Since I did this route by van with a german traveler and I haven’t used public transport, I could not report the experience. I took this report from Karine Prvn, in West Africa travelers group on facebook.
“Border crossing between Sierra Leone and Liberia at Bo Waterside as of Nov 17, 2022.
To go from Freetown to Monrovia, I divided the route into 2 days with an overnighter in Bo.
Here was my precise route:
A. Freetown (Jui Junction) > Bo : 105 SLL (85 SLL + 20 SLL for luggage) in a shared taxi. Excellent road condition, 3-4 hours.
B. In Bo, I stayed at Sahara hotel (the one right next to the Clock Tower, not the other one that was way more rundown) for 130 SLL a night including breakfast. It’s on ioverlander.
The next morning, I asked to be dropped off at the main Taxi station, somewhere called “Chemingo” or something like that (didn’t get the spelling but I know it sounded like “flamingo”). From Sahara hotel to the station by motorbike : 5 SLL.
C. Took a shared taxi to go from Bo > Jendema : 100 SLL paid directly to the syndicate. The car filled up quickly, we were on the road by 9 am.
Just before Jendema, there was a first immigration control checkpoint by the SL authorities. They were really thorough, checked my SL visa and my visa receipt and noted everything down.
D. Arrived in Jendema around 11.30 am, exchanged money there (SLL to LRD, good rate). Walked 5-10 min to the border.
At the border, many check points to leave SL (health checks, baggage search, etc.) and then many more to enter Liberia. In total, it probably took 1 hour to finish the circuit and be released in Bo Waterside, Liberia. People were professional and no attempt of bribery made to me (but many attempts made to my fellow Sierra Leonian companions…)
At Bo Waterside, got a SIM card (500 LRD, official registration with passport and photo) and took another taxi.
E. Shared Taxi BO Waterside > Monrovia : 1100 LRD approx 7$ (initially asked for 1300 LRD but someone negotiated it down).
Left at 1 pm. The first half of the road is in good condition, the second half has pot holes and is dusty. Note that there will be many more checkpoints along the way. Made it to Duala Market around 5 pm.
F. Duala Market > Broad street (downtown Monrovia): 150 LRD by Keke, 200 LRD by motorbike. Lots of traffic by this time of day.
= In total, I left Bo at 9 am that day and made it to my Airbnb in Monrovia at 5 pm. A good day trip. You just need be armed with patience with the many checkpoints, but not bad at all.
