The Eastern Province is famous for diamond and gold mining activities within heavily forested hills. It is a place of unrelenting beauty, home to rich biodiversity in the country’s first rainforest National Park at Gola Forest with jungle-covered green hills, rare birds, aged trees, chimps and the odd pygmy hippo. The area is perfect for adventure lovers. Traveling from Freetown to Kenema takes around five hours by four-wheel drive vehicle.

The Northern Province is one of the four provinces of Sierra Leone sharing boundaries with the Republic of Guinea. The provincial headquarter is Makeni and it is approximately two and half hours from Freetown and has good road network. This region is a potential paradise for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. It has ranges of Mountains, Hills, Valleys and Wetlands; comprising unique and endangered species. It is also home to Outamba Kilimi National Park.

The geography of southern Sierra Leone, as of much of West Africa’s southwest-facing shores, is that the coast itself tends to be indistinct and often miles from the nearest road. The coast is entirely separated from the mainland and thus the town of Bonthe and the Turtle Islands are adrift in the Atlantic. Southeast of Bonthe, the surf hits a tremendous, unbroken beach, which stretches 110m to the little port of Sulima on the Liberian border.

Pickett Hill
Pickett Hill, situated in the Peninsula near Waterloo, Western Area in Sierra Leone is a 855m (2,805ft) mountain rising above sea level and the highest peak in Freetown and the 13th highest mountain in the whole of Sierra Leone. The Peninsula in Freetown is the only part of West Africa where mountains rise high above sea level giving the capital (Freetown) and the surrounding its magical landscape.

Though a majority of the village’s inhabitants are Muslims, one can still see traditional huts used as shrines where the villagers often seek protection from their gods. Coba water is the last existing village when climbing Pickett Hill but there are other villages-though no longer in existence, that still have some significance in Sierra Leone’s history.

Like Yankeh Soko for example was a village named after a famous and popular herbalist-Yankeh Soko who was very popular within the Western Area. Yankeh used Cut-Nose devils to heal people during her days. It was believed in those days that women should not see the Cut-Nose devil and she being the only woman to have seen and worked with the devil makes her even more powerful. Other villages along the mountain trail include: Magbatha, Kissi Gim, Masophe, Monomor Resting house (Built by the Portuguese around 1700 for travelers between Waterloo and York. It also used to host security personals that used to escort people between the two villages in the 1800s and 1900s) and a few other sites. Even though these villages no longer exist, there are still remains of the lost villages as well as sign posts and road signs.

The three hour experience to the top of the mountain can be both fun and challenging. Despite the challenges to the top of the mountain, there are some interesting sights too. Different bird species and butterflies can be seen along the mountain trail. There is always the sound of a bird singing either closer or far away or the sudden flap of another bird’s wings taking off from a branch. The smell of fresh flowers is sure to awaken the sense of smell.

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
On only a 30-minutes drive from Freetown you find the mountain that is home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It is famous for its rehabilitation efforts for domesticated chimps, but it is much more than this; Tacugama is ecotourism in its most complete form: eco-lodges, hikes through the rain-forest, a community outreach program, bird-watching, yoga retreats and live Afro Jazz nights are just some of the activities Tacugama is involved with. This article will highlight some of the best parts of the sanctuary and give some more background information on how it was found to make the case that it is one of the most versatile places to visit in Sierra Leone.

Yawri Bay
Yawri Bay has rich tidal mudflats and mangroves, which are home to tens of thousands of birds for a third of the year. It supports a major local fishing industry.

Bird Island
Three rivers, Ribbi, Bumpe and Kagboro, each with its own estuary, flow into the Yawri Bay. The bay’s topography and location shelters it from the force of river flow and strong marine currents. It is therefore a suitable spawning and nursery ground for fish, which is one of the county’s most important marine resources. Mean annual rainfall is about 3,554mm. Temperature varies little with season; the mean daily range is 22-31 0C in the dry season and 23-27 0C in the rainy season. Relative humidity at 1500h runs between 60% and 80% annually.

