Sierra Leone Travel Guide

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Top Attractions

GUINEA

IBRD 33478R1 OCTOBER 2018

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GUINEA

Sierra Leone is a largely undiscovered, multi-dimensional destination that offers a range of unique natural, historical, cultural and coastal experiences. Here are some of the top attractions:

Nature

1 Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, close to Freetown, is a 100-acre sanctuary for rescued and rehabilitated orphaned chimpanzees.

2 Gola Rainforest National park is the largest-remaining block of Upper Guinean Forest and home to 49 mammal species (including the pygmy hippo, forest elephant and the world’s second-largest population of Western chimpanzee), 327 bird species and over 200 species of tree.

3 Mount Bintumani, part of the Loma Mountains, is West Africa’s highest mountain and a popular option for keen climbers, hikers and trekkers.

4 The Outamba-Kilimi National Park offers sanctuary to such wildlife as chimpanzee, colobus monkey, sooty mangabey and hippo.

5 The Wara Wara Mountains offer various possibilities for interesting walks and hikes in the hills that spread out to the north-west of Kabala.

The rustic forest escape of 6 Tiwai Island is set deep within Sierra Leone’s Upper Guinea Rainforest on the Moa River and offers visitors the chance to see colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird species.

History

At 7 Bunce Island, the remnants of an 18th-century slave fort stand as a testament to the island’s horrific past as one of West Africa’s most prolific slave-trading centres.

8 Historical sites in Freetown city, related to the journey of the first freed slaves include the majestic 300-year-old cotton

tree, the ruins of Old Fourah Bay College, the Old Wharf Steps and Guard House, St John’s Maroon Church and the Gateway to the King’s Yard, through which almost all rescued slaves passed on their return to Africa.

Guided tours of the 9 Sierra Leone National Museum reveal Sierra Leone’s rich history even before its colonial past and position as a slave trading hub.

Coastline

The Western Peninsula beaches, from 10 Lumley Beach on the edge of Freetown to the 11 Banana Islands, offer beach lovers a choice of beautiful sandy beaches such as 12 River No 2 Beach (run by the local community), 13 Tokeh Black Johnson, 14 Bureh (for surfing), Kent and 15 York.

Further afield Bonthe, 16 Sherbro Island and the 17 Turtle Islands provide for untouched beach relaxation and a fascinating cultural experience, as visitors get to know the tiny fishing communities.

Culture

There are many village and community tourism initiatives to choose from, such as the 18 Rogbonko Village Retreat near Makeni and the Sherbro Island community experience.

Local hikes through the hill villages around Freetown, such as Regent, Bathurst, Leicester (including the 19 Leicester Peak viewpoint and Gloucester allow visitors to experience the old Krio-style houses and reward them with stunning views over the city.

The 20 Big Markit in Freetown is one of the oldest markets in Sierra Leone and today visitors will find an incredible array of arts and crafts for sale, from wooden carvings, drums and jewellery to paintings and woven craft.

Welcome

to Sierra Leone

The best-kept secret in West Africa, Sierra Leone captivates visitors with her vibrant culture, lush rainforests and wildlife reserves.

Find your freedom along her palm-fringed peninsula, in the radiant smiles of her people, or swaying to the beat of the gumbe drums.

Routes to Explore

With so much to discover and explore, visitors can experience the best of Sierra Leone along four extraordinary routes.

Route 1: Mountains and Villages

Freetown --> Makeni --> Kabala --> Kono (300 km)

Start your journey in Sierra Leone’s vibrant capital, which rises up from Africa’s largest natural harbour before spilling out in a colourful cacophony of shops, stalls and street markets.

Learn more about the history of Sierra Leone, enjoy sundowners in the party playground of Lumley Beach, or shop till you drop in Big Markit before heading inland to the bustling trading town of Makeni. Then it’s north to Kabala and the magical Wara Wara Mountains and Mount Bintumani, the highest mountain in West Africa!

Perfect for the active and adventurous, this route offers great opportunities for walking, hiking, and learning more about local life in the surrounding villages.

Highlights include: Outamba Kilimi National Park, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Hydro Waterfall, Lake Sonfon, local art and crafts (for example, tie dying and weaving).

Route 2: Rainforest and Culture

Freetown --> Bo --> Kenema --> Kailahun (310 km)

Visit the 300-year-old Cotton Tree at the centre of Freetown, the Wharf Steps and Old Guard House, and nearby Bunce Island for a fascinating glimpse into the history of Sierra Leone before heading south-east to the diamond centre of Bo. Called Bo Town or Sweet Bo by locals, this natural trading hub is known for its palm oil, coffee, cocoa and rice. Soon Kenema is calling, your base for the Gola Forest Reserve, the South Kambui Hills Forest Reserve and Gola National Park.

