What to Do in Freetown

🌴 1. Explore Lumley Beach

Freetown’s most famous beach district:

• Walk the long coastline

• Swim and relax in beach lounges

• Enjoy bars, cafés, seafood grills

• Watch locals play football at sunset

• Great nightlife and oceanfront dining

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🧭 2. Visit the Famous Cotton Tree

One of Sierra Leone’s most iconic landmarks:

• Symbol of freedom and the Krio people

• Historically linked to freed slaves who settled the city

• Located in central Freetown near major museums and buildings

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🏛️ 3. National Museum of Sierra Leone

A compact but informative museum:

• Exhibits on the country’s 18+ ethnic groups

• Artifacts relating to chiefs, traditional culture, and early colonial history

• Perfect starting point to understand Sierra Leone’s heritage

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🐒 4. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (just outside Freetown)

A must-visit wildlife experience:

• Guided tours with rescued chimpanzees

• Learn about conservation efforts

• Lovely forest environment

• Hiking trails and eco-lodges available

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🛍️ 5. Explore the Markets (Big Market & King Jimmy)

Great for cultural immersion:

• Big Market – crafts, wood carvings, batik textiles, jewelry

• King Jimmy Market – bustling local market for produce and spices

• Great for photography and picking up souvenirs

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⛪ 6. St. George’s Cathedral

Historic Anglican cathedral built in the 19th century:

• Beautiful wooden interior

• Peaceful atmosphere

• Located near Cotton Tree and other central sites

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🌅 7. Leicester Peak Viewpoint

The best panoramic view in the city:

• Overlooks Freetown Peninsula, beaches, port, and islands

• Ideal for sunset photos

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🏰 8. Visit the Sierra Leone Peace and Cultural Monument

• Exhibits and outdoor sculptures representing national unity

• Contemporary memorial with striking artwork

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🍽️ 9. Try Local Sierra Leonean Foods

Essential dishes include:

• Cassava leaf stew

• Groundnut (peanut) soup

• Jollof rice

• Pepper soup

• Fried plantains

• Fresh grilled seafood on the beach

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🌊 10. River No. 2 & Peninsula Beaches (nearby)

While technically outside the city limits, most travelers treat them as part of their Freetown visit:

• White-sand beaches

• Surfing at Bureh Beach

• Relaxation at River No. 2, Tokeh, Sussex

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🛥️ 11. Visit Bunce Island (from Freetown port)

A powerful historical trip:

• 18th-century slave-trading fort

• Learn about Sierra Leone’s link to the Gullah Geechee people

• Dramatic ruins and guided tours

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🎶 12. Experience Nightlife & Music

Freetown has a vibrant music culture:

• Afrobeats, reggae, live bands

• Beach clubs along Lumley

• Local performers and dance events

What to Do at River No. 2 Beach

🌊 1. Relax on One of West Africa’s Best Beaches

River No. 2 is famous for:

• Powdery white sand

• Turquoise, clear water

• Calm waves perfect for swimming

• A stunning mountain backdrop

It’s one of the cleanest, most beautiful beaches in the country.

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🏞️ 2. Take the River Boat Ride

The beach’s signature experience:

• A short canoe ride up the emerald-green river

• Gorgeous views of the forest and mountains

• A peaceful, photogenic journey into nature

This is run by the local community, and the small fee supports the village.

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🛍️ 3. Shop at the Community Craft Market

Right by the beach you can find:

• Wood carvings

• Handmade jewelry

• Batik cloth

• African masks and artwork

• Souvenirs made by local artisans

It’s one of the best places in the peninsula to buy local crafts.

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🍤 4. Eat Fresh Grilled Seafood

River No. 2 has small beachside food stands with:

• Grilled lobster

• Whole snapper and barracuda

• Fried plantains

• Cold drinks and fresh fruit

Everything is simple, fresh, and delicious.

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🌅 5. Enjoy Incredible Sunsets

The beach faces the Atlantic, giving:

• Wide-open horizon views

• Golden-hour light reflecting on the water

• Photo-perfect sunsets

Ideal for travelers, photographers, and couples.

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📸 6. Take Photos of Sierra Leone’s “Paradise Beach”

River No. 2 is one of Sierra Leone’s most photographed spots:

• The river flowing directly into the ocean

• Clear blue water

• Mountains rising behind the coast

It’s commonly featured on postcards and tourism posters.