Kangari Hills Forest Reserve
The forest reserve at Kangari Hills is home to an important forest wildlife community, including forest and savanna dependent birds, chimpanzees and elephants.

Location of Kangari Hills Forest Reserve
This reserve is located in the Kunike and Bonkolenken Chiefdoms in the Tonkolili District, Northern Province and the Valunia Chiefdom in the Bo District, Southern Province. It occurs about 210 km east of Freetown. The forest at Kangari is part of a range of hills, the highest being Kang-ari, which is outside the reserve. The hills are drained by a number of rivers and the valleys support swamps suitable for agriculture. The region is the source of two main rivers passing through the centre of the country – The Pampana River to the northeast and the Moa River to the southwest.

Kambui Hills Forest Reserve
The Kambui Hills Forest reserve, which is found in the southeast of the country, is classified as a production forest reserve for the supply of timber to local and international markets. The reserve is situated on the north and south of Kenema town.

Location of Kambui Hills Forest Reserve
The Kambui Hills Forest Reserve is situated in the southeast of Sierra Leone about 300 km south-east of Freetown. The reserve covers sections of the Nongowa, Bambara, Dama and Koya Chiefdoms of the Kenema District, Eastern Province. The two sections of the reserve (Kambui North 20,348 ha and Kambui South 880 ha) are separated by the main highway leading to Kenema town. The forest reserve includes areas encompassing the highest peak in the southern sector of the country, which stands at 645m. The reserve supports catchment areas for a number of reservoirs that supply water to Kenema and surrounding communities.

Tingi Hills
The Tingi Hills is the easternmost outlying forest in Sierra Leone. It has the second highest peak in Sierra Leone, the Sankan Birriwa. The scenic undulating nature of the topography and the rich game and plant diversity are attractive to visitors and scientists.

Location of Tingi Hills Forest Reserve
Tingi Hills Forest Reserve is located close to Sierra Leone’s eastern border with the Republic of Guinea. It occurs between the Nieya Chiefdom, Koinadugu District, Northern Province and the Sando and Lei Chiefdoms in the Kono District, Eastern Province, about 470 km east of Freetown.

The Tingi Hills is the easternmost mountain range in Sierra Leone. The forest reserve includes areas encompassing the massif called Sankan Birriwa, which has two peaks separated by a narrow gorge. Both peaks stand over 1800m, but the northernmost which is 1850m high, is the second highest in Sierra Leone. The terrain is generally rocky, with numerous streams, which have their sources from the massif. These streams are the tributaries of two major rivers in the country; the Mano River, which runs along the border with the Republic of Liberia and Sewa River.

Mamunta Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary
This site is important for its variety of vegetation types and is one of the few areas in Sierra Leone holding the threatened Dwarf Crocodile. The site is important for the economy and culture of the local people and is the first site to be managed as Wildlife Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. It holds 252 species bird species in a relatively small area and has an excellent ecotourism potential.

Location of Mamunta Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is occurs in the Kholifa and Mabang Chiefdoms, Tonkolili district, Northern Province, about 180 km east of Freetown. Located almost at the centre of the country, this sanctuary supports a wide range of vegetation types. The predominant vegetation is boliland (seasonally flooded grassland) with occasional occurrence of swamps, savanna, secondary forest and two perennial lakes. Water depths in swamps rise to 1.5 m during flooding. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 3048 to 3556 mm, Mean daily temperatures vary from 26-32 0C in the dry season, and 20-30 0C in the wet season. Relative humidity at 1500h varies between 50% and 80% annually. The area is founded on Precambrian-Bintumani granite rocks.

Western Area Peninsula Forest
This reserve is probably the westernmost remnant of West African rain forest. Its fauna and flora are rich and are more affected by seasonal changes than those of the lowland forests in the east. Its situation close to Freetown presents particular threats, but also great opportunities for education and ecotourism.

