Sierra Leone - Forts, Chimps and Beaches
Sierra Leone - Forts, Chimps and Beaches
8 Days Starting and ending in Freetown
Visiting: Freetown, Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiwai Island, Banana Islands, Tokeh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SFC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Sierra Leone with the "Forts, Chimps and Beaches" tour. This unique adventure combines the serene beauty of the Banana Islands' beaches, the fascinating history of Sierra Leone's monuments and ruins, and the heartwarming experience of observing chimpanzees at the Tacugama Sanctuary. From the moment you arrive in Freetown, you'll be swept away by the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of this captivating country. Enjoy the convenience of arrival and departure transfers, overland transport with a professional driver, comfortable accommodations, the expertise of an English-speaking guide, and meals as listed in the itinerary. Dive into the history, wildlife, and idyllic landscapes of Sierra Leone, making memories that will last a lifetime.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Freetown
Location: Freetown
Accommodation Name: Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar
Arrive in Freetown and transfer to the hotel, which includes a 30-minute boat ride. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to either relax after your journey or start exploring the town. No meals or activities included today. Overnight at Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar.
Day 2 : Freetown - Tacugama
Location: Freetown
Accommodation Name: Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we start by exploring the vibrant capital, Freetown and learn the history of the city. Visits include the Railway Museum, St. Georges Cathedral, National Museum, Peace Monument, the Maroon Church, the Cotton Tree, the Gateway to the Old King’s Yard and Fort Thornton where the Presidential State House now stands. This afternoon we head to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is located about 40 minutes from the centre of Freetown. The Sanctuary was set up in 1995, and is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees. The chimps enjoy a semi-wild life within the 100-acre reserve. Overnight at Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar (B)
Day 3 : Bunce Island – Tasso Island - Freetown
Location: Freetown
Accommodation Name: Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we head to Bunce Island. The island was established as a major slave trading fortress and castle in 1670 and is located approximately 20 miles upriver in the Freetown Harbour on the Sierra Leone River. Bunce Island is a powerful experience for anyone interested in the history of the country and the slave trade. We then visit Tasso Island before heading back to Freetown. In Freetown, we take a short tour of the peninsula beaches, arguably the best in the sub-region. Stop at Lakka, Hamilton and River Number 2, before an early dinner at one of the beaches. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar. (B)
Day 4 : Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Accommodation Name: Permanent campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Tiwai, a unique rainforest island where visitors can camp in prepared tents surrounded by an evergreen forest and the sounds of hornbills and monkeys calling from the canopy. We expect to arrive at the sanctuary around 3pm. Early evening we take a boat trip up the Mao River where you have spectacular views of the island and neighbouring mainland, and look out for monkeys, the occasional crocodile and elusive pygmy hippo. Overnight camping at a permanent campsite. (BLD) Notes: All non- alcoholic drinks and camping items are provided (tents, bed sheets/blankets) On occasions it may not be possible to visit Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. On these occasions the trip will be replaced with Outamba-Kilimi National Park, which is equally as impressive.
Day 5 : Tiwai Island
Location: Tiwai Island
Accommodation Name: Permanent campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend today exploring the area. This morning walk through the forest and search for Tiwai’s wildlife. After an early lunch we take a boat to the mainland and explore the fascinating culture and heritage of the rural villages of Kambama and nearby Nianiahun, including sites of traditional sacrifice, meeting points of the village elders birth ceremonial sites and the ‘blood stream’ hiding place for the weapons of ancient warriors. This evening head back into forest to search for monkeys and birds. Overnight camping at a permanent campsite. (BLD)
Day 6 : Banana Islands
Location: Banana Islands
Accommodation Name: Bafa Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Banana Islands lie south west of the Freetown Peninsula. The journey to the islands takes us about 2 hours by a combination of car and boat. Once here, you will be staying in a traditional eco-chalet with mod-cons. There is ample time for you to explore the Island and snorkel in the clear blue seas. Overnight at Bafa Resort or similar. (BLD)
Day 7 : Tokeh
Location: Tokeh
Accommodation Name: The Place Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we leave Banana Islands and travel to Tokeh, with a stop at Bureh beach. After a seafood lunch, head to Tokeh where there is time to enjoy the beach or pool area. Overnight The Place Resort or similar (BL)
Day 8 : Departure From Freetown
Location: Freetown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Time at leisure until you are transferred to the airport on due time for your flight home. (B)
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers
Transfers from and to the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included.
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Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All overland transportation throughout the tour with a professional driver is included.
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All accommodation
Accommodation for the duration of the tour is included.
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Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
The services of an English-speaking guide or tour leader are included.
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Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the tour itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Visa - when required
Visa fees are not included and responsibility for obtaining visas lies with the traveler.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included and will be an additional personal expense.
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Items of personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Tips (Discretionary)
Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
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International Flights
International flights are not included
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes arrival and departure transfers, professional overland transport throughout the tour ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey across the diverse landscapes of Sierra Leone.
Accommodation
Guests will enjoy a variety of accommodations ranging from comfortable hotels in Freetown to traditional eco-chalets on the Banana Islands and permanent campsites in the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, offering a unique and immersive experience.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodations are provided?
Accommodations include stays at the Country Lodge Hotel, Cole Street Guesthouse or similar, and camping at a permanent campsite on Tiwai Island.
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Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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What countries does the tour visit?
The tour visits Sierra Leone.
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What are the highlights of the Forts, Chimps and Beaches tour?
The highlights of the tour include relaxing on the spectacular Banana Islands, observing the chimpanzees at the Tacugama Sanctuary, visiting historical monuments and ruins in Sierra Leone, exploring the vibrant capital Freetown and learning its history, visiting Bunce Island - a major slave trading fortress, exploring the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary for unique rainforest experiences and wildlife sightings, and enjoying the beaches and cultural heritage of rural villages near Tiwai Island.
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What is not included in the tour package?
The tour package does not include travel insurance, visa fees, drinks, items of personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls, discretionary tips for guides and drivers, and international flights.
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What is included in the tour package?
The tour package includes arrival and departure transfers, overland transport throughout the tour with a professional driver, all accommodation, services of an English-speaking guide or tour leader, and entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary.
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I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?
In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, sorry this is not possible.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.
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Can I alter the tour?
On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been going since 2004.
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Mar 20, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025Thursday - Thursday
Nov 06, 2025 - Nov 13, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered destinations charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.