Sierra Leone Country Profile

 

Sierra Leone Flag

Discovering Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa. It shares borders with Guinea in the north and northeast, Liberia in the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The country has a total area of 71,740 sq km, divided into a land area of 71,620 sq km and water of 120 sq km.
The country is a former British Colony uses English as the official language at education institutions, business transactions, public administration and by the media.
With a population estimated at 5.2 million, Sierra Leone comprises of three provinces with the Western Area further divided into fourteen districts. In eastern Sierra Leone the plateau is interspersed with high mountains, where Mount Bintumani reaches 1,948 m, the highest point in the country.
Typically, Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests.
Freetown is the capital, economic hub and largest city of the country and rests on a coastal cloak situated next to the Sierra Leone Harbor, the world’s third largest natural harbour. The other major cities are Bo, Kenema, Koidu Town and Makeni.
Sierra Leone has one of the world’s largest deposits of rutile and home to the third largest natural harbour in the world, the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
Guided birding safaris in the country can be thrilling especially at Yawri Bay. This coastal hub boasts rich tidal mudflats and mangroves, a cooler habitat to tens of thousands of rare bird species for a third of the year.

Tingi Hills

Wildlife safaris to Kangari Hills Forest Reserve especially for the bird enthusiasts are exceptionally captivating tours. The forest reserve which is part of a range of hills lies about 210km east of Freetown habouring wealthy forest wildlife community including forest and savanna dependent birds, chimpanzees and elephants. Kambui Hills Forest Reserve and the Tingi Hills in eastern Sierra Leone are also perfect natural destinations for forest walks.
Tingi Hills has the second highest peak in Sierra Leone, the Sankan Birriwa of an exceptionally scenic nature flourishing with rare game and plant species. It has an inspiring attractiveness to forest trekkers, hikers and nature conservationists.
Getting There
All travelers to Sierra Leone are required to have a valid passport or travel document. Citizens of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not require a visa to enter the country. Direct Sierra Leone flights from Europe are available from London and Brussels with several international airlines. However, there are no direct flights to Sierra Leone from the US. One option is Royal Air Maroc from New York via Casablanca. Other regional Sierra Leone flights are available with KLM, ARIK AIR, Gambia Airlines, Elysian Airlines and Bellview Airlines. All international flights arrive at Freetown International Airport, Lungi. WELCOME TO SIERRA LEONE!