Location of Western Area Peninsula Forest
This forest reserve is located on the hills of the Western Area Peninsula, on the extreme western edge of the country, about 5 km south of the capital Freetown. The WAPF occupies a narrow chain of hills approximately 37 km long and 14 km wide, with a range of peaks, the highest being Picket Hill in the south, which rises to about 900m. A thin coastal strip lines the peninsula to the north, west and south. Freetown [population 600,000 (1989), but now probably in excess of 1.5 million occupies the northern end and numerous small settlements are found along the roads leading from the capital towards the reserve.

Outamba-Kilimi National Park
Outamba-Kilimi is the only extensive area of savanna woodland and grass savanna, which has any protection in Sierra Leone. Its primate population, especially the chimpanzee population, is exceptional, and it has considerable potential for education and ecotourism development.

Location of Outamba-Kilimi National Park
Outamba-Kilimi National Park (OKNP) is found in the extreme north, about 296 km north of Freetown. It lies adjacent to the border with the Republic of Guinea, in the Tambakha Chiefdom, Bombali District, Northern province. The two areas, Outamba (74,100 ha) and Kilimi (36,800 ha), that constitute the park are separated by a stretch of land 1000 km 2 in size. The vegetation is characterised by a mosaic of grassland, closed woodland and gallery forest. Whereas, Outamba has a predominance of tall grasses and woodland, and patches of closed canopy forest, Kilimi has more grassland and more open woodland. There are traces of Raffia swamp vegetation and riverine grassland in both areas. Outamba has a perennial lake, Lake Idrissa. The land in general is agriculturally poor. The region is drained by several streams, which flow into large rivers of national importance such as the Mongo and Little Scarcies at Outamba and the Great Scarcies at Kilimi.

Lake Sonfon and Environs
This site is situated in a remote area in the mountainous northeast of the country. It is a symbol of traditional belief and place of cultural ceremonies of the local people.

Location
Lake Sonfon is found in the Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District, Northern Province, about 350 km north-east of Freetown.

Lake Sonfon is a mountainous lake, 850m asl. It is surrounded by hills with vegetation comprising open grassland, wooded savanna and fringing forest with occasional farm bush. A number of small streams empty into the lake. Water level in the lake rises considerably during the rainy season inundating a much larger area. Annual rainfall in the area ranges from 2286 mm to 2540 mm. Mean diurnal temperatures range from 15-33 0C and 20-27 0C during the dry and rainy seasons respectively. Relative humidity at 1500h varies from 40% to 70% annually.

Gola Forest Reserve
The Gola Forest is the largest area of lowland rain forest remaining in Sierra Leone, and is one of the most important sites for the conservation of threatened wildlife in the ountry.

The three forest reserves, which comprise Gola Forest (Gola North, 45,800 ha; Gola East 22,800 ha; Gola West 6,200 ha), are located in the Eastern and Southern Provinces, about 330km southeast of Freetown. Gola forest covers parts of the Gaura, Tunkia, Nomo, and Koya Chiefdoms in the Kenema District; Barri and Makpele Chiefdoms in the Pujehun District; and Malema Chiefdom in the Kailahun District. The forest forms part of Sierra Leone’s border with the Republic of Liberia. Small areas of forest remain outside the reserves and connect the reserves to each other and to forests in Liberia. Tiwai Island, in the Moa river, west of Gola West is part of the Gola forest IBA.

The Gola Forest is the largest tract of closed canopy, lowland rain forest in Sierra Leone. Gola North is fairly hilly and rugged with most land lying over 300m asl, the highest point being 475 m. The Mogbai is the main river draining Gola North and its catchment area lies at the centre of the reserve. This river discharges east into the River Mano, which runs along the border with Liberia. Gola East and Gola West, which are separated by the Mahoi River, are low lying with swampy areas and a few low hills (up to 150 m). Bagra Hill (330 m) is the highest point in Gola East.

Loma Mountains & Mount Bintimani-Bintumani
Loma Mountains comprise the northernmost outlying forest in Sierra Leone, and the largest area of montane forest in the country. Bintimani peak is the highest in West Africa. The Loma Mountain range has a rich bird fauna, quite different from that of the lowland forests such as Gola.