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🌿 7. Explore the Surrounding Nature

You can walk or hike in the area:

• Forest trails around the hills

• Quiet paths off the beach

• Birdwatching opportunities

It’s peaceful and less crowded than nearby beaches like Tokeh.

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🏄 8. Optional Surfing Nearby

While River No. 2 is mostly calm, Bureh Beach (15 minutes away) has excellent waves if you want to surf.

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🛏️ 9. Relax at the Community Guesthouses

There are simple but comfortable eco-style accommodations:

• Beach huts

• Small guesthouses

• Locally run lodges

Perfect for a peaceful overnight stay.

What to Do on the Banana Islands (Dublin, Ricketts & Mes-Meheux)

The Banana Islands—located off the southern tip of the Freetown Peninsula—are known for crystal-clear waters, quiet beaches, lush rainforest, and small fishing communities. They are perfect for relaxing, snorkeling, history, and eco-tourism.

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🌊 1. Snorkeling in Clear Tropical Waters

The Banana Islands are one of the best snorkeling spots in Sierra Leone:

• Coral reefs close to shore

• Bright fish and colorful marine life

• Calm water with excellent visibility

• Reef and rock formations ideal for underwater photography

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🤿 2. Scuba Diving (Wrecks + Reefs)

A top activity for divers:

• Several shipwrecks around the islands

• Reef diving with turtles, rays, and shoals of fish

• Experienced local dive operators on Dublin Island

Great choice for adventurous travelers.

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🛶 3. Kayaking Around the Coastline

Paddle along:

• Hidden coves

• Rock arches

• Small beaches

• Calm lagoons

Kayaking is peaceful and scenic—the perfect slow-exploration activity.

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🚶 4. Guided Nature Walks & Forest Trails

The interior of the islands is lush:

• Tropical forest

• Birdlife

• Medicinal plants

• Historic trails

Guides from local villages can lead walks through jungle paths.

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🏘️ 5. Visit Local Fishing Villages

Dublin and Ricketts villages offer authentic cultural experiences:

• See fishermen preparing nets

• Watch the colorful boats come in

• Visit small churches and historic colonial-era buildings

• Learn about the islanders’ heritage

The vibe is warm, quiet, and community-focused.

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🐟 6. Fresh Seafood Meals

Eat:

• Grilled lobster

• Barracuda

• Snapper

• Crab

• Fried plantains

• Coconut dishes

Meals are simple, fresh, and often cooked over charcoal on the beach.

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🏖️ 7. Relax on Secluded Beaches

The islands have multiple quiet beaches:

• Small sandy coves

• Clear turquoise water

• Peaceful atmosphere

• Few tourists compared to the Peninsula

Perfect for solitude, reading, and swimming.

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📜 8. Explore Historical Sites

The Banana Islands have a deep history, including:

• Old colonial ruins

• Abandoned stone buildings

• Sites connected to the slave trade

• Early missionary trails and structures

Local guides can tell stories linked to each site.

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🎣 9. Go Fishing with Local Fishermen

Try traditional fishing:

• Paddle with fishermen at sunrise

• Cast nets the local way

• Learn how the island’s economy works

A great cultural and hands-on experience.

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🌅 10. Watch Stunning Sunsets

The islands have exceptional sunsets:

• Orange and purple skies

• Reflections on calm water

• Coconut palms and hills silhouetted beautifully

Best enjoyed with a beachside dinner.

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🛏️ 11. Stay Overnight in Rustic Eco-Lodges

Options include:

• Simple beachfront huts

• Eco-lodges built from natural materials

• Multi-day stays with meals and activities

 

A peaceful digital detox—no noise, no crowds.

What to Do at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Located in the hills outside Freetown, Tacugama is a conservation sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating chimpanzees affected by habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade. It’s peaceful, educational, and surrounded by beautiful rainforest.

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🌿 1. Take a Guided Sanctuary Tour

The main attraction:

• Learn about the sanctuary’s history

• See rescued chimpanzees in large forested enclosures

• Hear stories about individual chimps

• Watch feeding sessions and enrichment activities

• Gain insight into Sierra Leone’s conservation challenges

Tours are led by knowledgeable staff and happen at set times each day.

