9 Day Sierra Leone Small Group Tour

Sierra Leone is slowly making its mark on the travel map as a spectacularly scenic West African destination with plenty to offer the adventurous traveller seeking an off the beaten track getaway – exquisite beaches, verdant rainforests, breathtaking mountains and hospitable locals. Major natural attractions include the Gola Forest Reserve, Outamba Kilimi National Park and Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, while the capital Freetown is known for its vibrant culture and colourful markets. With some of the most pristine beaches in Africa, beautiful rugged scenery and a fabulously warm tropical climate, Sierra Leone won’t stay off the tourist map for long.

Currency 

The currency of  Sierra Leone is the Leone (SLL) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of SLL5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of SLL100 and 50.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Thursday 08h00-13h30 and Friday 08h00-14h00.

Credit cards (Visa only) are accepted in some shops, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants in Freetown. ATMs are few and far between in Sierra Leone. There are a number of ATMs (Visa only) in Freetown with limited others in other major centres such as Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Koidu. Some are not internationally connected and these are often liable to fraud. There are no Mastercard cashpoints in Sierra Leone.

Travellers' cheques are generally not recommended as opportunities to cash them are limited, but they can be exchanged at a number of banks.

Private airlines can be chartered, connecting Hastings, Bo, Kenema, Yengema and Freetown airports. Ask local travel agents such as VSL Travel or the national tourist board. Major hotels may also be able to organise flights.

Travelling by road in Sierra Leone can be a daunting task, but there are a number of good quality tarmacked roads that connect the major cities, and a good network of dirt roads connecting the smaller more remote towns and villages. It's important to note that although it is possible to travel everywhere by road during the dry season (November-May), during the rainy season there are many roads that aren't accessible.

There are several options for travel by road, each at a different price. You can rent a vehicle from a number of car hire companies or charter a taxi from one of the taxi parks in the major towns.

A poda-poda (minibus) is the main means of transport between towns. You can find these at the poda-poda parks in major towns or along the most frequented commuter routes (there are currently no pre-determined stops and buses are run on an ad-hoc basis). Alternatively, take the government bus routes (currently only serving Freetown-Bo-Kenema), or for shorter journey’s you can hitch a ride on an okada (motorbike taxi).

In major towns, there are reliable taxi services that travel predetermined routes. Taxis are yellow and black and range from five-seaters to people carriers. Usually, a taxi picks up a number of people along the route and charges a ‘one-way’ or ‘two-way’ rate depending on the distance. It's possible to rent a taxi for yourself or to share with a group.

Ocadas (motorbike taxis) are abundant all over Sierra Leone. A riskier mode of transport, they are a fast and reliable way of crossing one side of a town to the other, and of navigating the dirt roads in the provinces.

Sierra Leone has a deep and rich food culture. From the street stalls selling kukhri (rice and sauce) and plassas (fried dough balls and plantain with spicy gravy) in the cities, to the upmarket restaurants selling mouth-watering fish and seafood dishes on the beaches, it's no wonder Sierra Leone has been nicknamed 'Sweet Salone'.

Most food is spicy and uses salty Maggi stock cubes, but it is also healthy and prepared with local ingredients. At every corner, on every beach, in every village, you will come across a food culture that is deeply engrained in Sierra Leonean society.

The majority of food experiences in Sierra Leone are overwhelmingly positive and it is recommended to try at least one local dish during your visit. However, when eating out, try to stick to places that have been recommended, to reduce the chances of getting an upset stomach due to the poor hygiene practices of some establishments.

Most hotels and restaurants include a service charge of 10 to 15%.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

The climate is tropical and humid all year. Between November and April, it is very hot and dry, although the coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. 

In December and January, the dry, dusty Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara. Rainfall can be torrential during the rainy season between May and November.

In March there are sporadic rains, accompanied by strong winds, in the provinces when the heat of the dry season reaches its peak. If you decide to travel to the provinces during the month of March it is advisable to bring waterproof clothing to avoid getting drenched when you least expect it.

In August, during the rainy season, there is a period called the ‘seven-day rainfall’ when the rain keeps falling for seven days straight without interruption. This time of the year is best avoided if you are looking for a sun-soaked holiday on Sierra Leone’s beautiful beaches, but it is also the time when wildlife activity is at its peak and therefore a period of the year that attracts a lot of nature lovers.

There are no restrictions on clothing for men or women, with casual attire such as sleeveless shirts, flip flops and sandals the norm. Lightweight and light-coloured, cotton clothing is recommended due to the hot and humid climate. During the rainy season, it is advisable to wear wet-weather clothing, while a light jersey or jacket may be needed in the months when the Harmattan winds blow.

There are internet cafes all over Freetown, Bo and Kenema where internet access is constant but slow. In 2013, a fibre optic cable was introduced to Sierra Leone to increase the coverage and range of internet connectivity in the country. USB modems are also available from the major mobile phone providers and are an easy, but relatively expensive, way of connecting to the internet.

Electrical sockets in Sierra Leone are Type G (BS-1363). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Sierra Leone usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.