Sierra Leone, 2nd

by Manson, Katrina; Knight, James

• ISBN13: 9781841624129
• ISBN10: 1841624128
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-02-05
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

Sierra Leone is about the size of South Carolina and manages to squeeze beaches, rainforests, mountains, savanna grasslands, marshes, mangrove swamps and rivers into its relatively small size. This new edition of Sierra Leoneinvites you to explore the hidden beaches on the country's Atlantic coast, climb to the top of Mount Bintumani, west Africa's highest peak, learn about magical customs, and experience world-class bird-watching.

Author Biography

Africa experts, Katrina Manson and James Knight, are journalists and photographers. Paige McClanahan is a journalist living in Freetown.

Table of Contents

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Education, Religion and cultural beliefs, Culture, Natural history Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Focus for Specific Groups, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Sport, Photography, Media and communications, Business and investment, Buying property, Retiring in Sierra Leone, Cultural etiquette, Language, Travelling Positively   PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Freetown History , Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information and cultural centers, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see Chapter 4 Western Area The interior, Bunce Island, The beaches Chapter 5 Southern Province Southwest of the Bo road: Moyamba, Shenge, Plantain Island, Sherbro Island, Turtle Islands, Turner’s Peninsula, East of the Bo road: Bo, Around Bo, Tiwai Island, Zimmi, Sulima Chapter 6 Eastern Province Kenema, Gola, Koidu, Around Koidu, The far east Chapter 7 Northern Province From Freetown to Makeni, Makeni, Around Makeni, The far north and northeast: Outamba- Kilimi National Park, Bumbuna Dam, Around Bumbuna Dam, Kabala, Around Kabala, Mount Bintumani, The northwest   Appendices. Index

Excerpts

‘On the wooded slopes of the Peninsula interior you can bathe in mountain pools, observe endangered primates close enough for them to biff you on the nose, and hike around the Western Area’s threatened forests. As for the coastline, all you have to do is indulge. For 25 miles. It provokes a little twitch of envy across the whole of west Africa, and visitors have been known to mutter about being in ‘tenth heaven’ as they set eyes on beach after beach, and dip toes in bathtub-warm water. Once the setting for a Bounty advert, these shores really do have a taste of paradise about them, bone-white sands stretching so far it feels like they could disappear round the globe and back, with only birds for company; wooden boats bobbin on placid waters far beneath forest-covered mountains disappearing into the mist; islands lazily snoozing out at sea; beachside villagers practicing fishing and football. Give yourself some time, an appetite for fresh fish, lobster and oysters, and get out there.’