Help Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our tours, booking process, and travelling to Sierra Leone. Ask us directly.
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The best time to visit is during the dry season (November to April) when the weather is pleasant and roads are more accessible. However, we operate year-round — the green season offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds, and our team ensures full planning for any seasonal conditions.
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Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Most visitors can obtain a visa on arrival or apply online through the Directorate of Immigration. ECOWAS nationals can enter visa-free. We provide full visa guidance and can assist you through the process as part of our concierge service.
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The official language is English, but Krio is the most widely spoken lingua franca. Our guides are fluent in both English and Krio, so communication is never an issue. You'll also encounter Mende, Temne, and many other local languages — part of the rich cultural tapestry.
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The local currency is the Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE). USD is widely accepted in tourist areas and Freetown. ATMs are available in the capital. We accept multiple currencies for bookings and can advise on the best exchange options before your trip.
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Sierra Leone is generally safe and welcoming for tourists. We follow current government travel advisories, use professional vetted guides, and brief every traveller on practical safety tips. Like any destination, sensible precautions apply — but the country is known for the warmth of its people.
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Sierra Leone is famous for its stunning beaches (some of the best in West Africa), rich cultural heritage, warm and friendly people, diamonds, and being the home of freed slaves who founded Freetown. The country also boasts incredible biodiversity including chimpanzees, pygmy hippos, and rare bird species.
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Major mobile networks include Orange, Africell, and Qcell. SIM cards are inexpensive and widely available. 4G/LTE coverage is good in Freetown and improving in regional towns. Most hotels and restaurants in Freetown offer free WiFi. We can help you get a local SIM card upon arrival.
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Sierra Leone operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+0) year-round. There is no daylight saving time. This means Sierra Leone is typically 5 hours ahead of EST, 8 hours ahead of PST, and the same time as London during winter months.
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Pack light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat and sunscreen), insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle. For wildlife or nature tours, long sleeves and trousers are recommended. We'll send you a personalised packing list with your booking confirmation.
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Absolutely. Many of our tours are family-friendly with tailored activities and comfortable pacing for younger travellers. Please mention children's ages when booking so we can customise the experience and recommend age-appropriate activities.
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We offer three difficulty levels: Easy (minimal walking, suitable for all fitness levels), Moderate (some walking and light hiking), and Challenging (strenuous activities like forest treks). Each tour listing clearly states the difficulty level so you can choose what suits you best.
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Yes — personalised tours are our speciality. We can tailor any itinerary to your interests, timeline, and budget. Use our Custom Trip enquiry form or contact us directly. We'll work with you to build the perfect Sierra Leone experience from scratch.
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Our standard group tours are capped at 12 people to maintain an intimate, high-quality experience. Private tours are available for solo travellers, couples, families, and corporate groups of any size. Smaller groups allow for more flexibility and personal attention from your guide.
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Yes! We offer multi-day tours ranging from 2-day weekend trips to 10+ day comprehensive explorations of Sierra Leone. These include accommodation, meals, transport, and guided activities. Perfect for travellers who want to go beyond Freetown and experience the country in depth.
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Absolutely! Sierra Leone has incredible biodiversity. Our Tiwai Island tour offers excellent chimpanzee sightings, along with 11 other primate species. Outamba-Kilimi National Park has elephants and hippos. Bird-watching tours attract enthusiasts from around the world. We work with expert naturalist guides.
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All our tour prices include professional guide services, entrance fees, transportation as specified, and any activities listed in the itinerary. Meals and accommodation are specified per tour. Personal expenses, tips, and travel insurance are not included unless stated.
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Yes, all our guides are licensed by the Sierra Leone Tourism Board and undergo continuous training. They have extensive local knowledge, speak multiple languages, and are trained in first aid and safety protocols. Many have been with us for years and are passionate ambassadors of Sierra Leone.
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Booking is straightforward: browse our tours, select your preferred dates and tour variant, and complete payment online. You'll receive instant confirmation by email. For custom tours or large groups, use the contact form and our team will arrange everything personally.
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We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), bank transfers, and selected digital payment methods. All online transactions are secured by industry-standard encryption. For in-person payments in Freetown, we also accept cash (USD, GBP, EUR, SLE).
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Cancellations made 30 or more days before the tour start date receive a full refund. Between 15 and 29 days, a 50% refund is issued. Less than 15 days before departure, bookings are non-refundable but can be rescheduled subject to availability. We always review special circumstances with care.
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Yes — groups of 6 or more receive a 10% discount, and groups of 12 or more receive 15% off. We also offer bespoke corporate packages for team retreats, incentive travel, and company events. Contact us for a custom quote and we'll tailor a proposal to your requirements.
