Untouched nature and adventure
Experience chimpanzees, waterfalls, snorkeling, fishing trips, and hikes through some of West Africa's most beautiful landscapes.
Let nature lead the way
From hidden waterfalls and rainforests to snorkeling, fishing trips, and hikes in untouched nature.
Sierra Leone isn't a place where you rush from one sight to the next. Here, it's all about being curious. About following a river deeper into the rainforest. Joining local fishermen out on the ocean. Snorkeling around Banana Island or hiking to a hidden waterfall.
On this page, we've gathered some of our favorite nature experiences. But there are plenty more possibilities.
We tailor every trip to fit your interests, pace, and curiosity.
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
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Meet Sierra Leone's national animal in the heart of the rainforest
Tucked away in the green hills outside Freetown is the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary – one of Sierra Leone's most unique nature projects.
Here, they work to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect chimpanzees, which are the country's national animal and an important part of the West African rainforest.
A visit to Tacugama is much more than just seeing chimpanzees. The area offers beautiful hiking trails through the rainforest, rich birdlife, and some of the best views of the peninsula's green mountain landscapes.
For those with a spirit of adventure, we can arrange longer hikes in the area, while others prefer to enjoy nature at a more leisurely pace.
It's also possible to stay overnight at Tacugama's ecolodge, where you fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up surrounded by nature.
For many of our guests, Tacugama becomes one of the absolute highlights of the trip – not just because of the chimpanzees, but because the place gives you a rare glimpse into the wild and green side of Sierra Leone.
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Snorkeling & Spearfishing at Banana Island
An ocean few have explored
Around Banana Island, an ocean area awaits that still feels far away from mass tourism.
Here, you can jump straight into the water from the boat and explore life beneath the surface around the island's bays, cliffs, and beaches.
Snorkeling at Banana Island isn't about massive coral reefs or packaged tourist experiences. Instead, you get the feeling of exploring a place that is still relatively untouched.
Schools of fish swim along the coast here, and with a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins on the horizon.
For the more adventurous, the local lodge offers spearfishing in the waters around the island. Here, you’ll get even closer to life beneath the surface and experience the ocean in a completely different way than from the beach or a boat.
If you're lucky with your catch, the lodge's kitchen can prepare the fish for dinner, so the experience continues around the dinner table later in the day.
During whale season, boat trips are also arranged further out to sea, where you have the chance to experience the majestic humpback whales passing Sierra Leone's coast on their annual migration.
Canoe Trip to the Hidden Waterfall
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One of those places most people never find
Most visitors go to River No. 2 for the beach. Very few keep going up the river.
In a traditional canoe, you can glide quietly through the landscape as the river slowly carries you away from the coast and into the lush nature. The trip takes about an hour and a half each way and can be done on your own or with a local guide who knows the area and life along the river.
Along the way, you'll pass small spots where local families wash clothes by the bank, while the rest of the journey offers peaceful nature experiences and a rare glimpse into a Sierra Leone that most visitors never see.
The destination is a small waterfall hidden further up the river. In the rainy season and the months right after, the waterfall is at its most beautiful, but the trip is just as much about experiencing the landscape and the quiet as it is about the destination itself.
It's an experience for anyone who loves to slow down and let nature lead the way.
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Hikes for Every Taste
From rainforests and waterfalls to mountain peaks and coastal trails—Sierra Leone offers unforgettable hikes through breathtaking natural scenery.
Tacugama & Waterfall
Rainforest, chimpanzees, and a hike through the lush landscape to a local waterfall.
1
Banana Island Jungle Hike:
Lush nature, ocean views, villages, and traces of the island's history.
2
Leicester Peak & Freetown Peninsula:
Spectacular views of Freetown, the mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean.
3
Rokel Waterfall:
A more adventurous trip through the landscape to one of Sierra Leone's largest waterfalls.
4
Out on the ocean with local fishermen
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A part of everyday life along the coast of Sierra Leone
We especially recommend trips from Tokeh Beach or Lakka Beach, where our local partners can arrange a morning or afternoon aboard a traditional fishing boat.
Here, you fish with a line for species like snapper and other local catches, all while experiencing the coastline from the water and getting a peek into life at sea.
The fishing is done just as the locals have done it for generations, and it's not unusual to head back with an impressive catch after a few hours on the water.
The trip also gives you a great chance to get to know the fisherman better and hear about life by the coast, their relationship with the ocean, and the changes local communities face today.
When the boat heads back to the beach, the catch can be cooked up the very same day, wrapping up the experience around the table with freshly caught fish, ocean views, and stories from the day's trip.
