Sierra Leone Adventure: History, Culture & Nature

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Discover the wild beauty, rich culture and complex history of Sierra Leone on this eight-day adventure. Hear traditional stories around the campfire in the Boma Community Village, learn about Sierra Leone’s slave trade history in Freetown and sift for diamonds in Kenema.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (3), Dinner (2)
Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights), Camping (basic facilities) (1 night), Research Centre (1 night), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Highlights

Explore Freetown’s lively streets and markets, then visit Bunce Island to learn its slave trade history and the resilience of Sierra Leone's people.
Head to Boma Community Village and meet one of the few female chiefs in the country. Help plant or harvest rice, then join the locals for traditional storytelling and dancing around the campfire.
Visit Kenema and gain a deeper understanding of Sierra Leone’s diamond heritage and its ties to the community. Try your hand at sifting for stones, then sit down with miners over lunch to hear firsthand about their work and daily lives.
Set off on a river cruise down the Moa River, winding past lush jungle and into the remote wilderness of Tiwai Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site alive with untamed nature and wildlife.
Unwind on the Banana Islands, a cluster of lush isles off Yawri Bay. Walk shaded forest trails, wander along golden beaches, and soak up the wild beauty of Sierra Leone’s coast.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle, Boat

Guide Language

English

Starts

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Finishes

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Freetown

Cush! Welcome to Sierra Leone. Your adventure begins with a 6 pm welcome meeting in Freetown. If you arrive early, maybe visit the cotton tree (a symbol of freedom in the heart of the town) or simply relax at Lumley Beach. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your group – a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Freetown

This morning, set out on a city tour of Freetown with your local leader. Freetown is a major port city and the capital of Sierra Leone. Wander through the local market and visit important sites involved in the brutal transatlantic slave trade like the King’s Yard Gate on the waterfront, where former slaves walked to freedom. After, journey to Bunce Island where you’ll visit the slave fort and learn about the history of the country. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your group before settling into your accommodation for the night.

Included Activities:

Freetown - City Tour
Bunce Island - Guided Tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Boma Village

Say goodbye to Freetown as you travel to Boma Community Village. When you arrive, you’ll meet the chief (one of the few female chiefs in the country) who will welcome you to the community. Then, take a short walk through the village and learn about the importance of rice and the community working together. Rice is pivotal for the entire population – there’s a local saying that if your meal does not include rice, you haven’t actually eaten! After, join the community members and help with either the planting or harvesting of the rice fields (depending on the time of year). Later, walk down to the campsite, built by the community, where you’ll spend the night. Join some of the locals by the fire tonight to learn traditional dances such as the Devil Dance.

Included Activities:

Boma Village - Fireside Story Telling & Traditional Dancing
Boma Village - Rice Farming

Accommodation:

Camping (basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Tiwai Island

Travel to Tiwai Island, a community-led wildlife sanctuary known as the “Land of the Apes.” The island is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and other species, though sightings are rare due to the impact of past hunting and conflict. What makes Tiwai special is the sense of wilderness: towering trees, dense forest and the feeling of being far removed from the outside world. This afternoon, take in the scenery on a boat cruise along the Moa River before joining a community-led night walk through the forest to experience the island after dark.

Included Activities:

Tiwai Island - Boat Cruise
Tiwai Island - Night Forest Walk

Accommodation:

Research Centre (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Kenema

This morning, set off on a forest walk through the heart of the Upper Guinea Forest before boarding a boat to Kenema. When you arrive, stop in at the local SK Mining Office where you’ll meet the owners and learn about diamond mining and its history and significance. From there, you’ll make your way to one of the diamond fields. Walk through the fields with community members who are still mining in the region. Try your hand at sifting for diamonds before heading to lunch with the miners. This afternoon is free for you to explore Kenema at your own pace. Your leader can give you their recommendations on the best markets or local restaurant options for dinner.

Included Activities:

Tiwai Island - Morning Forest Walk
Kenema - Diamond Mine Visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Banana Islands

Depart Kenema this morning and travel to the Banana Islands – a group of islands that lie off the coast of Yawri Bay. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Dublin Island and see the ruins of a historic church or simply relax at the beach.

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Banana Islands

Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Maybe go swimming in the cool clear waters or walk along the stone causeway to Ricketts – one of the three islands (along with Dublin and Mes-Meheux) that make up the Banana Islands. Tonight, perhaps head out for dinner with your group – a perfect way to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Accommodation:

Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Freetown

Say goodbye to the beautiful Banana Islands and return to the bustling metropolis of Freetown. On arrival, you’ll be dropped at your finishing point hotel (see the Essential Trip Information for details). If you would like to extend your stay in Freetown, please speak with your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,290

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 29 Oct 2026

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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