Sierra Leone Group Trip (11 – 26 November 2024)

Join me on an incredible group trip adventure in Sierra Leone, an amazing and fascinating but very misunderstood country.

Sierra Leone has stunning landscapes, varied wildlife, and vibrant traditions, yet is pretty much untouched by mainstream tourism. It’s one of the safest countries in Africa, but also one of the least travelled countries in the world (there were only 71,000 visitors in 2019) – which makes it ideal for an intrepid traveller.

There isn’t much in the way of tourist infrastructure (that’s a bonus in my eyes) but it’s an English-speaking country which means that Sierra Leone is a great introduction to West Africa travel, especially if you don’t speak French!

Sierra Leone is one of my favourite countries in Africa. I ran my first Rock My Sierra Leone Adventure trip in 2019 and it is still one of our most fondly talked about tours. I am very excited to return in 2024 and I’d LOVE for you to join me!

So if you’re looking for an adventurous and very different kind of holiday, come and experience ‘Sweet Salone’.

Sierra Leone Itinerary

Day 1: Freetown

Arrive in Freetown and transfer to your accommodation for the night.

Relax and get to know your fellow travellers during a meal and a local Star beer or two! Welcome to ‘Sweet Salone’, your Rock My Sierra Leone Adventure starts here.

*  If you have the time and can arrive earlier, we can organise any other activities you wish to do. Additional accommodation and activities charged separately.

• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: None

Day 2: Freetown

Today we’ll take a tour of Freetown with a local guide to see all of the main historical sights and get a feel for the city. As part of the tour, we’ll explore Bunce Island, one of the most significant ports of the Transatlantic slave trade.

Freetown is so called because this is where many freed slaves were brought or settled  the British brought freed slaves whose ships were intercepted on the way to the Americas, as well as where freed slaves from elsewhere returned to.

This has resulted in a capital city that is ethnically, culturally and religiously divere – which makes it an extremely interesting place to visit.

For lunch we’ll try some local food, then after you will be able to do some souvenir shopping at the Big Market, where you can buy locally made hand-woven baskets, wooden carvings, fabric, jewellery, home furnishings, paintings leather sandals and bags.

Freetown is an exciting place with a great atmosphere, so after dinner, those who want to can sample the local nightlife scene.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: Freetown City Tour

Day 3 – 4: Rogbonko Village Retreat

In the morning we’ll make the short journey to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary where we’ll take a guided tour of the centre to find out about the important work that they do, caring for and rehabilitating almost 100 rescued chimpanzees, as well as doing community outreach, wildlife field research, environmental sustainability, conservation education and alternative livelihoods programs.

From Tacugama, we’ll make our way to Rogbonko Village Retreat, a Temne tribe community-based initiative, where you will have the opportunity  to meet, interact and learn from the local people in the villlage, and live like them too.

You’ll also take part in a number of activities whilst we are here, such as walks through the bush, canoeing, visiting the local school, basket weaving, traditional dancing and making local food.

Just be aware – there are no shops, so if you need soft drinks or alcohol – we’ll have to bring them with us – we learned the hard way last time!

• Meals: 2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch & 2 x Dinner
• Accommodation: Traditional Huts or Camping
• Activities: Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary Tour, Village Activities (of your choice)

Day 5 – 6: Tiwai Island

From Rogbonko we’ll make our way to the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary which lies on one of Sierra Leone’s biggest inland islands on the River Moa and is part of the Gola Rainforest National Reserve.

Tiwai Island has one of the highest concentration of primates in the world with 11 different species and is home to around 80 rare and endangered pygmy hippos. The Sanctuary also supports the 8 communities living around it.

Whilst we are here, we’ll go on a guided hike through the Tiwai Forest, take a scenic boat tour on the river and visit some of the local villages where we’ll get to see (and take part in) traditional dances.

Those who want to can take an optional night tour to search for the pygmy hippos!

• Meals: 2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch & 2 x Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Activities: Scenic Boat Tour on the River Moa, Community Visit, Cultural Dancing, Morning Forest Walk, Swimming, Evening Walk

Day 7: Gola Rainforest National Park

Today we’ll transfer to Lalehun in the Gola Rainforest National Park where we’ll enjoy a guided walk following the network of nature trails leading into the forest.

If we’re lucky we might spot birds (Lalehun is ideal for bird-watchers offering opportunities for spotting rare species such as the Gola malimbe, and the enigmatic white-necked picarthartes), the resident groups of Diana Monkeys or hear chimpanzees calling to one another.

Night walks are ideal to spot nocturnal species, like the elusive pygmy hippo or pangolin (although don’t get your hopes up – they are rare to spot, but maybe we’ll be lucky).

