With market stalls, trails through the wilderness and two running routes of different lengths, Makeni offers several perspectives on a stay. The city is a trading town and the economic centre of the Northern Province. It also serves as a starting point for travellers continuing north to OutambaKilimi National Park. When choosing accommodation, it therefore makes sense to first consider whether Makeni itself is to be your main focus or whether you plan to use the city as a starting point for a journey further north. The city market and local hiking trails are part of Makeni itself; the nature and culture themes of the wider destination of Northern provide a broader regional context.

Market, Hiking Trails and City Views

At Makeni Market, you can wander among the market stalls, try local snacks and chat with traders. A visit combines a walk around the market with a taste of local food and encounters with people there. The goods on offer at the stalls and the visitor experience may change. At Mena Hills in Makeni, hiking trails run through the wilderness; check accessibility before visiting. Mena Hill offers a view of another part of the city. Nature trails and city views thus provide contrasting highlights.

Running Routes and Distances

The 2026 Marathon and Cycling Challenge in Makeni includes a 5 km fun run through the city centre and a 21 km half-marathon route on the outskirts of Wusum Hill. The half-marathon is therefore 16 km longer; its route around Wusum Hill differs from the city centre, which is the reference point for the shorter run. If you plan to travel for the event, check the dates and schedule in advance.

The Wider Destination of Northern

Other distinct places shape the regional picture of the wider destination of Northern. In Tonkolili District, the Mamunta Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary protects the threatened dwarf crocodile; despite its small size, the protected area is home to 252 bird species. Nature conservation and bird diversity come together here, while the mountain landscapes in Koinadugu District offer a different focus. The Wara Wara Mountains lie immediately northwest of Kabala and are characterised by rugged hills reaching up to 1,000 metres. The Loma Mountains are also in Koinadugu District and offer diverse wildlife habitats, including habitats for pygmy hippopotamuses and viviparous toads. At Lake Sonfon in Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District, the landscape is associated with traditional beliefs and local cultural ceremonies. An IBA survey recorded 115 bird species at the lake and in the surrounding vegetation in 1994.

For regional orientation, these themes stand alongside one another: the striking hills of the Wara Wara Mountains, the wildlife habitats of the Loma Mountains and the cultural connection of Lake Sonfon. The bird survey at the lake adds an explicitly historical date to this perspective.

Discover more destinations: Lungi, Tagrin.

View the wider travel guide: Northern.