Accommodation
There are good three, four and five star hotels in Freetown, none of which relate to international chains, but do adhere to international standards and ratings. The Kimbina Hotel and the Country Lodge are the highest rated, and the Taia Resort and Mamba Point hotels are popular with tourist visitors.

On the Peninsular, the two stars No. 2 Beach Lodge is a modest hotel on the Bounty Bar famous Number 2 Beach. Those seeking something more elaborate may opt for the three stars Kent Beach Hotel.

Accommodation on safari on Tiwai Island is in modest tents set on raised wooden platforms. There are no en suite facilities. Mosquitoes are not normally a problem.


Food and Wine
You can find restaurants to suit most tastes in the more popular areas. Several serve international cuisine. One of the most popular is Senagalese, a country famous throughout Africa and Europe for its cuisine. Freshly caught fish is usually on the menu cooked to local recipes. Specialities include groundnut stew (meat with peanuts) pepper soup, steamed yam and roasted corn
Local drinks are Poyo ( palm wine) and Star beer. For more international tastes, wine from the old and new world is readily available with most restaurant meals.


Shopping
In Sierra Leone markets you can buy anything, from huge pots and pans to the always useful selection of monkey skulls!
Popular buys are wood carvings and batiks.
Tourists also buy replica masks, the originals of which play a significant part in Mende and Tenne tribal culture and tradition. If you see children with their faces painted white, you will know they are in the process of being initiated into manhood.
Bartering is normal!


Activities
There is abundant wildlife (including lions, pigmy hippos, elephants and rare bongo antelope) and birdlife as well as those magical beaches. Tiwai Island and Outamba –Kilimi are the best known national parks.

The phrase “a birdwatcher’s paradise” is one of the most over-used of clichés. In Sierra Leone it can be a very apt description........!!


Entertainment
As well as International style entertainment in the main hotels, tourists are interested in local cultural activities usually involving folklore music and dance


Getting Around
Tourists normally take designated tourist taxis for short trips. For anything further afield we suggest you seek the advice of our local representatives


Visas
As visa regulations and local laws change frequently and often without notice, dmAFRICA can accept no responsibility regarding the need for or availability of visas, and suggests that the agent and the client check with the embassy of the countries to be visited in the issuing country of their own passports. The information below is therefore only a guide:

All visitors need a passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended departure from Sierra Leone. All visitors also need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. We can help arrange this for you if you are booking an inclusive arrangement with us, providing we receive at least 21 days notice. Otherwise, visas are available on arrival at a cost of US $115 payable in cash


Language
English is the national language and is widely spoken along with the local tribal languages.


Money
The local currency is the Leone (€uro1= Leone 6 ; US$1= Leone 4.50).
US$, €uro and GB£ can all be easily exchanged. There are foreign exchange bureaux in town and there are banks in some hotels. There are some cash machines.
International hotels and top restaurants accept credit cards. However, in more modest establishments and away from Freetown you should be prepared to pay cash.


Local costs
Meals in hotels cost about $12 without drinks. A bottle of water costs about $1. A Star beer is about $1,50 and a glass of decent wine is $5.
Prices can vary according to where you are eating and drinking.


Health
Malaria exists but it is not endemic. You must consult your doctor before you travel to ensure that you are prescribed the correct type of protection.
There are privately owned pharmacies which can prescribe most medication should you become sick.


Water
We recommend drinking only bottled water throughout your stay.


Dress Code
The dress code is casual, although some hotels require gentlemen to wear long trousers for dinner.


Time Difference
Sierra Leone is on GMT


Electricity
220v with 2 or 3 pin sockets. A European adaptor is required.


Communications
There are several mobile phone companies and the reception is generally good, even outside the main towns.

Here are just a few things we recommend you include on any holiday to Sierra Leone:

• Even if you are not an avid bird watcher try and take part in at least one trip which includes birding as it really is one of the best countries in the world to see some beautiful and rare species.


• Visit the very famous Beach Number 2-----and make your own "Bounty Bar" advert.


• Admire spectacular views from Mount Bintumani, West Africa’s highest point.


• Contemplate the” meaning of life” while reflecting under Freetown’s 500 years old Cotton Tree, under which slaves were sold until 1787.


• Meet the locals by hunting for bargains in Freetown’s pavement market stalls.


• Listen to the music of Freddy Shabaka whose songs include haunting melodies and tales of America’s roots and the impact of the slave trade.


• Drink Star beer with the locals!

Suggested Reading:-
"Blood Diamonds; Tracing the Deadly Path of the World’s Most Precious Stones" by Greg Campbell.

There are international flights from Europe with Air France (Paris), BMI (London) and Brussels Air. The best inter-African connections are with Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and TACV Cape Verde Airlines.

We have an office in Freetown, conveniently placed in the heart of the main Tourist Resort, at the National Tourist Board Information Centre on Lumley Road.Our staff speak English and French.

Our Operations Director, Kenneth Gbenga, has over 20 years experience in tourism, mainly in the Gambia and Senegal. He is supported by eight trained staff.

Our expertise on birdlife is backed by our inherent knowledge of history, tribal customs and indigenous townships in the bush.

We also offer services from here into neighbouring Liberia, which can make an interesting two centre visit.

The BBC are frequent visitors to Sierra Leone and they always seek the advice and on the spot expertise of our man Kenneth.

For bookings enquiries and all pre tour planning and arrangements clients should contact sales@dmafrica.com