Loma mountains forest reserve is found in the Nieni and Neya Chiefdoms in the Koinadugu District, Northern Province, about 346 km northeast of Freetown.

The forest reserve is found on a range of hills of wide altitudinal range (400 – 1900 m), the highest being Bintimani Mountain (1945 m), which is the highest in West Africa – west of Cameroon. Many rivers drain the mountain range and two of Sierra Leone’s major rivers have their sources from this region; the Sewa to the southwest and Rokel to the northwest.

Sierra Leone National Museum
Sierra Leone has a rich cultural history. Freetown in itself has plenty of historical sites that you can visit, such as the Cotton Tree, Wilberforce and the Sierra Leone National Museum.

Dublin, Banana Island
Dublin is 11 miles long and 1.3 quarters miles wide with seven hills and seven beaches and a population of 842 (2012). Dublin is full of backyard gardens, big breadfruit trees and rare and delightful butterflies. In the morning, you will be greeted by beautiful sounds of strange and beautiful birds.

York
York is a distinctly Krio village with a rich history though the village also comprises of various other tribes. Prior to the arrival of the liberated slaves, the Sherbro were settled in the area and the village as called Momimi.

St John’s Maroon Church
This church was built by the Maroons who arrived in the colony in 1800 as black returnees from Jamaica who were reputed to be accomplished stone masons. It is thought they converted to Christianity through the influence of the Nova Scotians who were already in the Colony.

The Wharf Steps and Old Guard House
These flights of stone steps are one of the stone architecture erected during the governorship of Governor Charles Macarthy. They lead down from Wallace Johnson Street and were completed in 1818. They are often wrongly referred to as the “Portuguese Steps”. The Guard House at the top of the steps was built in 1819.

St George’s Cathedral
As the drive to make the Sierra Leone Colony a Christian community continued, Governor Maxwell sent a memo to the Secretary of State for the colonies requesting the construction of a church to serve as a place of worship for the citizens.

St Charles’ Church, Regent
As the Liberated African Villages grew, it was decided that structures had to be established to cater for the spiritual and educational welfare of the emerging communities. The government agreed to finance the construction of schools and churches.

The Gateway to the Old King’s Yard
After the Abolition Act had come into effect and Sierra Leone had become a British Colony, the Navy were mostly involved in trying to intercept the still on-going Slave Traffic. One of the most effective vessels charged with this responsibility was ironically a former slave vessel itself, the Black Joke, formerly called the Henriquita. Captured…

The Martello Tower
Due to frequent attacks on Freetown in the 19th century by the Temne under the leadership of King Tom, the government became nervy about future attacks on the colony. The governor of the day instructed that a Martello Tower be built on the top of Tower Hill as a defence mechanism.

Three Old City Boundary Guns
Probably from a condemned slave ship, the Three Old Boundary Cannons were half buried in the ground to mark the boundaries of old Freetown. Vertically positioned with their muzzles pointing upwards they were put in this position to avoid people sitting on them.

The Cotton Tree
This majestic tree stands in the centre of the oldest part in Freetown and is the most visible landmark in the city. Though its exact age is unknown it has undisputedly stood here for over 200 years. It is believed by some to have been the resting place for the Black Poor when the arrived…

National Railway Museum
The Sierra Leone National Railway Museum was established by Col. Steve Davies MBE, Deputy Commander of the International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT) in Sierra Leone, working in his spare time with a team of fifteen young unemployed Sierra Leoneans. Together they have transformed a shed of locomotives, abandoned since abolition of the State railway…

Old Fourah Bay College
Old Fourah Bay College is probably Freetown’s most famous institution , it is the oldest university in West Africa. In it’s former splendor, Sierra Leone became known as the “Athens of West Africa” as scholars from all over Africa would travel to Sierra Leone to further their education. Samuel Adjai Crowther, the college’s first student,…

Bunce Island
Bunce Island was the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa. Founded around 1670, it exported tens of thousands of African captives to North America and the West Indies until the British Parliament finally closed it down in 1808. During its long and tragic history, Bunce Island was operated by four…

Banana Islands – Dublin, Ricketts and Mes-Meheux
The Banana Islands lie southwest of the Freetown Peninsula in Sierra Leone. The Islands are about a 20 minutes boat ride from Kent, and offer good opportunities for snorkeling and fishing or if you fancy it, a canoe trip around the Island. The Banana Islands are comprised of three Islands: Dublin, Ricketts and Mes-Meheux.

