The tour includes a visit to Bunce Island, once the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa. We visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established to rescue orphaned and captured chimps. Sierra Leone’s amazing array of wildlife is encapsulated on Tiwai Island. One of the country’s largest inland islands, Tiwai has an amazing array of bird and animal life. Of course no visit to Sierra Leone would be complete without time to relax on some of the best beaches in Africa.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Monday. BMI flight from London Heathrow to Freetown, Sierra Leone. Non-stop BMI flight (operated by Astraeus) to Freetown arriving in the evening. You will be met at the airport and transferred via car and ferry to the Hotel Kimbima in Freetown. Overnight at the Hotel Kimbima.
Day 2: Tuesday. Freetown, Sierra Leone. This morning you will visit the Big Market, which operates daily. It is a covered market and on sale are a range of crafts, bric-a-brac and traditional medicines. After lunch, you head to Bunce Island. The Island was established as a major slave trading fortress and castle in 1670 and is located approximately 20 miles upriver in the Freetown Harbor on the Sierra Leone River. Bunce Island is a powerful experience for anyone interested in the history of the country and the slave trade. Overnight at the Hotel Kimbima. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3: Wednesday. Freetown, Sierra Leone. Today you will visit the Tacugama Chimp Sanctuary, which is located about 40 minutes from the centre of Freetown. The Sanctuary was set up in 1995, and is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees. The chimps enjoy a semi-wild life within the 100 acre reserve. Overnight at Hotel Kimbima. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Thursday. From Freetown we travel to the Banana Islands. The Banana Islands lie south west of the Freetown Peninsula. The journey to Banana Island takes us about 2 hours by a combination of car and boat. Once on the island, you will be staying in a traditional eco-chalet with mod-cons. There is ample time for you to explore the Island and snorkel in the clear blue seas. Overnight in an eco-chalet on Banana Island. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Friday. A free day in Banana Island. A leisurely day to take in the amazing array of fish, flowers and birds the island has to offer. You may get to meet some of the friendly local people who live on the island. Overnight in an eco-chalet on Banana Island. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Saturday. Travel from Banana Islands to Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Tiwai is a unique rain forest island where visitors can camp in prepared tents surrounded by an evergreen forest and the sounds of horn bills and monkeys calling from the canopies. The flora and fauna to be found on Tiwai is stunning. Over 700 different plant species live on Tiwai and there are over 135 different bird species, including 8 types of horn bill. It has one of the highest concentration and diversity of primates in the world with 11 species including wild chimpanzees that use stones as hammers and tree roots as anvils to crack open hard nuts. Overnight will be camping on Tiwai Island. All drinks and camping facilities are provided (bed sheets/blankets, water, torchlight, etc). On occasions it may not be possible to visit Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. On these occasions the trip will be replaced with Outamba-Kilimi National Park, which is equally as impressive. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Sunday. A free day in Tiwai Island. A free day to visit the beaches, take a forest walk or an optional boat tour down the river. In the rainy season, the Moa River offers opportunities for white-water rafting. Overnight will be camping on Tiwai Island. All drinks and camping facilities are provided (bed sheets/blankets, water, torchlight, etc). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Monday. Tiwai Island to Lakka beach. We leave Tiwai Island to our final destination; the stunning beaches south of Freetown. Based at Lakka Beach you will have four nights to relax and enjoy the Sierra Leone beach culture, as well as joining two pre-arranged excursions. Overnight at a Lakka Beach hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 9: Tuesday Free day to enjoy Lakka beach. A full day to enjoy the Sierra Leone beach culture. There are plenty of options for even the most active of people. Fishing, snorkeling and surfing are all possible and can be arranged locally at additional cost. Overnight at a Lakka Beach hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 10: Wednesday. Guma Nature Trail. Today you have the opportunity to trek and explore the interior of the Western Area Peninsula Forest on the Guma Nature Trail. The starting point of the trail is the Guma Dam. The reservoir of the same name supplies water to the capital. The peninsula forms the only remnant of moist closed forest remaining in western Sierra Leone. Between 150 m and 900 m the hills are covered by moist forest and can be fairly steep. The area is known for its great variety of birds; a total of 374 species having been recorded, including the threatened White-necked Rockfowl and Green-tailed Bristlebill. In addition the Peninsula is home to 50 species of mammals, including the Western chimpanzee, Red Colobus monkey and Leopard. For those not wishing to trek, you can enjoy another full day on the beach, to simply relax and swim. Overnight at Lakka Beach Hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 11: Thursday. Tokeh Fishing Village. Today you make an excursion with your local guide to Tokeh, a fishing village located in a beautiful bay surrounded by islands and reefs. To reach Tokeh will involve a short walk, followed by a canoe ride. Here you will have an opportunity to meet the friendly locals and to have lunch (not included). To one end of the beach a small river flows into the ocean forming a beautiful little estuary. The black granite rocks arranged by chance in a beautiful random formation. Overnight at Lakka Beach Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 12: Friday. A transfer from your hotel to the airport. Most of the day will be free, before your evening departure. You will be transferred back to Freetown’s airport by road and ferry in time for BMI’s flight (opearted by Astraues) to London Heathrow. Arrival in Heathrow will be on the Friday morning. Includes: (B).
Day 13: Saturday. Arrival in the U.K.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Group tours:
- 2 November 2009 to 14 November 2009: £2,450
- 15 March 2010 to 27 March 2010: £2,450
- Group sizes: minimum 6, maximum 12.
Private Tour:
- From £1,950 per person, based on a minimum of two clients
- Departures every Monday throughout the year from London.
Price Includes:
- All accommodation based on twin/double share
- Meals as outlined in the tour
- All transport as outlined in the tour
- An English speaking guide and entrance fees where required.
Price Excludes:
- Single Supplement (optional on group tours)
- Travel insurance.
Note: On our group tours, there is no single supplement, we will match you with a roommate of the same gender. Our policy is to avoid supplements unless requested by you.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Sierra Leone
Local Culture
Sightseeing
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