The African country Sierra Leone is one of those pristine places that have all the tourist potential one may wish for, but their recent history seems to be spoiling the chances of the much needed growth of the tourist industry. The tragic and brutal civil war came to its close in 2001 and ever since, the country’s government has been trying to get their charming home back on its feet. With international assistance, the services and infrastructure are improving quickly, and it is very likely the country will soon be experiencing a tourist boom.
The state is located on the West Coast of Africa, neighboring with the Republic of Guinea to the north and Liberia to the east. The western part is formed by 402 km of coastline. Its tropical weather and appealing beaches present a perfect holiday opportunity. The dry season that extends from November to April is the ideal time for a visit.
There is one international airport which is separated by the capital, Freetown, by the Sierra Leone River. A ferry-ride takes about 45 minutes, however some of the machines are no longer reliable. Helicopter and hovercraft services are therefore much more popular with the tourists.
The services in Freetown are varied. There are plenty of internet cafés, several great hotels and groups of travelers are welcome to rent comfortable huts on the beach. There are some astonishing beaches in the area, they include Lumley, Goderich, Number 2 River, Hamilton, Sussex, York, and many others. Fishing is a popular activity here, there are no restrictions accept the use of explosives is forbidden.
Passionate nightlife is also developed in Freetown. The hotel-resident bands provide local and western music several times a week, and there are also some seasonal festivals worth visiting.
Local cuisine mostly contains rice, soups and special rather spicy stews. The perfect opportunity to enjoy the proper atmosphere is stride through local colorful and noisy markets. Other attractions include Sierra Leone Museum, St George’s Cathedral, Portuguese Steps or The Cotton Tree.
