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Liberia is a place that should become a tourist hub now that the troubles it had is something of the past.
There is still a criminal problem and most of the perpetrators are armed, but fortunately they mostly target the local population and leave the tourists alone. There have however been incidents of tourists falling victim to violent crimes such as sexual assault and murder.
Crime normally happens during the night, made easier due to the lack of electricity in many parts of the capital. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and petty crimes normally happen in overcrowded places, especially at local bazaars.
Demonstrations take place from time to time and should be avoided by visitors to the country.
A couple of Liberian officials have been caught trying and soliciting bribes as arriving passengers go through customs at airports. Police officers and other government officials can also try to solicit bribes and cause severe problems for tourists if they refuse to pay them bribes.
If an official approach you with such a request, you can ask for a signed receipt to present to your local embassy for the money you have to pay. This can discourage them from soliciting bribes.
Although the country has not had another flare up of the Ebola virus since 2016, tourists should still be aware of a possible resurgence of the virus.
The rainy season occurs from May until November. Heavy rains may result in localised flash flooding and roads may become obstructed in affected areas.
During the dry season, which occurs from December until March, the country is affected by the harmattan, a recurrent wind that blows large amounts of sand and dust from the Sahara into the air that severely limits visibility.
Exercise increased caution throughout Monrovia and the countryside.
Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.
Some crimes do occur in hotels, so take precautions when using a hotel safe and hide your money from prying eyes.
Keep your doors and windows locked at night.
Keep a little cash in your purse or wallet on you and conceal the rest. Make sure you don’t wear it in a place that is easily pickpocketed or seen.
When going to the beach, do not leave your clothes or items out of sight.
Keep photocopies of important documents in a hotel safe or a secure place.
Be vigilant in restaurant or bars if you are carrying a handbag. Do not put it out of sight behind you or at your feet.
Notify the police if you do get robbed. You will have to show them a copy of your insurance documents. Make sure you get a copy of the police report.
Do not leave valuables or bags unattended.
Avoid displaying signs of wealth in public. Dress inconspicuously and do not wear striking jewellery.
If you want to travel to Liberia to meet someone you have met online, you may be the victim of a scam.
Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. Even peaceful demonstrations can quickly turn violent.
Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Watch the local news for any information about ongoing demonstrations.
The coastal waters can be dangerous due to riptides which are common. Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities.
There is no landline telephone system in the country. Mobile telecommunications exist in Monrovia and other major towns, but most remote areas and stretches of road between major towns have no cell phone coverage.
Public transportation is not advised to be used in the country. Do not use the taxis, buses, motorbike taxis or other forms of transportation.
Most of this transportation practise dangerous driving tactics. In rural areas public transportation is limited.
If you intend to drive yourself, you should carry an international driving permit at all times.
The use of a seatbelt is mandatory.
The road conditions are in a bad state of disrepair. Road accidents are common, and drivers tend to display extreme amounts of aggressiveness on the roads.
If a convoy carrying government officials are driving towards you, you must pull over to the side and turn off your headlights. The convoy travel at high speeds and you must wait for them to pass before you can continue on your journey.
Most of the roads outside the capital city are gravel roads and poorly lit. Road conditions deteriorate significantly during rainy season. Many areas become inaccessible even with a four- wheel drive.
Cattle and other livestock, pedestrians, and badly maintained vehicles pose further risks on the roads.
You should make transportation arrangements before you arrive for the duration of your trip.
Avoid driving and rather arrange a driver with a reputable tour operator.
Rather rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle and avoid travelling at night. There are no working traffic lights and most roads are unlit.
In the event of an accident, exercise extreme caution. Crowds tend to form around accidents, and they can become violent.
Fuel shortages are common. Make sure you have enough extra fuel if you travel to remote areas.
Photographing military installations, air and seaports, and important government buildings is prohibited. You should not take photographs of sites or activities that may be considered sensitive, as police may confiscate the camera.
Possession of pornographic material is illegal.
Liberian law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Homosexuality is not socially tolerated. Same sex couples visiting the country should exercise extreme discretion in public and also when making hotel bookings.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Do not offer to carry a package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.
Tourists are permitted to bring the following duty free into the country: Â 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g tobacco.
The import and export of rough diamonds are subject to strict international trade laws. Penalties for illegally exporting diamonds include imprisonment.
Always keep a copy of your passport with you at all times. If you do lose your passport, report it to your nearest police station and get a copy of the police report. Also report it to your nearest embassy to obtain another passport.
Government run medical facilities and emergency services are poor in Monrovia and generally unavailable outside the capital.
Private medical services are available but can be very expensive. Medicines can become scarce.
Tourists requiring medical assistance for any serious illnesses, or who are involved in accidents, could require medical evacuation.
Make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical evacuations from Liberia as well as hospital stays.
Malaria and yellow fever are widespread throughout the country. Yellow fever immunisation is required to enter Liberia.
WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Liberia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
Malaria is a common problem in Liberia. Travellers must start taking anti-malaria medication before and continue during the journey. Make sure you have taken enough medication for the duration of your trip. Also take lots of insect repellent with you.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Symptoms can be flu-like or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe with a high fever, profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle pain and bloody stools.
Liberia had an outbreak of the virus in 2016. The virus causes fever, body aches, and diarrhoea, and sometimes bleeding inside and outside the body.
As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.
Travellers need to have a yellow fever vaccination before arriving in Liberia. Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are similar to malaria, ranging from flu-like chills and fever to server hepatitis and jaundice. If left untreated or not diagnosed early, the disease is life-threatening.
Tap water in Liberia is not safe to drink. Drink bottled water and beverages. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to possible contamination.
Cholera is a severe form of diarrhoea and it can be fatal. Get to your nearest hospital or clinic if you have symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, chills and fever. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholera.
Rabies can be found in dogs, bats and other mammals in Liberia which is life threatening. Don’t go near pets or stray dogs or cats in Liberia. The animals may bite and scratch you.
Heat exhaustion is a common problem, especially among tourists that come from cooler climates. Symptoms include a bad headache, dizziness, vomiting and extreme tiredness. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of bottled water or beverages. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen lotion to prevent yourself from getting sunburn.
Chronic dehydration makes you feel weak, tired, and lightheaded and increases your risk of developing kidney stones. Move into a cool area or room and elevate your feet and legs. Drink lots of fluids until your body temperature drops. Seek medical treatment if the symptoms persist
HIV and Aids is still a prevalent problem in the country and throughout the African continent. The disease is spread through sexual contact or shared blood or contaminated medical equipment. Avoid the risk by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday. If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.
Women travelling alone could be subjected to forms of harassment and verbal abuse. If you do travel alone, do not wear skimpy clothing. Do not go out alone at night. Avoid walking in secluded places. Do not accept drinks from strangers.
Since the beginning of 2020 visitors to any country should be aware of and help to avoid the spreading of the coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitiser as often as possible, since it can eliminate the virus if it is on your hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or a tissue when coughing and sneezing, and discard tissues into a closed bin immediately, then clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Sneezing or coughing into your hands may contaminate objects or people that you touch.
Maintain a fair distance between yourself and other people, since coughs or sneezes from infected people may project droplets containing the virus.
If you experience some fever, cough and difficulty of breathing, immediately seek medical care.
Always practice general hygiene measures, but especially when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets. Wash your hands with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products.
Strictly avoid any contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities and avoid consumption of any raw or undercooked animal products. You should even handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Liberia We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Liberia who make safety a priority.
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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).