Sierra eone’s beaches have been praised by many and can be seen as its’ main tourist attraction. Even though a couple have been affected by sandmining, they have been spared from commercialisation and mass-tourism and offer some of the most stunning vistas of the continent. They are desolate, quiet, peaceful and will melt the hearts even of those who hate sand.

Read on for our top-5 beaches and envision yourself sipping a rum-coconut cocktail fresh from the palm tree, eating just-caught lobster whilst enjoying the sunset or hitting the waves with surfers from all over the world.

Lumley Beach
Although it is not visually stunning, Lumley beach is on this list because it is where many Freetonians come to have a good time. Perfect for a sunset or sunrise run, football matches, beach volleyball or to enjoy an ice cream sold at Gigibontà’s, Nicecream, Scoops or from the Bomba ice cream sellers that go up and down the shore. Lumley beach is also home to many clubs and bars such as the Warehouse, O’Casey’s live music bar and 232 Complex. Not ideal for a swim, but perfect for blending in with the locals and enjoy the sunset. Lumley beach is in western Freetown and close to most hotels and guesthouses.

Location: Lumley beach road, Lumley, Freetown.

Tokeh Beach
Tokeh beach is a favourite among many to get away from the urban hustle and bustle. With its white sand, straw beach huts and long wooden pier that stretches into the sea, Tokeh feels like an escape from reality into a tropical paradise. The sea is calm, the water temperature soothing and the shore lends itself perfectly for pensive strolls.

If you want to stay the night, check out Tokeh Sands Resort or The Place. They have luxurious lodging options that are worth every dollar. You also have the opportunity to take a local fisher boat from Tokeh to Banana Island or to take a fishing trip.

Directions: Tokeh Beach is 18 miles south of central Freetown, situated next to the fishing village of Tokeh. Take public transport or talk to us about hiring a vehicle to get you there. The road is poor, so a 4-wheel drive is recommended.

Sussex Beach
Sussex beach is located between Lumley Beach and Tokeh beach along the Western Area Peninsula. What makes Sussex such an amazing beach to visit is the winning combination of having a riving flowing into the sea and a mangrove forests that is home to monkeys, tropical birds and (rumour has it) an alligator. You can spend the night at Florence’s Beach Resort, an Italian- Sierra Leonean getaway with excellent Italian cuisine and quality rooms. Wake up to the sound of the waves from $60 per night (including breakfast). At times you can surf at Sussex beach, and if surfing is not your thing try stand-up-paddle boarding. Both can be rented at the resort.

Directions: Take the peninsular road from Freetown, pass the Emergency hospital until you see a sign with: ‘Florence Beach Resort’.

Bureh Beach
Bureh beach is on a 1,5 hour ride from Freetown and loved by many because of its diversity. You can surf, swim, hike, canoe, do yoga, skate, drink palmwine, party or simply relax in a hammock and enjoy the view.

There are several enterprises located at this beach and each offers a slightly different experience for a different audience. The Rakis Beach resort is more of a hotel, Prince’s has hammocks and beach cottages and is near where the beach parties are and the Bureh Beach Surf Club has tents and rooms more geared towards water explorers.

Also here the river flows into the sea and when the tide is low you can walk all the way into the mangrove forest. Beware of the riptide and the strong currents, especially when the tide is going out.

Directions: From Freetown it takes about 1,5 hours by road. It is advised to use the Mountain Road that runs from Hill Station to York. Talk to us about renting a private vehicle, especially handy for the bumpier parts of the road.

