Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent
Call us
Sierra-Leone-Destination
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
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.

Sierra-Leone-pic
Sierra-Leone
Explore

Sierra Leone

Why visit

What makes Sierra Leone worth the journey

Sierra-Leone-holidays
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.

01

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.

Sierra-Leone-pic
02

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.

Sierra-Leone-Tour
03

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.

See itineraries
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.

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.
Read full review

Traveller from the UK

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.
Read full review

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.
Read full review

Joanne Paver, New Zealand

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.
Read full review

Steven Main, USA

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.
Read full review

Tom Geirnaer, Belgium

Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.
Read full review

Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise
Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.
Read full review

Traveller from the UK

Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives.
Read full review

Adam Choonara, UK

I really appreciated Jason's help in answering all of my many questions re: Senegal trip in December 2025. I have a physical disability and I had a lot of accessibility questions for Jason! He was a true professional and was very supportive, warm and friendly and helped me a lot in making my decision to go ahead with the Senegal trip. I would like to thank Jason particularly for this service. I truly appreciate it and I am very thankful.
Read full review

Ramnit Bassi, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

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
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

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

Sierra-Leone-Tour
How it works
  1. 1Tell us what you have in mind
  2. 2We build an itinerary + quote
  3. 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
Jason van der Wath
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.

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:

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

Ready when you are

Start planning your Sierra Leone adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Sierra Leone specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Trusted partners & accreditations