What to see in Sierra Leone: 10 must-sees

Visit Gola Rainforest National Park, near Kenema, Sierra Leone's most important rainforest. Walk its trails beneath the canopy as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and 330 bird species move through the treetops. Camp on the banks of the Gola River and wake to the call of turacos at dawn. Local guides organize hiking routes and birdwatching outings year-round. Here, in one of the last untouched forests of West Africa, wildlife conservation remains a daily and visible task.

The 90 rescued chimpanzees living in semi-freedom in the rainforest of the Freetown hills, inside the Tacugama National Park sanctuary. Walk the trails through the humid vegetation, watch the primates from the viewing platforms, and visit the education center to learn how the conservation team works. Spend time birdwatching and hiking the wooded slopes, where the noise of the city disappears and the only sounds are the calls of chimpanzees among the trees.

Stroll along the shores of Lake Sonfon, a sacred 200-hectare stretch of water in the Koinadugu district where hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds share the surrounding savanna. Sail its calm waters, camp by the bank, and walk among the geological formations that frame this sanctuary, revered for centuries by local communities. Watch the wildlife at dawn, identify the birds that gather in the wetlands, and ask the guides about the traditions surrounding the lake, one of Sierra Leone's most remote natural corners.

See the excavated pits and artificial lakes left behind by a century of diamond mining in Kono District. Chat with the artisanal miners who still sift river mud, take a close look at uncut stones, and hear how this land has been both a blessing and a curse for its people. Walk through hills of churned earth, ancient rock formations, and areas where wildlife and plants are reclaiming the land, and understand the complex history that lies beneath every pit.

Discover the cross-border reserve shared with Liberia in Kenema, where 71,203 hectares of primary rainforest shelter 448 bird species and the western chimpanzee. Walk the canopy trails among centuries-old trees, camp by the river, and listen up close to the wildlife of one of the last intact humid forests in West Africa. This site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, stands as an exceptional testament to a natural tradition that has survived where other rainforests have disappeared.

Cross Freetown and look out for the Cotton Tree, the 700-year-old ceiba beneath which the freed slaves who founded the city in 1787 once prayed. Visit the National Museum to learn that history, haggle for fabrics and spices at the Big Market, and end the day strolling along Lumley Beach, among fried-fish stalls and live music, as the fishing boats return to shore.

Sail to the island where Bunce Fort served as a center of the slave trade for 200 years. Visit the underground cells and the British fort, and take in how this island was the departure point for 50,000 slaves bound for the Americas. Experience a tradition where culture, art, and customs create a living legacy passed down from generation to generation. Take part, learn, and feel the connection to history.

Camp beside the white sands of River Number 2, the beach locals consider the most beautiful in Sierra Leone. Stroll through the fishing village, watch the fishing boats return with the day's catch, and wait for sunset over the Atlantic. Snorkel in the crystal-clear water, walk along the fine-sand shore, and take a peaceful swim at a beach that keeps its unspoiled character.