This is the route if you want to revel in the history and culture of Sierra Leone before exploring one of West Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots.

Highlights include: Pygmy hippos in the Gola Rain Forest, Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, the Gola Malimbe bird, Congor Waterfalls, palm oil plantations, Gara Tie Dying Centre.

Route 3: Oceans, Beaches and Islands

Freetown --> Moyamba --> Bonthe (280 km)

Soak up Sierra Leone’s laidback tropical lifestyle on Freetown’s most beautiful beaches, including Lumley Beach, River No 2 and the Banana Islands, before journeying south to the sleepy fishing village of Bonthe, on Sherbro Island. Take in the island’s traditional Krio board houses, discover its abolitionist history, and fish, surf or scuba in the waters off both Sherbro and the Turtle Islands.

Brimming with heritage and culture, this route takes in the charming seaside villages and fishing communities dotting Sierra Leone’s endless coastline.

Highlights include: Banana Islands, Turtle Islands, Turner’s Peninsula, Sulima Beach, Mahera Beach, Tobanda Beach, York, scuba diving, surfing, sport fishing.

Route 4: Freedom Route

Freetown --> Western Peninsula --> Bunce Island (32 km by boat)

Explore Sierra Leone’s Western Peninsula, which boasts long stretches of golden sand, palm trees, dense tropical forests and tiny Krio settlements, before heading back to Freetown and boarding a boat or ferry to Bunce Island. Here you’ll find the remnants of an 18th-century slave fort which stands as a testament to the island’s horrific past as one of Africa’s most prolific slave-trading centres.

The highlight of the Freedom Route, a walk around Bunce island will take you past its old holding cells, chapel and historic graves, their remains slowly being swallowed by the island’s jungle-like vegetation.

Highlights include: Banana Islands, Tasso Island, Freedom Churches, Wanpole Market, National Museum, Railway Museum, Gateway to Old King’s Yard, Fort Thornton, Bunce Island.

Experiences not to miss

Take in the View

Visit Leicester Peak, the highest point in Freetown, for a spectacular view over the city – and its many inlets and waterways. Routes 1 – 4.

Eat fresh seafood on the beach

From a bowl of jollof rice to the freshest mangoes, food in Sierra Leone is simple and tasty. Make sure to tuck into barracuda, lobster, crab or snapper on a beach in Sierra Leone – a bottle of Star beer in hand. Routes 1 – 4.

Live like a local

Learn more about the traditional art, music, culture and customs in inland villages on a unique village tour. Shop for cloth, ceramics, baskets and more. Routes 1 and 2.

Hike the mountains

Hiking to the summit of Mount Bintumani requires a fair amount of preparation and fitness level, including seeking permission from the local chief, but the mountain is home to a rich array of birdlife and wildlife. Other areas to hike include the Kambui Hills and Kangari Hills Forest Reserves as well as the Wara Wara Mountains. Routes 1 and 2.

Catch the big one

Fishing enthusiasts with their eye on reeling in the catch of the day could arrange for big-game sportfishing for tarpon, barracuda, giant mackerel and grouper. Route 3.

Enjoy a bucket-list birding adventure

Some of the world’s most rare and vulnerable bird species, including the white-necked picathartes, the Gola Malimbe and rufous fishing owl, are found in Sierra Leone. Grab a guide and head into the Gola Rain Forest, the Kambui Hills Forest Reserve, and the Kangari Hills Forest Reserve – or many other parks and reserves. Routes 1 and 2.

Try your hand at surfing – or lace up your soccer boots

The west coast of Africa has some of the best and leastpopulated surf beaches in the world. Visit the Bureh Surf Club, hire a board for the day, or enrol in a surf school. Alternatively, pick up a game of beach soccer (booted or barefoot) for an unforgettable Salone experience. Route 3.

Spot the elusive pygmy hippo

The rich variety of plant and animal life in Sierra Leone is unmatched by almost anywhere else in the world. Many visitors come to see the chimpanzees and huge variety of monkey species, but spotting a rare pygmy hippo in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. Routes 1 and 2.

Useful Information

Location: Sierra Leone is on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Guinea and Liberia.

Capital: Freetown

Climate: Sierra Leone enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: rainy from May to October, and dry from November to April. August is the wettest month when the country can experience flooding. Expect hot and humid conditions throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from the low- to mid-20°s C (70°s F) on the coast, to the high 20°s C and above (80°s F) inland.

