Visiting Sierra Leone? Here Are 16 Best Things To Know

The war also caused the displacement of more than 2 million people – around one-third of Sierra Leone’s population at the time. Sierra Leone has a simple horizontally striped green, white and blue flag. Established in 1670, Bunce Island, an uninhabited island located around 20 miles up the Sierra Leone River from Freetown, was one of more than sixty slave-trading forts on the West African coast. Sierra Leone is located in West Africa on the Atlantic coast and bordered by Guinea and Liberia. The most interesting facts about Sierra Leone, from a history intertwined with slavery to a giant cotton tree in its capital city. First local elections in more than three decades; war crimes trials begin into atrocities committed by both sides during the fighting.

Groups of photographers and models would meet up in photo studios or venture out into nature on interracial photo excursions, called Camera Clubs beginning 1950s in Chicago and New York. The term pin-up comes from how the images are used — pinned to a wall, without formality to be cherished immediately. The origins of pin-up aesthetic dates back to the Gibson Girl of the late 1800s — Since then idealized woman of the moment has constantly changed with the times, influenced by entertainment, and technology. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. I focus on places that spark awe…whether it’s a remote alpine lake, a hidden glamping dome, or a culturally immersive retreat. I’ve been featured in major publications including Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo Travel, The Boston Globe, and more.

As of 19 October 2014, there had been 3,706 cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone, and 1,259 deaths, including that of the leading physician trying to control the outbreak, Sheik Umar Khan. Compared to the 2000 survey access has increased in urban areas, but has declined in rural areas, possibly because facilities have broken down because of a lack of maintenance. Only 20% of the urban population and 1% of the rural population had access to piped drinking water in their home. Those with access in rural areas were served almost exclusively by protected wells. According to a national survey carried out in 2006, 84% of the urban population and 32% of the rural population had access to an improved water source. Despite efforts by the government and numerous non-governmental organisations, access has not much improved since the end of the Sierra Leone Civil War in 2002, stagnating at about 50% and even declining in rural areas.

Arts & Culture

After the Berlin Conference of 1884–85, the British decided to establish more dominion over the inland areas, to satisfy what the European powers called “effective occupation”. For more than a century, it was the only European-style university in west Sub-Saharan Africa. The British established Fourah Bay College in 1827, which became a magnet for English-speaking Africans on the West Coast. European missionaries established these schools with an agenda to convert the native people to their religion, but the educational efforts did not relate to local needs. One of their most significant contributions was the establishment of schools for West African children. The CMS missionaries were to introduce Western ideals, including Western education and healthcare.

A small number of Sierra Leoneans are of partial or full Lebanese ancestry, descendants of traders who first came to the territory in the 19th century. The Sherbro are virtually all Christians, and their paramount chiefs had a history of intermarriage with British colonists and traders. The Loko in the north are native people of Sierra Leone, believed to have lived in Sierra Leone since the time of European encounter. The Oku people are the descendants of liberated Muslim Yorubas from Southwest Nigeria, who were resettled in Sierra Leone as Liberated Africans or came as settlers in the mid-19th century.

However, since it’s an official entry requirement, you’ll need it to comply with regulations and I wouldn’t chance it. Remember, the Yellow Fever vaccine takes about 10 days to become effective, so if you don’t have it yet, be sure to plan ahead. Most visitors to Sierra Leone need a visa to enter unless they are from one of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African State) countries.

You’re Going to Need a Bigger Bag

It exists, but it’s far from the polished, well-trodden paths you’ll find in other parts of Africa. Gently blow it off or pick it up carefully, then wash the area immediately with soap and water to reduce the risk of irritation. The sting isn’t immediate – it develops over a couple of days. If you accidentally brush against or squish one on your skin (as I did), it releases a chemical called pederin, which can cause a nasty burn. Other names I’ve heard it called include ‘Dragon Bug’ and ‘Acid Bug’ – see where I’m going with this? There is a small creature in Sierra Leone called the ‘Champion’.

English is widely spoken

Dozens of soldiers loyal to Momoh were arrested, including Colonel Kahota M. Dumbuya and Major Yayah Turay. After an alleged attempt to overthrow Momoh in March 1987, more than 60 senior government officials were arrested, including Vice-President Francis Minah, who was convicted of plotting the coup and executed by hanging in 1989. A general election was called later that year in which corruption was again endemic; the APC won 74 seats and the SLPP 15. In the 1972 by-elections, the opposition SLPP complained of intimidation and procedural obstruction by the APC and militia.

1 week is a good amount of time to see a lot that Sierra Leone has to offer, including Freetown, the surrounding beaches and islands, plus some of the nearby wildlife destinations too, such as Tiwai Island. Although most locals don’t take prophylaxis, it’s important that visitors from non-malaria endemic countries do – we have known many travelers and expats to become dangerously ill from malaria due to a lack of past exposure. So many times you hear that is something that “white people do”, but it’s not! In the 1790s, the Settlers, including adult women, voted for the first time in elections. To get from the airport to central Freetown, it’s then best to take the ferry service, which is timed to run with arriving flights.