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🐾 2. Observe Chimpanzee Behavior

See chimps:

• Playing

• Grooming

• Communicating

• Interacting with their troop

You’ll get close (but safely separated) and see them in a natural habitat setting.

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🌳 3. Explore the Forest Trails

Tacugama is surrounded by pristine Upper Guinea rainforest:

• Short and long guided hikes available

• Great for birdwatching (hornbills, turacos, kingfishers)

• Spot butterflies, monkeys, and unique plants

• Perfect for nature lovers

The forest is peaceful and cool compared to central Freetown.

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🏡 4. Stay Overnight in an Eco-Lodge

Tacugama offers rustic forest bungalows:

• Elevated huts among the trees

• Quiet and ideal for disconnecting

• Morning chimp sounds

• Meals available on-site

It’s one of Sierra Leone’s most atmospheric eco-stays.

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🎨 5. Visit the Art & Craft Corner

You can:

• Purchase handmade, locally made souvenirs

• Support the sanctuary’s conservation work

• Learn about Tacugama’s education programs

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🌍 6. Learn About Community Conservation Projects

Tacugama is heavily involved in:

• Reforestation projects

• Anti-poaching education

• Outreach to rural communities

• Wildlife law enforcement

Visitors often leave with a deeper understanding of chimp conservation.

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📸 7. Take Amazing Photos

The sanctuary provides great opportunities for:

• Wildlife photography

• Forest scenery

• Eco-lodges

• Chimp expressions and interactions (from safe distance)

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🧘 8. Join Yoga Retreats or Wellness Events (Occasional)

Tacugama hosts:

• Yoga sessions

• Meditation retreats

• Eco-wellness events

These are seasonal but unique to the sanctuary experience.

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🧠 9. Support by Adoption or Donation

 

You can symbolically “adopt” a chimp and support its care, a popular choice for visitors.

What to Do on Bunce Island

Bunce Island sits in the Sierra Leone River, about an hour by boat from Freetown. Though small and uninhabited today, it was once one of West Africa’s most significant slave-trading forts, linking Sierra Leone to the history of the Atlantic slave trade and the Gullah Geechee people of the United States.

Your visit will be emotional, educational, and powerful.

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🏰 1. Explore the Ruins of the Slave Fort

Walk through the remains of the 17th–18th century complex, including:

• The fort walls

• Governor’s house ruins

• Slave yards and holding areas

• Gun batteries and cannon placements

• Storehouse foundations

The island is now quiet and overgrown, but the structures remain striking.

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📜 2. Take a Guided Historical Tour

Local historians and guides lead excellent, detailed tours covering:

• The island’s role in the Atlantic slave trade

• How enslaved Africans were held, shipped, and sold

• Daily life for enslaved people

• The involvement of British and American traders

• The connection to the Gullah Geechee people of the Carolinas & Georgia

Guides bring the island’s difficult past to life with sensitivity and accuracy.

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🕊️ 3. Visit the Memorial Areas

You can see:

• The massive stone gate where enslaved people were marched to ships

• The grave sites and memorial markers

• Interpretive signs explaining the island’s history

It's a place for reflection and remembrance.

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🛡️ 4. See the Old Cannons and Defense Walls

Bunce Island was heavily fortified:

• Original iron cannons still sit along the walls

• Views overlook the river where slave ships once anchored

• You can walk along the defensive ridges

These are among the most atmospheric viewpoints on the island.

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🌿 5. Walk Through the Island’s Natural Setting

Today, the island is covered in:

• Tropical trees

• Vines and climbing vegetation

• Birds and insects

It’s hauntingly beautiful—a blend of nature reclaiming a place of sorrow.

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🚤 6. Enjoy the Scenic Boat Ride from Freetown

The journey itself is a highlight:

• Wide estuary views

• Coastal villages

• Mangrove forests

• Fishermen paddling traditional boats

The river scenery is peaceful and photogenic.

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📸 7. Take Meaningful Photographs

Popular subjects include:

• Crumbling stone walls

• Doorways overgrown with vines

• Cannons overlooking the river

• Shady courtyards where daily life once unfolded

Photography is encouraged, but many visitors do so respectfully and quietly.

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📚 8. Learn About Gullah Geechee Connections

Bunce Island is central to the heritage of:

• African Americans from South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

• Gullah Geechee descendants

 

Many Gullah families can trace some roots to the region around Sierra Leone. Guides often speak about this cultural link.