Sierra Leone Explorer Tour

Day 1 – Welcome to Sierra Leone
On your arrival at the Lungi International Airport, you will be met and assisted at the airport before transferred to Freetown via a boat. Check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day/evening is free to relax after your journey.
Overnight at the Country Lodge Hotel or similar (D)

Day 2 – Freetown City Tour and Tacugama
This morning, you will depart the hotel for a city tour. We will be visiting the Railway Museum, Old Fourah Bay College, and Cotton tree, Peace and Cultural Monument, National Museum, Peace Museum, Gate Way to the Kings Yard and more. Later in the day we will head to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is located about 40 minutes from the centre of Freetown. This is an ecotourism site that is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abandoned chimps. The Sanctuary was set up in 1995 and the chimps enjoy the semi-wildlife within the 100-acre reserve.
Overnight at the Country Lodge Hotel or similar (BLD)

Day 3 – Bunce Island and Tasso Island
Today, you will visit Bunce Island, which was the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa. Founded around 1670, it exported tens of thousands of African captives to North America and the West Indies until the British Parliament finally closed it down in 1807. The rice-growing skills of Africans from the west coast commanded high prices from rice plantation owners in North America.
(4 hours 30-minute return boat ride plus tour). Later we will also visit Tasso Island. This beautiful, peaceful island is 4 miles square and sits in the middle of the Sierra Leone River Estuary, only an hour by boat from Freetown.
Overnight at the Country Lodge Hotel or similar (BLD)

Day 4 - Freetown to Boma
This morning we will leave Freetown to travel to Tiwai Island by way of the Tiwai heritage trail. We make a stop at Boma village which is located down the Moa River from Tiwai. This community is unique among the eight others on the trail as it is the only one that has a woman as a chief. Legend has it that a 'Genie' made a prophecy that if Boma was to be prosperous, then the town chief must be female. You will experience the daily lives of the inhabitants as well as their dances and rituals including a visit to the grave of a “giant” where you will learn about the story of an ancient war between dwarves, called “Temui”, and the giants. You will see the Boma Cotton Tree, which protects the village from strong winds and storms. It’s the only Cotton Tree remaining in the surrounding villages, and so is a testament to Boma’s continuing positive relationship with nature.
Overnight at the Kwaanma Eco-Camp (meaning “Far Away”) in Boma village. (BLD)

Day 5 – Tiwai Island
After breakfast, we will walk to Nainiahun along Bush Trails and through the rice, cocoa and Kola nut plantations. We learning about the local way-of-life as we walk. Nainiahun means “Sand Village” in the Mende language, and is the site of artisanal diamond mining, which brings Temne and Mende people together to try their luck in the surrounding swamps. In Nainiahun, you will visit “Kote Wulehun” meaning ‘large stone village’. It is said that community members used to hide there during the tribal wars and that it made them invisible at will. It is a truly fascinating place. After taking your shoes off as a sign of respect, you will venture into this mystical place, that is home to porcupines, bats and other local wildlife. The area is protected by traditional decree and is a great example of a conservation project based in traditional belief. The Nainiahun elders will share stories of elves, invisibility spells and powerful rituals before carrying out a libation pouring ceremony to protect you on your onward journey. Following this mystical encounter, you can rest and enjoy a locally sourced meal under the shade of the palm trees before continuing on foot to the banks of the Moa River. Here a boat will take you to Tiwai Island. Take in the spectacular views of Tiwai Island and the neighbouring mainland, look out for monkeys jumping between the trees, learn about some of the 135 species of birds and, of course, watch out for the occasional crocodile. Late afternoon, there will be an opportunity to head out into the dense rainforest to track chimpanzees and observe endangered species of monkey in their natural habitat.
Overnight at Tiwai Island (BLD)

Day 6 – Tiwai Island to Tokeh
Early this morning you will head out to the dense jungle forest to observe chimpanzees or other monkey species. We will then depart Tiwai Island, heading back to Freetown and onwards to Tokeh. Tokeh lies approximately twenty miles east of Freetown and we will stay here for the next couple of nights.
Overnight at The Place Resort (BLD)

Day 7 – Tokeh
The Tokeh beach is one of the largest and most attractive beaches in West Africa. Tokeh is also known for its mountains, forests, resort hotels, and nearby Tokeh Island, an uninhabited island a short boat ride from Tokeh town. The day is spent relaxing or you have an option to take a scenic walk (25 minutes) on the white sandy beach for relaxation.
Overnight at The Place Resort (BLD)

Day 8 – Goodbye to Sierra Leone
At a suitable time, you will be collected and transfer back to the airport for your international flight. Leave having experienced the best of Sierra Leone and having made memories that will last a lifetime.