And if it’s more wildlife you’re after, or you want to experience a bit more comfort during your time in this country, one of the top things to do in Sierra Leone is to visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. But now it’s time to head off the mainland and away to some of the islands that scatter the Freetown peninsula on this list of the best things to do in Sierra Leone. And after all that city sightseeing (which, let’s face it, is usually a rather sweaty affair in this part of the world!), it’s time to relax with an evening drink. I think it’s fair to say that Sierra Leone is not a popular travel destination, but that doesn’t mean there’s an amazing wealth of epic things to do here!

Where is Sierra Leone located?

A pin-up girl https://gonzagalawreview.com/ is a fashion model or actress whose mass produced pictures became popular from the mid 20th century. With a population of 7,866,475 and a total land area of 27,869 square miles, the nation has a very long history which can be traced back to the time of its first inhabitants some 25,000 years ago. The island’s true treasures are its isolated beaches with powdery white sand and crystal waters.

Peace Process

Although fees can be high and it can be time-consuming! When you do manage to get money, the process can be quite slow, as you’re limited in the number of notes you can withdraw at one time. For those who prefer a more secure option, banks, hotels and authorised money exchange services can provide legitimate currency exchange, albeit sometimes at less favourable rates. Given these challenges, it’s often easier to carry cash – Leones and Dollars for payments, and USD, Euros, and GBP (in that order) for exchange—rather than relying on ATMs. Other major languages include Mende and Temne, spoken by the two largest tribes, along with several regional languages. You can pay this fee in cash at any of the banks located at the airport when you arrive or depart.

This small archipelago offers the kind of untouched beaches that vacation dreams are made of. From the pristine beaches of River Number Two to the lush landscapes of Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone is packed with stunning scenery. Finally, the Atlantic Ocean coastal area has everything from mangroves, swampland to relaxed sandy beaches and the Sierra Leone Harbor. Whereas the north is part of the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, which is a World Wildlife Fund ecoregion.

• Lucky visitors might glimpse forest elephants, chimpanzees, or the elusive pygmy hippopotamus.
• On 18 April 1968 a group of low-ranking soldiers in the Sierra Leone Army who called themselves the Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement (ACRM), led by Brigadier General John Amadu Bangura, overthrew the NRC junta.
• Sierra Leone maintains membership in several international organisations, including the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth of Nations, among others.
• The two largest mosques in Sierra Leone are the Freetown Central Mosque and the Ghadafi Central Mosque, both located in the capital Freetown.
• It blends pristine beaches with fascinating colonial history.

Packing smartly is key to a good trip

In fact, having more children is regarded as a boon. In rural areas, polygynous families are not uncommon. However, women in rural areas engage in numerous agricultural activities like planting, weeding, harvesting, gathering wood, etc. In recent years, sports fishing and scuba diving have gained popularity. The team has participated in several international football competitions including the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.

Sometimes the simplest pleasures create the deepest memories. This pristine stretch combines white powder sand with dramatic mountain backdrops. The island hosts 11 primate species, including endangered pygmy hippopotamuses and Diana monkeys.

• This small archipelago offers the kind of untouched beaches that vacation dreams are made of.
• To be totally transparent, I actually don’t eat fish (shout out to my fellow veggies), but my co-travellers in Sierra Leone were mad for it and told me it was some of the best they’ve ever eaten.
• These Liberated Africans or recaptives were sold for $20 a head as apprentices to the white settlers, Nova Scotian Settlers, and the Jamaican Maroons.

European trading

At about the same time (following the Slave Trade Act 1807 which abolished the slave trade), Royal Navy crews delivered thousands of formerly enslaved Africans to Freetown, after liberating them from illegal slave ships. Black settlers in Sierra Leone enjoyed much more autonomy than their white equivalent in European countries. The settlers that remained forcibly captured land from a local African chieftain, but he retaliated, attacking the settlement, which was reduced to a mere 64 settlers comprising 39 black men, 19 black women, and six white women. When the ships left them in September, they had been reduced to “276 persons, namely 212 black men, 30 black women, 5 white men and 29 white women”.

Things that I learned the hard way… so you don’t have to. It’s not the easiest destination to navigate – there’s limited tourism infrastructure, the roads are generally terrible (outside of the main tourist areas) and it’s truly off the beaten track. Even 6 years later, it’s still a little visited destination (although I reckon that will change in the coming years). Don’t miss the opportunity of hanging at one (or many) beaches when visiting Sierra Leone. The best is probably Tiwai Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Moa River. Running water and electricity are commodities we are accustomed to in our home countries, but don’t necessarily come without saying in Sierra Leone, outside of the capital.

