Sierra Leone is a nation of about six million people that lies in West Africa. The capital city of Freetown has a population of close to a million. Sierra Leone gained its
independence from Great Britain back in 1961. English is still the official language and there are several local dialects spoken. Some of the other major cities and towns are Bo,
Kenema, Koidu Town, Makeni, Magburaka, Port Loko, Kabala, Kailahun, Moyamba, Waterloo, Bonthe, and Kambia.
The tropical climate is hot and humid with dry and wet seasons. The rainy season in the summer lasts from May to October with July and August being the wettest. The coolest time of the
year is from November to February.
The country has more than 300 miles of beautiful coastline that’s filled with palm trees, powdery beaches, flowing hills, mountains, and interesting wildlife sanctuaries. It also
offers a rich mix of culture and history with numerous activities and attractions for visitors. The Atlantic beaches are ideal for all types of water sports and fishing.
The colorful and historic port city of Freetown was founded years ago by traveling sea merchants. About 20 miles out of the city, near the mouth of the Sierra Leone River, you’ll come
across the Bunce Island and its historic fort that was established back in 1670 as a slave-trading center. Freetown has several historical landmarks that relate to this era, such as
the Cotton Tree, the Portuguese Steps and the Slave Gate.
The wildlife is quite diverse and there are several conservation areas to get a closer look at it. Some of the best places to visit are the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, the
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Outamba Kilimi National Park, Tingi Hills, Lake Sonfron, and Mount Bintumani. These places all offer amazing scenery and you’ll be able to see animals
such as chimpanzees, pigmy hippos, and elephants.
When traveling by air you’ll land at the main airport in Freetown and you can get to the city by taxi, bus, and ferry. You can also take a quick helicopter trip there. You can travel
to Sierra Leone by sea and road from Liberia and Guinea Republic. When you’re in the country you can travel around internally by air on private airlines. You can also travel by sea to
all of the coastal port cities. Travel by road is often hard in the rainy season and all of the major towns are serviced by bus. You can also get around the capital of Freetown by
buses and taxis.
The food is very diverse and tasty as it’s a wonderful mixture of English, Lebanese, Armenian, African, and French cuisine. The seafood is fresh from the Atlantic Ocean and some of the
most popular dishes are prawns, lobster, vegetables, and exotic fruit.
Most of the nightlife takes place in Freetown. The city has several nightclubs along with two casinos. You’ll be able to find dancing and local music at many of the hotels in the
Lumley Beach area that’s located in the Cape Sierra region. Some of the beachside bars also put on concerts by local bands.
Sierra Leone is one of Africa’s many hidden gems as it features exotic beaches, national parks, and wildlife along with a rich and interesting history. There are numerous activities
and sites to keep you hopping while visiting.
About Sierra Leone