Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is still recovering from a decade-long civil war. As part of its rehabilitation it is trying to revitalize its tourist industry to once again draw visitors to some of the most scenic beaches in West Africa.

Sierra Leone was established in 1787 by British abolitionists and philanthropists as a new home for freed and repatriated slaves. It was made an official colony in 1808 as the British declared Freetown the capital and Sierra Leone as a British protectorate. After gaining independence in 1961, Siaka Stevens was overthrown but then reinstated, presiding over a single-party state. He stepped down in 1985, handing over to Maj Gen Joseph Momoh. He took over as the economy was in a tailspin. In the meantime, civil war broke out in neighboring Liberia. A small band of rebels in the early 1990s crossed the border and mounted a guerrilla insurgency against the Momoh government in the name of the Revolutionary United Front. Momoh was overthrown in a coup in 1992 and various other governments followed. The civil war claimed tens of thousands of lives, mostly civilians, by the time it ended in 2002. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah won elections that helped consolidate the country’s peace.

Sierra Leone is home to 6.1 million people. The official language is English, although Krio, Mende and other African languages are also spoken. Sierra Leoneans for the most part practice Islam, but Christianity and other indigenous beliefs are also followed. There are more than 20 ethnic groups in the country as well as a sizeable Lebanese population. Food is important aspect of Sierra Leonean culture. Thick sauce-like soups are prepared from ground leaves and it is prepared with chicken, fish, or other kinds meat and is usually accompanied by rice. Sierra Leone is renown for its fabrics, which are colored indigo, brown or green, or tie-dyed or batik-printed.

The capital, Freetown, still has some remnants of colonial architecture despite the civil war. There are a number of beaches near the city, including Lumley Beach. Fishing and snorkeling can be done off the Banana Islands. Inland, just outside of the town of Kenma is the Kmbui Hills Forest Reserve. About 40 km east of Kenema is the Gola Forest Reserve, which has several unique species of birds and animals. South of Kenema is the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary on a small island in the Moa River. In northern Sierra Leone is Mt Bintumani, where several species of monkeys and chimpanzees reside. It is possible to hike to the top of the mountain.

Direct flights to Sierra Leone are available from London, but other flights out of Abidjan, Accra and Banjul are all available through Ghana Airways, KLM, Gambia International Airlines, and a smaller local airline company called Weasua. Renting a car is a viable option, but the most cost-efficient method of getting around Sierra Leone is by taxi.

Among places to stay in the capital, Freetown, is the five-star Hotel Kimbima. It has spacious guest rooms complete with balconies. The resort also has a fitness facility, a restaurant and bar, and a swimming pool. Also available is the Bintumani Hotel, which has a large casino and a breathtaking view of the city.