How much do Sierra Leone tours cost?

Our Sierra Leone tour packages start from £1,995 per person, including accommodation throughout, all transport within the country, most meals, entrance fees, and the services of an expert local guide. A single room supplement of £255 applies for solo travellers who prefer their own room.

Is Sierra Leone suitable for solo travellers?

Sierra Leone is a wonderful destination for solo travellers, and our small group format means you'll be travelling with like-minded people from day one. There are no compulsory single supplements on our Sierra Leone trips — the supplement is optional for those who prefer a private room.

Sierra LeoneFrom £2,495

Sierra Leone Tours & Holidays

Experience the vibrant culture and pristine wilderness of Sierra Leone with our expertly guided tours and holiday packages.

Best timeNov, Jan & Mar
Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
CurrencySierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
LanguageEnglish
Travel styleSmall Group Cultural & Wildlife

Overview

An introduction to Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is one of West Africa's most extraordinary yet least visited destinations — a country shaped by a powerful history, resilient people, and landscapes that range from palm-fringed peninsula beaches to ancient rainforest and wildlife-rich river islands. Founded by freed slaves and once central to the transatlantic slave trade, it carries a depth of story that enriches every mile of travel here.

Our small group Sierra Leone tours bring together the country's defining experiences in eight thoughtful days. From the living history of Freetown to the haunting ruins of Bunce Island, rescued chimpanzees at Tacugama Sanctuary, rare primates on Tiwai Island, and island life on the Banana Islands, these are Sierra Leone holidays built around genuine discovery, not tourist circuits.

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Sierra Leone

Our journeys

Tours in Sierra Leone

Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.

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Sierra Leone

Save £500Guaranteed Departure

Sierra Leone – Forts, Chimps and Beaches

Join this small group holiday in Sierra Leone and explore the country’s little-visited forts, wildlife areas and beaches with few other foreign visitors in sight. The country is slowly shaking off its troubled imaged and is once again welcoming intrepid travellers to experience its beautiful landscapes and vibrant cultural traditions. After time spent getting to know the lively, ramshackle capital Freetown, you’ll head to Bunce Island for a sobering visit to the country’s former slave fort. Then you’ll visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a lush slice of forest near Freetown that’s dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating endangered primates. A few days on a tiny but beautiful tropical island comes next. The Banana Islands sit just off the Freetown Peninsula and are home to clear waters, sandy beaches and friendly fishing villages, with a few old colonial relics thrown in. Your final stop is the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, a unique rainforest island home to diverse plant, animal and bird life, where you can camp under the trees and awaken to the calls of monkeys and hornbills in the surrounding trees.

From

£2,495£1,995

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Why visit

What makes Sierra Leone worth the journey

A place apart

Genuine off-the-beaten-path discovery

Sierra Leone remains one of Africa's least visited destinations. Travel here still feels exploratory — uncrowded beaches, unscripted encounters and very few other foreign visitors on the trail.

History with real depth

From the transatlantic slave trade to the founding of Freetown by freed slaves, Sierra Leone carries a history that adds meaning and weight to every site on the itinerary.

Wildlife you won't find elsewhere

Pygmy hippos, wild chimpanzees, olive colobus monkeys and a remarkable density of primate species on Tiwai Island make this a surprising wildlife destination alongside its cultural appeal.

A country on the rise

Sierra Leone is welcoming visitors with warmth and pride. The hospitality here is genuine, the pace unhurried, and the sense that you're arriving at a special moment in a country's story is tangible.

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Next departure to Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone – Forts, Chimps and Beaches

5 Nov 2026Guaranteed departurefrom £2,495£1,995 pp

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Highlights

The highlights of Sierra Leone

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

A 100-acre reserve in the hills above Freetown dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned chimpanzees. Encounters here are close, intimate and unlike anything else on the West African circuit.

Bunce Island

The ruins of a former British slave trading fort, set on a small river island and hauntingly preserved. One of the most significant and affecting historical sites in West Africa, with direct connections to communities in the American South.

Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary

A pristine rainforest island in the Moa River, home to wild chimpanzees, pygmy hippos and one of the highest primate diversities in Africa. River boat trips and guided forest walks bring the wildlife close.

The Banana Islands

A string of peaceful islands off the Freetown Peninsula, fringed with coral, colonial ruins and empty beaches. Snorkelling, eco-chalets and an almost total absence of other visitors make them a genuine highlight of any Sierra Leone holiday.

