After a rocky couple of decades, the West African nation of Sierra Leone has become an amazing success story.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Sierra Leone welcomed 310 percent more tourists in 2016 than it did in 2015. The figures indicate that 24,000 people visited in 2016, but welcomed almost 74,000 people in 2016.
Sierra Leone has a troubled history, from which it is beginning to recover. A decade of civil wars finally culminated with the restoration of peace in 2002, and just as the scars from that dark time were beginning to heal, the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015 happened. But now the nation is Ebola-free and is waiting to welcome tourists.
“For the traveler, Sierra Leone is still West Africa’s secret beach destination,” wrote Lonely Planet. “Sweet sands rise from the soft waters of the Atlantic, with the backdrop dressed in sun-stained hues, rainforest green, and the red, red roads of the north.”
So, where should you go when you visit Sierra Leone? Here are a few ideas.
Freetown
Not only is Freetown the capital of Sierra Leone, it is a bustling port city with one of the largest deep-water harbors on Earth. It’s also a place where you can experience the country’s laid-back beachside living and the partying nightlife of the Aberdeen district. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a must-see.
Banana Island
Off the coast of the Western Area and south of Freetown, this island has the white sands and lush rainforests you’d expect to see in a tropical nation. You can also visit ruins of old colonial depots and slave processing centers and see for yourself the evidence of this dark chapter in the world’s history. On the other hand, Banana Island is the most popular weekend getaway from Freetown, and there are some good guesthouses and hotels in the towns of Dublin and Ricketts.
Gola Forest Reserve
People have been visiting the Gola Forest Reserve since the 1920s, but with its population of chimpanzees and the biodiversity of its old-growth woodland, it has attracted the attention of nature lovers and conservationists from around the globe. Visit this inland paradise if you want to see everything from beautiful butterflies to forest elephants, pigmy hippos, and much more.
Learn about even more awesome places to visit in Sierra Leone here.
Photo: A woman in the village of Yongoro, Sierra Leone. Credit: robertonencini / Shutterstock.com