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We recommend booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during peak season (November-April). For custom tours, multi-day adventures, or group bookings, allow 4-6 weeks to ensure availability and proper planning. Last-minute bookings are possible but subject to availability.
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Yes, you can request changes to your booking date, tour variant, or number of participants. Changes made 14+ days before the tour are free. Changes within 14 days may incur fees depending on availability. Contact our team as soon as possible to discuss your options.
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Yes! Immediately after payment, you'll receive an email confirmation with your booking reference, tour details, meeting point, and pre-trip information. You'll also receive a reminder email 48 hours before your tour with final details and our guide's contact number.
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Absolutely. We use industry-standard SSL encryption and secure payment gateways (Stripe and PayPal) to process all online transactions. Your credit card information is never stored on our servers. All payments are PCI-DSS compliant for maximum security.
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For tours priced under $300, full payment is required at booking. For tours over $300, we accept a 50% deposit with the balance due 14 days before departure. Custom multi-day tours may have flexible payment schedules — we'll discuss this during planning.
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No hidden fees ever. The price you see on our website is the price you pay. Optional extras (like additional meals, upgraded accommodation, or special activities) are clearly listed separately. We believe in transparent, honest pricing.
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Yes, a receipt is automatically included in your booking confirmation email. If you need a formal invoice for business purposes, contact us with your company details and we'll issue one within 24 hours. We can also provide receipts in multiple currencies.
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Travel insurance is not mandatory to book, but it is strongly recommended. We advise policies that cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and emergency evacuation. We can point you toward reputable providers if needed.
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The CDC and WHO recommend Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever vaccines before visiting Sierra Leone. Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory and you must carry your certificate. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised. Consult your GP or a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before departure.
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Lungi International Airport is across an estuary from Freetown. Transfer options include a helicopter service (around 10 minutes), a water taxi/speedboat (30-45 minutes), or ferry and road (2-3 hours). For all our packaged tours, airport transfers are included and pre-arranged.
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Sierra Leonean cuisine is flavourful and varied — fresh seafood, plantain, cassava leaf stew, groundnut soup, jollof rice, and fried fish are local staples. Most dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergies) can be accommodated with advance notice. Our guides know the best local restaurants.
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We do not recommend drinking tap water in Sierra Leone. Always drink bottled or filtered water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Our tour vehicles carry plenty of bottled water, and all accommodations provide safe drinking water. Avoid ice in drinks unless from a trusted source.
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In an emergency, first contact your tour guide immediately — they are trained in first aid and emergency protocols. Our 24/7 operations team is always on standby. For medical emergencies, we'll arrange transport to the nearest hospital. Major hospitals in Freetown include Connaught Hospital and Emergency Hospital. Always carry your travel insurance details.
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Sierra Leone is generally safe for tourists, but like anywhere, use common sense. Avoid displaying expensive items openly, be cautious in crowded markets, and don't walk alone late at night in unfamiliar areas. Our guides will brief you on local safety practices and accompany you to all tour locations.
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E-visas are typically processed within 5-7 business days. Visa on arrival is issued the same day at the airport but can involve queues. Embassy applications take 10-15 business days. We recommend applying at least 3 weeks before travel to avoid stress. ECOWAS nationals don't need a visa.
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You'll need: a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity), passport-sized photos, completed application form, yellow fever vaccination certificate, proof of accommodation, return flight ticket, and visa fee payment. We can review your documents before submission to ensure everything is correct.
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Yes! While we cannot apply on your behalf, we provide detailed visa guidance, check your documents, share application links, and answer all your questions. For VIP clients booking premium packages, we offer expedited visa support and follow-up services.
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Our custom tours are built entirely around you — your interests, pace, budget, and group size. We don't use templates. Every itinerary is designed from scratch after in-depth consultation. You get dedicated planning support, flexible scheduling, and exclusive access to experiences not available on group tours.
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Fill out our Custom Trip Enquiry form or contact us directly via email or phone. Tell us your interests, dates, group size, and budget. Within 48 hours, we'll send you an initial proposal. We'll then refine it together through consultation calls until it's perfect. No obligation to book.
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Yes! We've arranged beach weddings, surprise proposals, anniversary celebrations, and milestone birthdays in Sierra Leone. We can coordinate with venues, arrange photographers, organize special meals, and create unforgettable moments. Share your vision and we'll make it happen.
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Our team is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (WAT). For urgent enquiries, call us directly — we are always happy to help.