Sierra Leone, a small nation on the West Coast of Africa nestled between Guinea and Liberia, is no bigger than Ireland, yet it bursts with diversity. Despite its modest size, Sierra Leone offers something for everyone, boasting 560 km of coastline with some of West Africa’s most stunning beaches, of which only 150 km is urbanized. The country features high peaks, extensive mangrove systems, swamplands, mudflats, lush green tropical rainforests, farmland, and bustling urban areas, all teeming with abundant wildlife that we will encounter on our tour. 

Often referred to locally as Salone, Sierra Leone is one of the world’s most underrated hidden gems. Having enjoyed over two decades of peace since the end of the civil war, it is often dubbed the safest country in West Africa. On this Sierra Leone Tour, you will have the opportunity to deep-dive into the culture of this fascinating country, meeting the most welcoming locals and exploring white sand beaches and lush forests. 

· Tuk-Tuk City tour of Freetown, the vibrant capital of Sierra Leone

· Shopping at a local market for ingredients, followed by a lesson in cooking traditional dishes

· Visit to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

· Relaxing at River No 2 Beach, one of the country's most stunning coastal spots 

· Hike up to Leicester Peak for sunset views over Freetown Bay

· Boat trip to the historic Bunce Island

·  Swimming at Tasso Island

Location: Sierra Leone

Accommodation type: Hotel (twin share)

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights

Dates: 26th - 30th April 2025

Trip type: Adventure, Culture

The adventure starts the moment you land at Lungi Airport. I will be waiting there to greet and welcome you to Salone. After sorting you out with a local SIM card and some local currency, we will make our way to Freetown by boat!

As we drive to the dock, you will get your first glimpse of life in Sierra Leone. As one of our previous guests described Salone, it is “happy chaos”. Once at the port, we will board our small boat for a 45-minute commute across the waters to Aberdeen, where our Stafford Lodge Hosts will be waiting for us to take us to our home for the next few days.

Meals included: 

Accommodation: Twin share in the 3* Stafford Lodge (or similar).

The 27th of April marks Sierra Leone’s Independence Day, so you can be sure of a good party atmosphere that night! But we will start our day with a much more serene activity! A visit to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Here, we will learn about the conservation efforts at play to educate and save this extraordinary primate. We will visit the various enclosures to understand the rehabilitation process chimpanzees go through. And if you have a good head for heights, you can finish the visit canopy overview.

For lunch, we will head to River No 2 beach. Gear up for an afternoon of relaxation at one of Sierra Leone’s most stunning beaches. With its shallow, turquoise waters and estuary-created sandbanks, it’s a visual treat and a swimmer’s paradise. The gentle waves and rock-free coastline make it the perfect spot to splash around and soak up the sun.

After enjoying the serene beauty of River No. 2, you’ve got two options:

For those eager to experience the local party scene, there’s an optional dinner visit to Jess Ka Mac on Lumley Beach, where great vibes and unforgettable memories await. Those who prefer a more relaxed evening can kick back at our accommodation, where you can unwind and enjoy a meal at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Twin share at 3* Stafford Lodge (or similar)

Today’s adventure begins in the bustling heart of Freetown. Feel the pulse of the city as you weave through its lively streets on a Keh-keh (or tuk-tuk), Sierra Leone’s most popular mode of transport. Where are we heading? On a city tour!

Are you ready to immerse yourself in Sierra Leone’s captivating history? Our city tour is designed for those seeking more than just a sightseeing trip. You’ll explore the nation’s colonial past, uncover the harrowing tales of the slave trade, and gain insights into the Civil War that shaped modern-day Sierra Leone.

After a brief stop for lunch, we will make our way to a vibrant local market, where we’ll buy fresh ingredients for this afternoon’s activity: a cooking class! But let’s not rush it; the sights, smells, and sounds of the market will be an adventure in itself!

The day culminates with a hands-on cooking experience, during which you’ll learn to prepare staple Sierra Leonean dishes. Guided by local chefs, you’ll discover the secrets behind the rich flavours and traditional cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations.

If the weather permits, our tour will include a hike up to Leicester Peak, where we hope to be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the sunset over the bay of Freetown. It’s the perfect way to end a day of history, culture, and adventure.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Accommodation: Twin share at 3* Stafford Lodge (or similar)

Today will be a sobering day as we make our way to Bunce Island, the historic forte from where 30,000 Sierra Leonean slaves were shipped to plantations in America. We will spend the morning learning about this tragic chapter of history and how it still impacts society today.

Following this thought-provoking stop, we will head to Tasso Island for lunch and a dip in the sea before making our way back to Freetown in our local wooden speed boat!

In the evening, we have a very special meal planned for those who wish to join. Dinner will be in Sierra Leone’s only gourmet restaurant: Cole Street. Owned by a female lawyer, it employs single mothers. So not only will we enjoy a delicious meal, but we will also be supporting the local economy. Dinner here is a real treat!

Meals included: Breakfast & lunch 

Accommodation: Twin share at 3* Stafford Lodge (or similar)

Grab your binoculars as we will start our day with an early morning birdwatching session from the veranda of our accommodation.

After breakfast, it is time to conclude our Sierra Leone tour and start the next leg of the adventure. For those continuing on with Street Child, we will transfer you to Makeni. This 3-hour drive passes through lively market towns – so there will be no time to get bored!

For those going home, we will arrange a transfer back to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

Payment Options 

The following options will be present at the payment screen 

NOTE: WeTravel Transaction Fee: Using the We Travel platform incurs a very small charge on all transactions, which guests are liable to pay when booking and paying instalments. This amount is 1% + 30p (or currency equivalent if not paying in GBP). The fee has a minimum of £1.50 (or currency equivalent)

Card 

Card Fees: Covered by us.

WeTravel Fee: Yes, see above

Time: Instant 

Direct Debit

(Only available for payments in GBP, USD, EUR, AUD or CAD) 

The direct debit system used varies depending on currency: 

Card Fees: No Card Fees. (as long as your account is in the same country as the currency).

WeTravel Fee: Yes, see above

Time: up to 7 working days to process 

(The payment will always be initiated on the date stated in your payment plan, so can take up to 7 working days from then to complete, until which time it will show as "pending"). 

You may be directed to an external page (hosted by Airwallex or MangoPay) to complete the DD setup; this is completely normal. You will also receive a separate email confirming the set-up of your Direct Debit. This is simply to confirm that we have set up a direct debit with you. 

Payments will be debited from your bank account and will appear in your bank statement as either GoCardless, Airwallex, MangoPay or WeTravel, (depending on your country). 

Managing Payments 

If you need to manage your payment methods at any time (e.g. change default payment method, remove payment method) you can either click "Manage booking" from your confirmation email, or you can log in to wetravel.com, and go to "Account > Payment Methods", at any time. 

You can also use a new payment method if manually paying an instalment from the "My Trips > manage booking" section on wetravel.com

Terms & Conditions

Please click the following link to view the terms and conditions for booking this trip. These will also be presented to you for signing upon placing your booking.

https://www.inspiredventures.co.uk/booking-terms-and-conditions 

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential as soon as you book your trip because it protects you from unexpected issues both before and during your travels.  

- Before your trip: If you need to cancel due to illness, a family emergency, or unforeseen events, insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs.  

- During your trip: It covers medical emergencies, lost luggage, or stolen passports, saving you from significant expenses and stress.  

Booking travel insurance early ensures you're protected from the start, giving you peace of mind throughout your journey.