Quick Summary:

This four-day segment through Sierra Leone combines Krio architecture in Freetown, the coastal forests of the Banana Islands, hands-on diamond field visits, and a rare Bundo mask ceremony led by Mende women

Table of Contents

• Freetown: A Long History of Return
• The Mountains of Lions
• Banana Islands
• Diamonds and Rare Female Masks
• Why Sierra Leone Leaves a Mark
• Travel Summary: Sierra Leone
• Must visit places in Sierra Leone
• Stay in Sierra Leone
• Cultural and Historical Facts

Freetown: A Long History of Return

After crossing from Guinea-Conakry, we reach Freetown by late afternoon. The story of this city begins in 1786, when 380 freed African slaves, many of whom had fought for the British in the American War of Independence, were resettled here. They struggled, clashed with locals, and nearly perished.

Then came destruction: French naval attacks during the Napoleonic Wars razed the city.

But Freetown rose again. By 1808, it was the capital of the first British colony in tropical Africa and home to tens of thousands of liberated Africans rescued by the British Navy from illegal slave ships. By 1845, it was home to Fourah Bay College, the first university in West Africa. A city built by the formerly enslaved, Freetown earned its moniker: the “Athens of West Africa.”

FAQ: Can you still see evidence of freed slave heritage in Freetown today?

Yes. The Cotton Tree, Fourah Bay College, colonial mansions, and Krio neighbourhoods are physical links to Freetown’s origins. Many buildings still bear names and dates tied to the city’s resettlement history.

The Mountains of Lions

We explore central Freetown: its colonial architecture, the remains of the Cotton Tree, the National Museum’s tribal masks, and the Sierra Leone Peace Museum, which documents the country’s civil war history.

Then we follow the coastal road that hugs the base of the Freetown Peninsula Mountains. Yellow sand beaches form a bright boundary between forest and sea. At River Number Two, one of West Africa’s most photogenic beaches, we pause before reaching Kent Village.

From Kent, a local boat takes us to the Banana Islands.

FAQ: How did Sierra Leone get its name?

Portuguese explorers named the mountain range around the peninsula “Serra Leoa” (Lion Mountains) in the 15th century. It evolved into “Sierra Leone” in later maps and British colonial documents.

Banana Islands

We spend the morning circumnavigating the Banana Islands, home to forested peaks, small Kriol fishing villages, and secluded beaches. It feels untouched and remote yet historically loaded.

After lunch, we travel inland to Bo, Sierra Leone’s second-largest city.

FAQ: What’s the history behind the Banana Islands’ Kriol settlements?

The Banana Islands were used as a British base during the slave trade and later resettled by Kriol descendants of freed slaves. The architecture, language, and customs carry a distinctly Afro-Caribbean influence.

Diamonds and Rare Female Masks

Sierra Leone’s diamond fields have shaped its modern history for better and for worse. After seeking permission from a village chief, we visit artisanal diamond diggers and witness sand-washing in action. A local guide walks us through the high-stakes reality of searching for “fortune.”

Later, we witness a Bundo mask ceremony. Among the Mende people, these helmet-style wooden masks are worn by women during initiation rites, a rare tradition in Africa, where most mask rituals are male-dominated.

FAQ: Are Sierra Leone’s diamonds still conflict-linked?

No. Since the end of the civil war, Sierra Leone has adopted the Kimberley Process to regulate diamond exports. Today, ethical sourcing practices are in place in most regions.

Why Sierra Leone Leaves a Mark

This country moves quietly. Its history is enormous, yet its beauty feels personal, from Krio communities and university towns to hidden coves and spiritual ceremonies.

FAQ: Is Sierra Leone good for cultural and nature-based travel?

Absolutely. Its mix of coastline, forests, heritage towns, and indigenous customs offers one of West Africa’s richest combinations of nature and living history.

Travel Summary: Sierra Leone Leg (Days 37–40)

Category	Details
Days Covered	37–40
Regions	Freetown, Banana Islands, Bo, Kono Region
Major Stops	Kent, Banana Islands, Bo, diamond fields, Bundo mask villages
Key Themes	Freed slave history, Krio culture, diamond mining, Bundo traditions
Recommended Gear	Lightweight clothing, beachwear, long sleeves for mask ceremonies, insect repellent
Best Time to Visit	November–February (dry season)

What Are the Must-visit Places on a Sierra Leone Tour?

• Freetown – Capital city with rich Krio history and colonial landmarks
• River Number Two – Iconic beach flanked by forested mountains
• Banana Islands – Remote fishing villages and forested peaks
• Bo – Market town and access point for inland traditions
• Bundo Ceremony Villages – Rare female mask rites among the Mende people
• Diamond Fields – Witness artisanal digging and local trade culture

Where Can You Stay During a Sierra Leone Tour?

Location	Accommodation	Notes
Freetown	Swiss Hotel	4-star, international-standard, private amenities
Banana Islands	Bafa Lodge	Eco-lodge with fixed tents, shared bathroom block
Bo	Bo Inn Hotel / Dohas Hotel	Comfortable, self-contained rooms with air conditioning

What Cultural and Historical Facts Should Travellers Know About Sierra Leone?

• The Fourah Bay College in Freetown was founded in 1845, the first university in West Africa
• River Number Two was used in the 2006 movie “ Blood Diamond “.
• Bundo masks are one of the few female-led initiation traditions in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Sierra Leone was the first British colony in tropical Africa, established in 1808.
• The country is named after the Lion Mountains on its coastline.

Want to See the Full Route?

This was only Days 37–40.

Forward Travel’s 56-day West Africa Grand Expedition covers:

• Morocco
• Western Sahara
• Mauritania
• Senegal
• Gambia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guinea
• Sierra Leone
• Liberia
• Ivory Coast
• Ghana
• Togo
• Benin

If you're curious to follow the full journey or want to join a future departure, get in touch.

Upcoming Departures:

• 10 November 2025
• 5 March 2026 (reverse route)
• 9 November 2026

View the West Africa Grand Expedition

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