Sierra Leone is a small African country with centuries-old traditions. Here you will still see the original life of numerous tribes, enjoy the beautiful nature and beaches, many of which have been untouched by humans for centuries. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest African countries. The lack of clean drinking water is desperately felt here, which leads to many diseases. However, the emerging tourism starts to bring money to this small country. There appear modern hotels, and the infrastructure for tourism is being actively developed. Fans of ecotourism, indigenous culture and history will find truly remarkable objects of study. You can get acquainted with the traditions of various tribes, listen to their national songs, watch the traditional products made of ivory, the most common of which are human figures.

The history of the small state of Sierra Leone goes back to the year of 1462, when the sailors from Portugal landed on the coast of this territory. They gave it the name of the peninsula of Sierra Leone, that is, the 'Lion Mountain'. By the end of the 18th century, the British Empire had seized the control over the region. Hundreds of freed slaves settled in the area and founded the city of Freetown. From 1808 on, Freetown was the main British colonial stronghold in West Africa. After the country’s gaining independence in 1961, the city became its capital, and the seat of the parliament and government institutions in the country.

The city extends as a narrow strip along the shores of the harbor. Other districts are situated on the neighboring hills. The central part of the capital can be compared with the appearance of a small English town in the late 19th century. There are a few modern high-rise buildings of glass and concrete offices of international corporations, the hotel 'Paramount' and the recently erected National Museum and Library. They contribute to the image of the city center.
The indigenous inhabitants of the country live mostly on the outskirts of the city. Industrial enterprises of the capital are in the eastern part near the port. In the dock area, one can find the largest and oldest market of Freetown, King Jimmy market, named after one of the leaders of local tribes.

The famous 'Portuguese ladder' made of stone is a historical monument of the 15th century. Using this ladder, the slaves were taken down to the ocean and loaded to the galleys.
Freetown is also a center of culture and education. Here is the oldest educational establishment in West Africa, Fourah Bay College. It was founded by the missioners for training priests and teachers. Ask your Sierra Leone tour operator to arrange an excursion which would demonstrate this great attraction from the best angle.

Bunce Island is located not far from the capital of this state and is considered a legend and a living reminder of those times when it was one of the important centers of slave trade in this country. England was the main slave dealer in the region, as evidenced by no small number of surviving reminders of the colonial past of Sierra Leone, and the United States was the main buyer of slaves. It is also here on this island that huge rice plantations were grown, where slaves were working day and night.

Visiting Bunce, you seem to travel back through time. Every pebble on the road here has some story to tell the tourists about glorious and the most shameful episodes of human history. Here you can encounter watch towers and other buildings, which served previously to protect these places from the French and the Danes.

Here you will see old crumbling huts, where slaves were kept. There is some evidence that the island was occupied several times by the invaders from other European countries. Also, this island is famous for being the first place in Sierra Leone where slavery was abolished. Bunce received the status of a protected area in 1948 and was thus named the monument of world importance. Moreover, this island is officially considered 'the most important historical landmark in Africa.'

Contact travel agencies in Sierra Leone if you need to organise a better tour experience. These travel professionals are the best source of cheaper flights, more comfortable hotels and experienced guides.
Festival in Sierra Leone