Freetown's Living History

Sierra Leone's capital wears its past openly — the Cotton Tree, National Museum, Maroon Church and Railway Museum trace the city's layered story from freed slaves to independence. Local guides bring the narrative to life.

Tokeh Beach

A wide arc of white sand on the Freetown Peninsula, calm and unhurried. A fitting last note before the journey home.

Sierra Leone rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

Sierra Leone has two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The dry season brings clear skies, lower humidity and excellent conditions for wildlife spotting and island travel — beaches are at their finest and river crossings straightforward. November and March–April sit at the shoulder of the dry season and offer a good balance of lower prices, lush landscapes and fine weather. The wet season turns the forest an intense green but road travel becomes considerably harder. Our Sierra Leone travel packages depart in November, January and March, all within the dry season and well suited to the coastal and rainforest itinerary.

Live weather

Sierra Leone

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Sierra Leone tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All stories

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Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

“Our guide and driver (Bassie and Idrissa) for the first part of our trip were excellent. In addition VSL went out of their way to collect luggage that had been left off the outward flight and return it to us in Masanga. This was much appreciated. The schedule went to plan and we were able to do all we'd hoped to do.”

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Traveller from the UK

“Excellent trip. The slavery and civil war history was sad and intense. I really enjoyed the chimpanzee sanctuary and the wildlife hikes at Tiwai Island. Saw may different species of monkeys. Banana Island on the Sierra Leone coast was also enjoyable. Overall an enjoyable trip.”

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Steven Main, USA

“Our driver was very curteous and drove expertly. We felt very safe with him. Our guide, Bassie, was exceptional. He was very knowledgeable and possesed a very good understanding of European travelers'mentality. He paid great attention to details, punctuality, and to our welfare. He went out of his way to find activities that interested us such as school visits. A job perfectly done. ”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Great trip. I was wondering why more people weren’t on it as it was fantastic and I can thoroughly recommend Sierra Leone as a destination.VSL have been great, I used them for fuether travel after the tour finished, and Abdulai the guide was fantastic too.”

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Joanne Paver, New Zealand

“Visiting SIerra Leone was absolutely worth it. I've felt welcome, safe, looked after in an awesome way. The country is unspoiled. A real off the beaten track trip with high level standards. Especially amazing since the international tourism is only just starting up.”

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Tom Geirnaer, Belgium

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”

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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”

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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”

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Martin Robathan, UK

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Sierra Leone journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

Gallery

Scenes from Sierra Leone

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Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your
perfect Sierra Leone trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Sierra Leone's combination of coastline, rainforest and history makes it particularly well suited to a private itinerary. A tailor-made Sierra Leone holiday might extend time on Tiwai Island for deeper forest immersion, add days on the Banana Islands for diving and snorkelling, or spend longer in Freetown exploring the city's cultural layers at your own pace. Private travellers can also adjust the balance between wildlife, history and beach time to suit exactly what they're looking for. Undiscovered Destinations arranges private transport, expert local guides and a range of accommodation from eco-chalets to guesthouses. Speak to our team to start building your own Sierra Leone tour package.

Your dates

Travel when it suits you

Private group

Just you, family or friends

Your pace

Linger longer, skip the rest

Bespoke extras

Private guides, rare access

Start planning your trip Speak to a specialist

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

How it works

1Tell us what you have in mind
2We build an itinerary + quote
3Refine until it feels right

Est. 2004

20+ years of
bespoke travel

Meet your expert

Jason van der Wath

Travel Consultant

Born and raised in South Africa, Jason’s obsession with exploring the world began at age 21. What started as a personal journey quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit, eventually leading him to move overseas to be closer to the heart of global travel routes.

After exploring the globe and taking on various roles that deepened his understanding of transformative travel, Jason settled in Newcastle and turned his passion into his profession. As a Travel Consultant for Undiscovered Destinations, he brings the same care, grit, and excitement to his clients' itineraries as he does to his own adventures. From designing complex overland journeys to advising on the world's most remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jason draws on a lifetime of personal exploration to craft unforgettable travel experiences.

Ask Jason about Sierra Leone

Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Sierra Leone?

Our Sierra Leone tour packages start from £1,995 per person, including accommodation throughout, all transport within the country, most meals, entrance fees, and the services of an expert local guide. A single room supplement of £255 applies for solo travellers who prefer their own room.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Sierra Leone Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Sierra Leone that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

US Department of State — US State Dept Sierra Leone Travel Advisory
Australian Government — Smartraveller Sierra Leone Advice
Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Sierra Leone

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.