Sierra Leone tours & holidays

The best time to visit Sierra Leone is during the dry season, from November to April.

The country is warm and humid all year, which is great for beach lovers, but when you go will shape your trip. In the dry season, days are sunny and great for lounging on the white-sand and golden beaches, hiking in the lush interior and spotting wildlife in national parks. It’s also the easiest time to travel around the country, with roads in better conditions and skies staying clear for boat trips and outdoor adventures.

December and January are especially popular – it's hot, but not overwhelmingly so, and everything from the beaches to the forests is accessible. If you visit a bit later, in January or February, you’ll hit Harmattan season, when dry winds from the Sahara roll in. During this time, just expect hazier skies and a bit of dust in the air.

The wet season (May to October) brings green landscapes and a break from the heat, but heavy rains – especially in July and August – can make travel tricky, with the chance of flooded roads and limited access to parks and islands. If you don’t mind a little rain, September and October offer a nice balance with fewer tourists, fresh landscapes and the tail end of the rainy season.

Sierra Leone is a country of natural beauty, with golden beaches, clear waters and landscapes that stretch from the coast to the mountains. The Freetown peninsula is one of the few places along the West African coast where mountains rise right beside the sea, while the rest of the coastline features mangrove swamps, sandy shores and islands.

Inland, the terrain becomes lush and hilly, home to some of the last remaining West African rainforests where endangered pygmy hippos and western chimpanzees still live. The country has 21 national parks and reserves, protecting wildlife like elephants, leopards, lions and countless bird species. And if you’re by the coast in October or November, you might even spot migrating humpback whales gliding through the waves.

1. Freetown Peninsula

The Freetown Peninsula is where the country’s history and natural beauty meet. Start your day exploring lively local markets and meaningful landmarks like King’s Yard Gate, where freed slaves once walked to freedom. Then, you’ve got the coast right there with crystal-clear waters, like Lumley Beach, showcasing why Sierra Leone is one of the top beach destinations in all of Africa.

2. Banana Islands

Just a short boat ride from Freetown, the Banana Islands are a beautiful and easy escape for a day trip or overnight stay. With quiet beaches, forests and a touch of history – including an old church, a slave-trading dock and cannons from a Portuguese shipwreck – there's plenty to explore. Wander through caves and ruins or just enjoy the peaceful island vibe.  

3. Outamba-Kilimi National Park

If you’re into nature and wildlife, Sierra Leone is a great place to visit – specifically, the Outamba-Kilimi National Park. You can explore on foot or by canoe, which makes spotting animals like chimpanzees, forest elephants, hippos and even leopards feel way more personal and exciting. The mix of savannah, forest and river landscapes make for a peaceful yet wild adventure. 

4. Tiwai Island

Tiwai Island is a community-led wildlife sanctuary known as the ‘Land of the Apes’ and for good reason. It’s home to western chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and other incredible species, all living in a dense, untouched forest that makes you feel worlds away. You can take a boat cruise along the Moa River, then join a guided night walk to experience the island’s wild side after dark.  

5. Kenema

Kenema offers a unique, hands-on glimpse into the country’s diamond heritage. You can visit the local SK Mining Office to meet the owners and learn about the history and impact of diamond mining in this region. Then head out to the diamond fields – where community members still work on the land – and even try your hand at sifting for diamonds yourself. A great way to know a country and its culture is through its people, making experiences like this more meaningful.  

Sierra Leone has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence showing early human settlements long before foreign influence. Over the centuries, it has seen waves of different peoples, eventually becoming a key point in the transatlantic slave trade, and later a British colony in 1808. The country party became a home for freed slaves and gained independence in 1961. Despite going through a civil war from 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone has been rebuilding with a strong focus on peace and progress.

Culturally, it’s incredibly vibrant – traditional societies like Poro and Sande guide young people through educational rites of passage, while music, dance and colourful ceremonies are woven into every day life. Each region has its own unique dance styles and carved wooden masks, especially in the south, where woodwork and cloth weaving also play key cultural and economic roles.

Modern arts like painting, writing and poetry are present alongside deep traditional roots. Sports like football (soccer) are hugely popular and events like the Lantern Festival blend art, history and religion into annual celebrations. The National Dance Troupe brings all of this to the world stage, showing Sierra Leone’s traditions and heritage through song and dance.

The official currency of Sierra Leone is the Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL). 

Major credit cards are not widely accepted. Only some shops, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists in Freetown accept credit cards (Visa only).  

There are some ATMs (Visa only) in Freetown and a few other towns, but they are not reliable, so it is not recommended to rely on these for accessing funds. We recommend bringing enough USD or SLL to cover your purchases during the trip.  

Speak with your local tour leader before exchanging currency on the street. Since exchange rates are fluid, they can help you find the best rate.