River Number 2
Number one on this list is River No. 2. It is the most crowded of all beaches but wins in terms of aesthetics. The dramatic backdrop of forested mountains, white sand, the mangroves, the river that flows into the sea, the calm water and colourful fishing boats make this place a popular spot among Sierra Leoneans. This is where people celebrate their birthday, weddings or simply enjoy a day at the beach with their family. Sunday is the busiest day, so if you want to avoid crowds try going during the weekdays. Still, even when it gets busy it only takes a five-minute walk along the shore to be in absolute tranquillity. Don’t get carried away by its stunning beauty, there are some strong tides at River Number Two, especially in the river that runs into the sea.

Directions: Take the peninsular road from Freetown. It is about 10 minutes after Lakka Beach. 4-Wheel drive highly recommended as the last part of the road is bad.

The Turtle Islands
A group of eight islands off the southwest peninsular, the Turtle Islands are idyllic and are in habited by fishing communities. They are remote and hard (and potentially expensive) to get to; it can take at least 3 hours from Freetown by speedboat. If you do make it to Bonthe then we recommend chartering a speedboat from the Bonthe Holiday Village.

Directions: You can get to the Turtle Islands by boat from Freetown, Tombo, Bonthe or Yagoi. You can either travel with the locals (from Yagoi) or charter a boat from Freetown or Bonthe.

The National Dance Troup
Sierra Leone traditional or Dance Troupe dancing and portrays unique social culture is incomplete without cultural dancing. The National is the embodiment of traditional songs from all ethnic groups the country’s rich heritage and culture.

Masquerades and Festivals
Various masquerades and festivals are organised throughout the country, especially at the end of festive periods such as Eid Ul Adha, New Year and Easter holidays.

The Freetong Players
The Freetong players is a theatre group performing comedy, music and theatrical skits reflecting Sierra Leone’s socio-cultural belief and values.

Ma Dengn Beach Festival
Ma dengn means ‘let’s meet, let’s get together.’ The Ma dengn beach festival celebrates and promotes Sierra Leonean culture, where performers, artisans, musicians, artists and dancers from all over the country converge to make this a festival to remember.

Balenta Academy
A relatively old academy, Balenta trains young people in the art of theatre and music, and organises local and international musical concerts including jazz, throughout the year.

Tangains Festival
This event is a chance to showcase Sierra Leone’s rich culture with music, dance, drama performances, fashion, exhibitions, a trade fair, food and folklore. It is organized by the Freetong Players (a theatre group) and usually falls around the Easter period.

The traders want to see how best you can bargain your best prices, it’s a fun, get the show started by negotiating your best price. Although some prices are fixed but make a try, you cannot tell it’s your day.

The following local markets are selected for your shopping for special goods or souvenirs.

Big Market
One of the oldest traditional markets, with a colonial architectural design, this markets provides must local items you wish to see and buy. The top floor of the Big Market, or Basket Market, in downtown, has a larger selection than markets in Lumley. What makes this the best place to shop for souvenirs is the traditional household goods on the ground floor. Feel the bargaining process yourself, be rest assured you will be fine.

Victoria Park Market
Right on Garrison Street this is the place to find colourful local wax cloths and Gara (Sierra Leonean tie-die), as well as get custom outfits made for you and your household.

Kroo Town Market
Walking slowly or driving from your hotel, you can access this market just at the back of the National Tourist Board’s office. The Lumley Beach Arts & Crafts Market is a decent place to pick up woodcarvings, baskets and other souvenirs and handy work from the very people.

Lumley Beach Arts & Crafts Market
Walking slowly or driving from your hotel, you can access this market just at the back of the National Tourist Board’s office. The Lumley Beach Arts & Crafts Market is a decent place to pick up woodcarvings, baskets and other souvenirs and handy work from the very people.

Government Wharf Market
This small collection of stalls sells everything from second-hand clothes to cooking equipment.

East Street Market
A busy street market in central Freetown, get your own second wears be it shoes, bags, and other accessories.