Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Freetown
You'll land at Lungi International Airport where tour reps will meet you. From there, take a scenic boat ride across the Sierra Leone River to Freetown. The capital sits right on the coast and you'll have the rest of the day to walk around, grab food, and get settled into your accommodations.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Freetown on your own
Landmarks/POIs Lungi International Airport Sierra Leone River - Day 2
Freetown
Start the morning at Old Fourah Bay College sitting on top of Mount Aureol (the college was founded back in 1827). From there, head to the Cotton Tree, which has been a freedom symbol since the late 1700s. Check out the Sierra Leone National Museum and Peace Museum, then walk through Big Market to see how locals shop and live. Grab lunch at Way Li Restaurant before visiting the State House and Parliament Building. Later, join a hands-on cooking class at Treat Food Concept with chef Susan Senesi where you'll learn to make authentic Sierra Leonean dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Sierra Leonean lunch at Way Li Restaurant), Dinner (Home-cooked meal prepared during cooking class at Treat Food Concept)
Included Activities
- Visit Old Fourah Bay College
- See Cotton Tree
- Visit Peace and Cultural Monument
- Explore Sierra Leone National Museum
- Visit Peace Museum
- Explore Gate Way to the King's Yard
- Wander Big Market
- View State House
- Guided tour of Parliament Building
- Hands-on home cooking class at Treat Food Concept with Chef Susan Senesi
Landmarks/POIs Old Fourah Bay College Mount Aureol Cotton Tree Peace and Cultural Monument Sierra Leone National Museum Peace Museum Gate Way to the King's Yard Big Market State House Parliament Building - Day 3
Sugar Loaf Mountain and Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
You'll start early for a 3 to 4 hour hike up Sugar Loaf Mountain (727 meters/2,385 feet) to take in views of Freetown and the landscape around it. After that, travel about 40 minutes to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary where you can watch rescued chimpanzees living semi-wild in their 100-acre rainforest home. That evening, sleep in eco-lodge chalets in the trees and drift off to the sounds of nature all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast overlooking the lush rainforest), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Sugar Loaf Mountain
- Visit Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Landmarks/POIs Sugar Loaf Mountain Western Area Forest Reserve Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Day 4
Makeni and Rogbonko Village
Travel from Tacugama to Makeni and watch the countryside change as you go. Once there, explore the markets and historical sites around town. Then head to the village of Rogbonko to experience real rural life where you'll meet the village chief, take part in traditional ceremonies, learn cooking and basket weaving, and talk with locals about how they live. You'll return to Makeni for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Makeni with markets and historical landmarks
- Visit Rogbonko village
- Meet village chief and traditional ceremony
- Learn traditional cooking
- Learn basket weaving
Landmarks/POIs Makeni Rogbonko Village - Day 5
Kabala and Wara Wara Mountains
Head to Kabala, which sits in the Wara Wara Mountains. Hike through the foothills to see panoramic views, find hidden waterfalls, and take in the scenery. Visit a local cotton weaver to see how they turn raw cotton into bright textiles. Back in town, have dinner and then watch a folklore and cultural dance show with traditional drummers and colorful costumes that celebrate Sierra Leone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Wara Wara Mountains foothills
- Visit local cotton weaver
- Folklore and cultural dance performance
Optional Activities
- Try your hand at the loom at local cotton weaver's workshop
Landmarks/POIs Wara Wara Mountains Kabala - Day 6
Boma Village and Kwaanma Eco-Camp
Travel to the village of Boma along the Moa River near Nainiati (Sand Island). This place is unique because it's led by a female chief (fulfilling an old genie's prophecy). You'll see daily village life, watch dances and rituals, visit the grave site of a legendary giant, and check out the sacred Boma Cotton Tree. Sleep at Kwaanma Eco-Camp (the name means 'Far Away') and connect with the quiet Sierra Leonean countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Boma village
- Meet female village chief
- Experience village dances and rituals
- Visit grave site with folklore of giants and dwarves
- See Boma Cotton Tree
Landmarks/POIs Boma Village Moa River Nainiati (Sand Island) Boma Cotton Tree - Day 7
Nainiahun, Kote Wulehun, and Tiwai Island
Walk along bush trails to Nainiahun (Sand Village), passing through rice paddies and cocoa plantations. Stop at Kote Wulehun (Large Stone Village), a heritage site with ancient rock formations. Join a libation ceremony with the Nainiahun elders and eat a meal made from local ingredients. Later, boat upriver to Tiwai Island watching for pygmy hippos, monkeys, and crocodiles. In the evening, track chimpanzees and endangered monkeys through the rainforest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients under shade of swaying palm trees), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic walk to Nainiahun village
- Visit Kote Wulehun heritage site
- Libation ceremony with local elders
- Boat journey on Moa River to Tiwai Island
- Evening rainforest trek tracking chimpanzees and endangered monkeys
Landmarks/POIs Nainiahun Kote Wulehun (Large Stone Village) Moa River Tiwai Island - Day 8
Banana Island
Leave Tiwai Island and boat across to Banana Island from Kent Beach. See remains of Portuguese structures from the 1800s and learn about the island's history shaped by the Krio people (descendants of freed slaves). Walk through lively local communities and experience the warm hospitality. Stay at Bafa Resort in teepee-style tents overlooking the beach surrounded by green plants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat journey to Banana Island
- Explore Banana Island villages and Krio culture
- Visit Bafa Resort
Landmarks/POIs Banana Island Kent Beach - Day 9
River No. 2
After a week of traveling and exploring, relax at River No. 2, a coastal spot with sand and clear water. Swim in the ocean, walk down the beach, and let the peaceful atmosphere ease away tension. Check into Estuary Resort for a comfortable night in this quiet place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relax and unwind at River No. 2 beach
- Swimming in the ocean
- Beach stroll
Landmarks/POIs River No. 2 - Day 10
Bunce Island and Tasso Island
Depart Tokeh by boat along the Sierra Leone River to Bunce Island, where the largest British slave castle on the West African Rice Coast sits (built around 1670). Walk through the ruins and take time to think about the difficult history of the slave trade and what it means. Then travel to Tasso Island, a quiet place with clean beaches and plants where you can reflect on what you learned today.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat journey along Sierra Leone River
- Visit Bunce Island slave castle ruins
- Visit Tasso Island
Landmarks/POIs Bunce Island Tasso Island Sierra Leone River - Day 11
Departure
Your last day starts with breakfast. You'll have free time in Freetown to do what you want before catching the sea-coach back to Lungi Airport for your international flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Free time in Freetown to explore or rest
Landmarks/POIs Lungi International Airport
