Sierra Leone Made Simple

Visit the tropical rainforest at Tiwai Island, one of Sierra Leone’s natural history highlights.

Surrounded by the wide Moa River, you'll find yourself immersed in the Upper Guinea forest ecosystem. Most visitors manage to see some of the species of forest-dependent monkeys for which the area is best known, along with rainforest-dependent birds. High on the list for visiting mammal watchers are the endangered western red colobus and the equally endangered, striking Diana guenon. Night walks can deliver some interesting and rare species too.

After a lunch stop at Bo, you'll arrive in Tiwai in the mid-to-late afternoon.

During an afternoon or early evening boat trip up the Mao River, you can enjoy spectacular views of Tiwai Island and the neighbouring mainland. Keep an eye open for monkeys and some of the 135 species of birds, as well as the occasional crocodile.

In the evening, the camp staff will cook a superb dinner for you.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walk in the forest of Tiwai Island.

With luck, you'll see forest-dwelling monkeys such as Upper Guinea red colobus and Diana monkey as well as some birds such as the piping hornbill and many species of butterflies.

Departing after an early lunch, take a boat transfer back to the mainland and explore the culture in the rural villages of Kambama and nearby Nianiahun. You'll be shown sites of traditional sacrifice, meeting points for the ceremonies held by village elders, birth ceremonial sites and the ‘blood stream’ hiding place for knives and weapons of ancient warriors.

In the late afternoon, take a stroll into the forest to seek more wildlife. We recommend a second night walk after dark to try to encounter some more of the scarce, nocturnally active species which have been recorded from the area.

After breakfast, depart Tiwai Island and head to Freetown via Bo.

If you wish, you can also have lunch in Bo before continuing to Freetown.

You're then taken to Kent Village to catch a motorised boat to Banana Island, where you'll enjoy an overnight stay in the simple, friendly Bafa Resort.

Enjoy the relaxed ambience in this lovely corner of the country. Optional activities include hiking, snorkelling and a scenic boat trip around the island.

After breakfast, depart Banana Island for Tokeh with a stop at Bureh Beach to meet the residents at Beach Surf Club and have a seafood lunch.

Then depart for Tokeh, a small coastal village on the Western Area Peninsula, where you'll find one of Sierra Leone's loveliest beaches. Backed by lush, forested mountains, the beach makes for a wonderful place in which to relax.

Alternatively, you can chill out by the pool. Overnight at The Place Resort, with breakfast.

Enjoy your morning relaxing at the beach.

This afternoon, you'll be taken back to Freetown to stay overnight in the Home Suites Boutique Hotel, with breakfast included.

After a sightseeing trip, which can include some shopping today, you'll be transferred back to the airport in time to check in prior to the departure of your overnight Brussels Airlines flight back to Brussels.

On arrival in Brussels Airport, remain air side and connect with the Brussels Airlines flight back to London Heathrow.