Rainforest and Birdlife

The rich birdlife of the Gola-Tiwai Complex includes up to 448 species. These include the White-breasted Guineafowl, the Timneh Parrot, and the White-necked Rockfowl. The complex comprises four areas across two protected areas: Gola Rainforest National Park and Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern and Southern Provinces. Most of it consists of primary, moist or semi-evergreen tropical rainforest that has never been commercially exploited. Tiwai Island lies in southeastern Sierra Leone and is both a wildlife sanctuary and a community-run tourism destination.

Separate Protected Areas and a Canoe Trip

Established in 1995, Outamba-Kilimi National Park lies in northern Sierra Leone and consists of two separate areas. Outamba covers 74,100 hectares and Kilimi 36,800 hectares, with a 20-kilometer-wide corridor between them. Outamba is therefore the larger of the two areas. You can take a canoe trip on the Kabba River and spot birds, monkeys along the riverbank, and hippos. Check local operating conditions for this activity before your trip.

Hiking Trails at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The hiking trails at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary take between 1.5 and 3 hours. They pass through local Krio villages and by viewpoints, waterfalls, and dams. This time range can help you get a rough idea of the effort involved. Availability and trail conditions may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Islands and Coastal Landscapes

The Banana Islands archipelago consists of Dublin, Ricketts, and Mes-Meheux. A stone causeway connects Dublin and Ricketts. On Dublin, you can relax at Big Sand Beach, snorkel, dive, and rent kayaks or pedal boats to explore the coves. Confirm activities and equipment locally.

Mes-Meheux is uninhabited and privately owned; it can only be visited as part of an organized tour. As these visitor arrangements may change, confirm them with a tour operator in advance. The conditions for visiting are therefore different from the beach and water activities described for Dublin.

River No. 2 Beach lies near the mouth of the River No. 2 and is surrounded by palm trees and mangroves. Here, the estuary and vegetation define the landscape, while Dublin is primarily about beach and water activities.

Culture and History in Freetown

The Sierra Leone National Museum is located in central Freetown, beneath the branches of the Cotton Tree, and is a hub for many cultural activities. What is on offer may vary. The historic Fourah Bay College adds an educational history perspective: lectures and exams were still held there as recently as the 1990s.

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