Here, you’ll also experience the ‘Gola’ masked devil dance performed by Lalehun villagers who are members of the Mende tribe. This is quite the sight to behold.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
• Activities: Masked Devil Dance

Day 8: Bonthe Island

From Gola, we’ll make our way to Yargoi, passing through Bo Town, Sierra Leone’s 2nd biggest city. We’ll stop here to explore the local market (different from the craft market in Freetown) and pick up supplies for the Turtle Islands.

When we reach Yargoi, we’ll take a boat to the coastal town of Bonthe on Sherbro Island, the jumping off point for the remote Turtle Islands.

Once you arrive at Yargoi the boat ride takes two hours and offers you a stunning view of the villages along the estuary.

This is the type of place where the pace of life is slow and the locals are very welcoming to tourists who are few and far between! It’s time to relax and get on island time.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner and watch the sunset.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Tented Camp (Ensuite)
• Activities: Bo Town Market, Boat Ride to Bonthe

Day 9 – 10: Turtle Islands

Today we’ll head out on an expedition to one of the most remote places in West Africa, the Turtle Islands, an archipelago made up of 8 islands (Baki, Bumpetuk, Chepo, Hoong, Mut, Nyangei, Sei and Yele) in the Atlantic Ocean.

We’ll spend two nights camping on these remote tropical islands, which are full of natural beauty, yet very untouched by tourism or indeed, the outside world.

We’ll explore the villages of Baki and Sei, where we’ll meet people from the local community, including some of the local Chiefs (there are many of them) and get a rare glimpse into a very different and traditional way of life.

In our free time, we’ll swim, relax on the beach and enjoy being in the middle of nowhere in a place that has barely changed in hundreds of years – paradise.

At night we’ll watch the glorious night sky (there’s no light pollution here) and see the carbs scuttling along the beach in the moonlight. This will be a true adventure!

• Meals: 2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch & 2 x Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Activities: Boat Trip Around the Islands, Village Tours, Wild Swimming

Day 11 & 12: Banana Islands

You’ll be sad to leave the tranquil Turtle Islands, but we’re sure you’ll love our next destination – the Banana Islands, a popular weekend getway from Freetown.

The Banana Islands are made up of 3 islands – Dublin, Ricketts and Mes-Meheux. We’ll be staying on Dublin, however you will have the chance to visit the other islands if you wish.

Here we’ll take a guided walking tour of the village and see old lamp posts, canons, the island’s first church, and its famous cotton tree at the main wharf.

You can take part in a number of optional activities including a jungle hike, canoeing, kayaking, boat tours, snorkelling, spearfishing, humpback whale watching (August to December), scuba diving and various watersports such as water skiing, wakeboarding and ringo rides!

Or you can just relax on the beach whilst the palm trees sway, it’s totally up to you! Last time we were here, we got invited to a boat launch, got baptized by a local vicar and partied at a local bar – so who knows what may happen.

The people of Dublin are very hospitable so you may not want to leave!

• Meals: 2 x Breakfast, 1 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner
• Accommodation: Glamping Tents (Non-Ensuite)
• Activities: Historical Walking Tour

Day 13 & 14: Freetown Peninsula

From the Turtle Islands, we’ll head to our penultimate destination of Tokeh Beach on the Freetown Peninsular.

We’ll be staying at THE TOP hotel in Sierra Leone, located on a beautiful beach. It’s also only a short walk or boat ride away from the famous River No. 2 beach which is a fun local hotspot, very beautiful and run by the local community.

This is the perfect place to unwind, soak in mesmerizing sunsets, and indulge in the freshest seafood and refreshing coconut water.

Whilst we’re here, we’ll take a tour to visit the different beaches along the coast, but there will also be some free time to take part in some of the activities on offer such as surfing, snorkelling, massages, swimming and windsurfing.

• Meals: 2 x Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: Peninsula Beach Tour

Day 15: Freetown

After a leaisurely breakfast, we’ll head back to Freetown where you can finish up your souvenir shopping or take a wander down famous Lumley Beach.

In the evening, we’ll grab a sundowner on Lumley Beach and toast to new friends and great adventures as we enjoy a farewell meal.

The rest of the night is free to get an early night before the journey home or you can enjoy the Freetown nightlife.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: Goodbye Dinner

Day 16: Departure Day

Today is always a sad day as we say goodbye to our new friends, but the memories and shared experiences of Sierra Leone will last a lifetime!

We can arrange your transfer to Freetown International Airport or you can continue your Africa travels from there.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: None
• Activities: None

Tour Details

Want to come to Sierra Leone?

Ready to book your place on this incredible trip? Then click the button below to book! Or see the full itinerary on the website here.

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Want to ask some questions? Send me a message using the form below. And if you want to arrange a call, let me know – I’d love to chat!

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