparisons

Gambia vs Senegal · Guinea vs Senegal · Mali vs Senegal · Morocco (Western Sahara) vs Senegal · Cape Verde vs Senegal · Cape Verde vs Sierra Leone · Gambia vs Sierra Leone · Guinea vs Sierra Leone

Planning the trip? Check Sierra Leone visa requirements and Senegal visa requirements.

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