Written literature in Sierra Leone has a more recent history but was severely affected during the civil war that lasted from 1991 until 2002. Homemade ginger beer is a popular non-alcoholic beverage. These former slaves were called “Nova Scotians” as before settling in West Africa they had traveled to the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia after leaving the southern United States. Staff is also committed to educating locals and tourists alike about these endangered primates and twice a day, visitors can tour the sanctuary. Founded in 1995, Sierra Leone is home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary located in the rain forest of the Western Area National Park which comprises an area of some 100 acres of land. Although they are consumed for their protein by an array of native groups living in Western Africa, due to their large size these land snails have also become somewhat popular as pets in the west.

Tiwai Island

Sierra Leone has a painful history – but its people know how to celebrate life. Let’s take a quick look into the history of The World Factbook. Let’s go through this long and fascinating history of the pin-up girl. When most of us think about Pin-up Girls, your mind most likely goes to vintage vixens from World War II, and the famous women who made the genre popular. Despite the War-time economy, women were encouraged to keep buying lipsticks and to send letters to the front, covered in lipstick-kisses to boost the moral of the soldiers. Both the extended family and the community participate in the upbringing of children.

As a solo traveller, that wouldn’t have been possible for me as it’s very expensive due to the complex logistics involved. But they all have jobs to do and aren’t there to entertain you the whole time, so you may find yourself a little lonely, especially during the evenings. But if you’re a pretty intrepid traveller who likes alone time, then you might love travelling solo in Sierra Leone.

The national football team of Sierra Leone is called the Leone Stars. Football is the most popular sport in Sierra Leone. Afropop, rap, reggae, Grime, R&B, and Dancehall styles of music and dance are also popular in the country, especially among the youth.

Cash is King, Especially Outside of Freetown

The provincial districts are divided into 186 chiefdoms, which have traditionally been led by paramount chiefs, recognised by the British administration in 1896 at the time of organising the Protectorate of Sierra Leone. In 1995 Defence Headquarters was established, and the Sierra Leone Air Wing was formed. The RSLMF remained a single-service organisation until 1979 when the Sierra Leone Navy was established. It is primarily designed to implement development projects and promote regional economic integration between the four countries. The United Kingdom has played a major role in providing aid to the former colony, together with administrative help and military training since intervening to end the Civil War in 2000. Sierra Leone has good relations with the West, including the United States, and has maintained historical ties with the United Kingdom and other former British colonies through its membership of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Lucky visitors might glimpse forest elephants, chimpanzees, or the elusive pygmy hippopotamus. Discover the vibrant culture and history of Freetown as you stroll through its bustling streets People-watching here becomes its own entertainment as locals and visitors dance to West African beats against spectacular ocean sunset backdrops. The symbolic Cotton Tree in the city center has witnessed centuries of history since returning freed slaves first gathered beneath its branches. Most visitors find themselves extending their stay, captivated by the island’s simple magic.

It’s safer than you think

Sierra Leone is located in western Africa next to the Atlantic Ocean. But at the equivalent tournament in 2006, Division Three of the African region of the World Cricket League, it finished as runner-up to Mozambique, and just missed promotion to Division Two. Many Sierra Leonean youth, children and adults follow the major football leagues in Europe, particularly the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1. The Sierra Leone national football team, popularly known as the Leone Stars, represents the country in international competitions. The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) ran one of the most popular stations in the country, broadcasting programmes in a range of languages. Print media is not widely read in Sierra Leone, especially outside Freetown and other major cities, partially due to the low levels of literacy in the country.

One of the country’s top safari spots, and the first national park in Sierra Leone, you can again see monkeys (10 species including chimpanzees), hippos, birds and even potentially elephants in this epic spot. On the way to Tacugama, don’t miss the epic Leicester Peak lookout which gives amazing views over the whole of Freetown. You can even stay onsite to enjoy hikes and bird watching experiences too if you want to extend your time here. Staying with locals in simple accommodation within the park is the only option here, but it’s a real adventure for those who aren’t scared to rough it a little. If you missed the pygmy hippos in Tiwai, Gola provides your second chance to see them, as well as spot Colobus monkeys, birds (including the rare picathartes), reptiles and creepy crawlies.

What Languages Are Spoken In Sierra Leone?

The settlement of Sierra Leone in the 1800s was unique in that the population was composed of displaced Africans, brought to the colony after the British abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Sierra Leone developed as an educational centre in West Africa, with the establishment of Fourah Bay College in 1827, attracting English-speaking Africans from across the region. Between the 18th and 19th century, freed African Americans, some Americo Liberian “refugees”, and particularly Afro-Caribbeans, mainly Jamaican Maroons, also immigrated and settled in Freetown. These Liberated Africans or recaptives were sold for $20 a head as apprentices to the white settlers, Nova Scotian Settlers, and the Jamaican Maroons.