Sierra Leone tours & holidays

Go beyond the guidebook and into the heart of Sierra Leone
A trip to Sierra Leone will check off all your boxes and some you didn’t even know you had. Like untouched forests you can walk through at night on the lookout for the pygmy hippo or sifting for diamonds with local miners. You’ll get the wildlife, coastline and national parks that travellers often seek, but we’ll add meeting one of the few female chiefs in the country at a village visit and helping to plant or harvest in the rice fields. You’ll join locals by the fire, learn traditional dances and camp out at a site built by the community – because the best way to get to know a place is through its people.
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Explore tailor-made tripsSierra Leone at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Freetown (population 1.3 million)
POPULATION
8.6 million
CURRENCY
Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
LANGUAGE
English (official), Temne, Mende and Krio
TIME ZONE
(GMT) Casablanca
CALLING CODE
+232
ELECTRICITY
Type D (Old British 3-pin) Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)
Learn more about Sierra Leone
Best time to visit Sierra Leone
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.
Geography and environment
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.
Top places to visit in Sierra Leone
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 but specifically its 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.
History and culture
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.
Money matters
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.
Sierra Leone travel FAQs
Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. For more information, please visit the Government of Sierra Leone’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government’s foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
Learn more about travel insurance
At established restaurants a 10 to 15 per cent service charge is usually included in the bill. Where it’s not, 10 per cent is the acceptable gratuity. Although tipping at other places isn't mandatory, it will be much appreciated given the low wages that Leonian service workers are typically paid. Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is also a good idea.
Sierra Leone is a hot and humid country, so we recommend packing lightweight, breathable clothing including cotton t-shirts, shorts and quick-dry pants, plus a light jacket and swimwear for cooler evenings or beach days. If you’re travelling in the rainy season, a waterproof jacket and quick-drying clothes are a must, and waterproof shoes are recommended.
Dressing in neat and clean clothes is a sign of respect in Sierra Leone, so avoid packing ripped or dirty clothing. Modest dress is recommended, such as clothes that cover the knees, stomach and shoulders.
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Sierra Leone. We recommended packing water purification tablets or ask your leader where filtered water can be found.
Internet cafes can be found in Freetown, Bo and Kenema, but connection is usually slow.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Sierra Leone’s larger cities and towns, but less so in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your mobile phone.
Western-style toilets are sometimes available in large hotels, tourist attractions and other modern buildings, though they may not be of the flushable variety. Be prepared for squat toilets, even in major centres, and carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper.
LGBTQIA+ travellers who want to visit Sierra Leone should exercise caution and avoid engaging in public displays of affection. That said, even public displays of affection for hetero couples can raise eyebrows.
Homosexuality is still illegal in Sierra Leone and can be punishable by prison time. The criminalisation of same-sex relationships was acquired from Britain before Sierra Leone was granted independence in 1961 and has not been reviewed since.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.