Population: At last count, the population of Sierra Leone is 7.5 million (2021).

Language: English is the official language of Sierra Leone, but you’ll also hear Krio, an English-based creole spoken in Sierra Leone and parts of West Africa.

Political status: Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961. It is a multi-party democracy and the current president, Julius Maada Bio, was elected in March 2018.

Religion: Sierra Leone is officially a secular state, although Islam (60%) and Christianity (30%) are the two main religions in the country.

Culture: Sierra Leone enjoys rich cultural diversity and centuriesold traditions which are generously shared with visitors. The Salone people are family oriented, and proud of their origins and heritage.

Tourist visas: All visitors must have a valid passport and visa for entry. Visas can be secured from Sierra Leone consulates/ embassies abroad, the National Tourist Board, and handling agents like VSL Travel, KTI Travel & Tours, and IPC Travel & Tours, among others.

Yellow fever: All visitors require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Carry it with you while travelling.

Airport transfers: Lungi International Airport and Freetown are separated by the Sierra Leone River. You will need to book a reliable boat service to facilitate your transfer to Freetown. Options include water taxis, privately-chartered speedboats or ferries.

Driving: Vehicles can be hired through local companies, hotels and private individuals (with or without a driver) and collected once in Freetown.

Public transport: Both public and private bus services operate between major towns and cities across the country. Local taxis and mini buses (poda-poda), autorickshaws (keh-kehs) and bikes (okada) are also available for travellers on a very tight budget – or interested in immersing themselves in the local culture.

Communication: The five main mobile network providers are Celtel, Millicom, Africell, Datatel and Comium. Buy a local sim card to avoid roaming charges and a local data package for when free Wi-Fi is not available (outside of hotels).

Electricity: Sierra Leone is still one of the least developed countries in the world, and only about 23% of Sierra Leoneans have access to electricity. Freetown has a reasonable supply, but further out the supply may be unpredictable. The standard frequency in Sierra Leone is 50Hz /230 V. Always double-check your device voltage before plugging it in. Plugs/points are D and G. It’s a good idea to travel with a standard/generic adaptor.

Food: Rice is the staple food in Sierra Leone, and it’s served with stews, cassava leaf, potato leaf or peanuts. Make sure to try the country’s fresh seafood, as well as barbecued skewers of beef, mutton or chicken. There are plenty of local restaurants serving both traditional West African and international cuisine.

Travel insurance: All visitors should purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation.

Health: There are 80+ hospitals, both private and public, operating in Sierra Leone. Note that there are fewer opportunities for health care outside of Freetown, particularly in remote regions. Yellow fever and malaria are endemic to Sierra Leone. Please speak to your doctor about anti-malarial medication before travelling.

Courtesies/social etiquette: Always ask permission before taking pictures of Salone nationals. In most cases they will be happy to comply, especially if you promise to send them a copy!

Dress: Shorts and flip-flops are perfect for the beach, but it’s best to wear lightweight trousers or skirts in the city and upcountry. Think loose, airy, comfortable clothing; throw in a pair of walking/trekking pants with pockets for everyday use; and bring rain gear for the rainy season.

Entertainment: Locals love to have fun, so pack your dancing shoes! There are many nightclubs in the larger towns and cities with a great selection of African, European, West Indian and Hip Hop music.

Accommodation: Some International chains, like the Radisson Blu and Golden Tulip, and are operational in Freetown. There is a good selection of 3- and 4-star hotels as well as guesthouses, lodges and B&Bs available. Check our directory for details.

Conference facilities: Events spaces and conference venues are easily available through hotels in Freetown. Check our directory for details.

Currency: The official currency is the Leone (LE or SLL), which is available in coins of 100 and 500 and bills of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000. It is easy to exchange foreign currency at commercial banks, foreign bureaux de change, hotels and supermarkets.

Credit cards: Cash is king in Sierra Leone. While some hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards to settle bills, please check beforehand.

Banks/ATMs: Banking hours are from 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Some banks are open on a Saturday between 8:30am and 12:00 noon. There are a few ATMs in the main centres, but they are not widely available. Expect to have to carry cash.

Business hours: Official business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Public holidays: Sierra Leone celebrates Islamic, Christian and National holidays. Public holidays include New Year’s Day, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, Armed Forces Day, International Women’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Annual highlights include The Lantern Festival (April), The Tangain Festival (Easter) and the Ma Dengn Beach festival (December/ January).