29 Oct 2026
Twin share
£2,085pp
Single from £2,330
Escorted tour
Sierra Leone Adventure: Freetown, Tiwai & Banana Islands – 8 Days
Freetown and Bunce Island, a village stay, rainforest wildlife on Tiwai Island and quiet beaches on the Banana Islands, in a group of up to 12.
8 days
From £2,085
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group adventure explores Sierra Leone, a West African country with a powerful history, lush rainforest and empty beaches, still rarely visited by tourists. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You travel overland and by boat, with arrival and departure transfers included. Accommodation is simple and varied: hotels in Freetown and Kenema, one night at a basic community-run campsite in Boma village, a night at the research centre on Tiwai Island and two nights in a guesthouse on the Banana Islands. Electricity is often generator-powered and hot water can be inconsistent.
In Freetown, a city tour with your leader visits the busy markets and the sites of the transatlantic slave trade, including the King's Yard Gate on the waterfront, where freed slaves once passed. You also take a guided trip to Bunce Island, the ruined British slave fort in the Sierra Leone River, from which thousands of Africans were shipped to the Americas.
Read more
Leaving the capital, you spend a night in Boma village, welcomed by one of the country's few female chiefs. You learn about rice farming and the community's work, and end the evening with fireside storytelling and traditional dancing. Next comes Tiwai Island, a community-run wildlife sanctuary in the Upper Guinea Forest known as the land of the apes, home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and pygmy hippos, though sightings are never guaranteed. A boat trip on the Moa River, a night walk and a morning forest walk reveal its wilderness.
From Kenema, where you meet a local mining company to learn about the diamond trade and its legacy, you travel to the Banana Islands off the coast of Yawri Bay. Two free days let you swim in clear water, explore the ruined church on Dublin Island or walk the stone causeway to Ricketts village, before returning to Freetown.
The physical rating is medium, with forest walks in heat and humidity and basic facilities. This trip suits adventurous travellers who are comfortable with simple conditions and want to understand West Africa's history. Mosquito nets are not always provided, so bring your own along with strong repellent.
Trip highlights
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Freetown's history and the slave fort of Bunce Island (Day 2)
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A night in Boma village with fireside stories and dancing (Day 3)
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Night and forest walks on Tiwai Island wildlife sanctuary (Days 4–5)
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Kenema and the story of Sierra Leone's diamonds (Day 5)
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Two days on the Banana Islands (Days 6–7)
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Arrival and departure transfers
Your route
6 stops from Freetown to Banana Islands
- Freetown Days 1–2
- Bunce Island Day 2
- Boma Village Day 3
- Tiwai Island Day 4
- Kenema Day 5
- Banana Islands Days 6–7
Why choose this tour
A rare chance to visit Sierra Leone with a local leader and community-run stays. History, rainforest and beaches in just over a week.
Best suited to
- Adventurous travellers looking for somewhere new
- Travellers interested in African and Atlantic history
- Wildlife and nature lovers
- Anyone comfortable with simple conditions
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Freetown, Sierra Leone to Freetown, Sierra Leone
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Day 1 · Freetown Arrive in Freetown
Arrive in Sierra Leone's capital for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Arrive early to relax on Lumley Beach.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Freetown, Bunce Island Freetown and Bunce Island
A city tour of markets and slave-trade sites, and a guided visit to the ruined fort on Bunce Island.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Boma Village Boma village
Meet the village's female chief, learn about rice farming and enjoy fireside storytelling and dancing.
- Hotel
- Community campsite (basic facilities)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Tiwai Island, Moa River Tiwai Island
Travel to the Tiwai Island wildlife sanctuary for a boat trip on the Moa River and a night forest walk.
- Hotel
- Research centre
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Upper Guinea Forest, Kenema Forest walk to Kenema
A morning forest walk, then a boat and road to Kenema to learn about diamond mining.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 6 · Banana Islands, Dublin Island To the Banana Islands
Travel to the Banana Islands, with free time for Dublin Island's ruined church or the beach.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Ricketts, Banana Islands Banana Islands
A free day to swim or walk the stone causeway to Ricketts village.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Freetown Return to Freetown
Return to Freetown, where the trip ends, with a departure transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Freetown (2 nights) Hotel
- Boma Village (1 night) Community campsite (basic facilities)
- Tiwai Island (1 night) Research centre
- Kenema (1 night) Hotel
- Banana Islands (2 nights) Guesthouse
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in hotels, a community campsite, a research centre and a guesthouse
- Meals 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Overland and boat transport throughout
- Guided visits Freetown city tour, Bunce Island, Boma village, Tiwai Island boat trip and forest walks, and Kenema
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Freetown
- Sierra Leone visa
- Meals not listed
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want comfort every night — one night is at a basic campsite
- You need reliable electricity and hot water — supplies can be limited
- You want guaranteed wildlife sightings — the forest animals are shy
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Sierra Leone
Departures & prices
From £2,085 per person, twin share, tour only. 7 upcoming departures.
26 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,195pp
Single from £2,440
10 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,195pp
Single from £2,440
24 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,085pp
Single from £2,330
07 Jan 2027
Twin share
£2,290pp
Single from £2,535
18 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,290pp
Single from £2,535
11 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,290pp
Single from £2,535
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What is the accommodation like?
Simple. Hotels in Freetown and Kenema, one night at a basic community-run campsite in Boma village, a research centre on Tiwai Island and a guesthouse on the Banana Islands.
Is there electricity?
Often generator-powered with limited hours. Hot water, water pressure and air-conditioning can be inconsistent, and Wi-Fi is rare outside Freetown.
Do I need vaccinations?
Yes. A yellow fever certificate is required, and malaria protection is recommended. Seek medical advice well before travel.
Will I see chimpanzees?
Possibly. Tiwai Island is home to chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, but sightings are rare because the animals are shy.
Is Sierra Leone safe to visit?
Check the latest FCDO travel advice before booking. The trip has a local leader throughout and arrival and departure transfers.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary