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Itinerary
Day 1, Wednesday: Welcome to Sierra Leone
Our tour guide will meet you at Lungi International Airport at Freetown. Transfer by watertaxi to the hotel.
(-/-), overnight at Freetown
Day 2, Thursday: Visit Freetown; excursion to Tacugama
This morning you will be given detailed information of your trip and then you'll explore Sierra Leone’s capital. We visit the legendary Cotton Tree, the Gateway to Old King's Yard, the National Museum and St. John's Maroon Church. In the afternoon we drive to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Our guided tour takes about one hour which will give us the opportunity to experience a close encounter with the animals. The knowledgeable staff will provide us with detailed information about the history and the goals of the project. (50 km)
(B/D), overnight at Freetown
Day 3, Friday: Freetown – Tiwai Island
This morning we leave the country’s vibrant capital making for Tiwai Island, a beautiful reserve on an island in the Moa River. We pass small villages where people grow cassava, sweet potatoes and ground nuts. En route we stop at Bo and make a visit to the colourful market. At Bo we leave the tar road and continue on an unpaved road via Pokoru which brings us to the village of Kambama from where we take the short motorboat ride across the beautiful Moa River to Tiwai Island Wildlife Reserve. (280 km)
(B/D), overnight at Tiwai Island in a permanent camp
Day 4, Saturday: Tiwai Island
Today we partake in a genuine jungle experience. This pristine 12-sq-km island is host to 11 primate species, including the endangered and colourful Diana and colobus monkeys, as well as chimpanzees. We take a guided three-hour walk (easy) through the dense rainforest to go looking for the animals. In the afternoon we’ll take an idyllic boat ride along the Moa River to see crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat. We have time to relax on a sandy beach. After dinner there is the opportunity to go on a night walk (optional).
(B/P/D), overnight at Tiwai Island in a permanent camp
Day 5, Sunday: Tiwai Island – Banana Islands
An early morning start before breakfast will see us taking another short walk through the pristine forest. After breakfast we’ll take a boat ride back to Kambama and continue to Freetown Peninsula at Kent where we board a motorboat that will take us to Banana Islands, an archipelago consisting of three islands sitting opposite Kent Beach. The islands offer excellent snorkelling, diving and swimming opportunities. (300 km)
(B/D), overnight at Banana Islands
Day 6, Monday: Banana Islands
Today you have time at your own leisure. You can decide to relax on the beach and swim in the sea or walk around on the island. Alternatively, activities can be organised. There is a half-day guided walk across the island including the visit of a village and a bat cave. Or you can go on a half-day fishing trip in a paddle canoe (optional).
(B/D), overnight at Banana Islands
Day 7, Tuesday, Banana Islands – River No. 2 - Tokeh
After breakfast at our guesthouse we board a motorboat to get back onto the mainland. Some of Sierra Leone’s best beaches lie along the Freetown Peninsula. At Mama Beach, a busy fishing port in the south of the Peninsula, we stroll through the village to watch the fishermen mending their nets or unload their catch of the day. Later today we continue our journey to the postcard picture beach of Bureh and via York to River Number 2. We have time to relax on the beach or take a scenic pirogue ride along the River Number 2 (optional). (50 km)
(B/D), overnight in Tokeh
Day 8, Wednesday, Tokeh – Bunce Island – Freetown
A dirt road brings us back to Freetown where we board a water taxi that takes us to Bunce Island. The island, situated in the vast estuary of the Sierra Leone River is famous for its slave trading castle built in 1670. The fortress played a key role in the story of the Spanish vessel Amistad which was turned into a movie by Steven Spielberg. We visit the remains of the castle consisting of ground walls, decayed watchtowers and old gravestones of slave traders who are buried on the island.
Later today we return to Freetown.
(B/D), overnight at Freetown
Day 9, Thursday, Freetown - Kindia
Today we leave Sierra Leone heading to Guinea. Our destination is Kindia. Oil palm plantations are lined up along the road to the border. At Faremoyah we cross into Guinea. After immigration procedure we head north to Coyah from where a scenic drive takes us to Kindia. En route we stop at the pretty Eaux de Kilissi waterfall where we can take a swim in its natural pool. Towards evening we reach Kindia, Guinea’s third largest town. (380 km)
(B/D), overnight at Kindia
Day 10, Friday: Kindia - Dalaba
This morning we first visit a wood carver’s workshop in town and explore the gorgeous Voile de la Mariée waterfall. From there we head east to Mamou where we will arrive around lunch time. At Mamou we’ll leave the main road heading up deeper into the hills. En route we’ll relax at the idyllic lake Bafing. Later today we’ll arrive at Dalaba. From our hotel we enjoy a spectacular view over the mountains. Dalaba is our departure point for various excursions. (200 km)
(B/P/D), overnight at Dalaba
Day 11, Saturday: Dalaba – Half day trekking to Pont de Dieu (God’s Bridge) and time at leisure at Lac Dounkimagna
After taking breakfast at the hotel we’ll be driven to the outskirts of Dalaba, where we begin our four-hour walk (easy) through the magnificent rolling grassland of Fouta Djalon, passing crop fields and vegetable gardens. Our hike takes us to the impressive Pont de Dieu, a natural bridge over the Téné River. If we are lucky we’ll spot vervet monkeys or Guinea turacos living in the area. Leaving this paradise we cross a lush bamboo forest and small picturesque villages. We end our tour in one of the pine forests created by the French botanist Auguste Chevalier. Here in the shade of the huge trees a delicious picnic is waiting for us. After lunch we continue to Lac Dounkimagna to relax and take a swim in the clear refreshing waters of the lake. On arrival at Dalaba we’ll visit a leather workshop in town. (20 km)
(B/P/D), overnight at Dalaba
Day 12, Sunday: Dalaba – Excursion to Fougoumba and Ditinn waterfall
This morning an unpaved road brings us to Fougoumba, the religious centre of the Foula tribe, inhabiting the Fouta Djalon Highlands. En route we visit vegetable patches and fruit gardens irrigated by Lac Dounkimagna. Try the delicious strawberries or juicy oranges! After one hour we’ll reach Fougoumba, a small town which can boast a fascinating history. Sitting in the century-old thatched-roofed Case à Palabres, a kind of meeting hall where formerly the kings have been crowned, we will learn more about the powerful theocracy of the Foula kingdom. We leave the town heading towards Ditinn waterfall, Guinea’s tallest waterfall. Today we have a picnic enjoying this stunning scenery. In the late afternoon we’ll return to Dalaba. (70 km)
(B/P/D), overnight at Dalaba
Day 13, Friday: Dalaba – Doucky
After breakfast we leave the lovely town of Dalaba heading north towards Doucky. En route we’ll stop to meet fascinating people and to discover the magnificent nature of the Fouta Djalon Highlands. In the small village of Pouké we watch women skilfully weaving baskets. At Mitty we meet Monsieur Bah, one of Guinea’s most famous contemporary painters and at Pità we visit the town’s handy weavers. Alongside with these amazing encounters we explore two magnificent waterfalls: Cascade de Mitty, an impressively wide and mighty waterfall and the majestic three-tiered Kambadaga Falls. Doubtlessly one of the most beautiful waterfalls of West Africa! A rocky platform overlooking the Kambadaga Falls is the perfect spot for a picnic with spectacular scenery. A bumpy dirt road takes us to Doucky which we reach in the afternoon. On arrival we will have some time before dinner to walk to a lookout point which offers a fantastic view over what many call Guinea’s Grand Canyon. Enjoy a wonderful sunset! (150 km)
(B/P/D), overnight at Doucky
Day 14, Saturday: Doucky
We start our day with a four-hour walk (moderately difficult) accompanied by our amazing guide Hassan Bah. It’s a wonderland that nature has created around the small village of Doucky. This morning we discover Hyena Rock and Indiana Jones Wall. Those who are eager to continue exploring this otherworldly area have the opportunity to go on visiting after lunch. Doucky has plenty of highlights: mysterious caves and grottos, refreshing waterfalls with natural pools safe for swimming, bamboo ladders and vine bridges and if you are very lucky you might spot chimpanzees.
(B/L/D), overnight at Doucky
Day, 15, Sunday: Doucky – Kindia
Today we leave the craggy mountain plateau of Fouta Djalon making for the town of Kindia on a dirt road. The scenery is breath-taking, stunning views make this journey unforgettable. We wind our way up the serpentines of the adventurous road. We cross the rivers Kakrima and Konkouré on manually driven ferries and adventurous metal bridges. (185 km)
(B/P/D), overnight at Kindia
Day 16, Monday, Kindia – Conakry – Bel Air
Today we continue our journey to the coast. En route we have time to visit Conakry, Guinea’s vibrant capital. We’ll stroll through the fishing harbour and visit the National Museum. In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Bel Air, Guinea’s most beautiful beach (320 km)
(B/D), overnight at Grand Hotel Bel Air
Day 17, Tuesday, Bel Air
Today you will have free time to enjoy the beach location. An optional trip to the fishing village Koukoudé can be organised.
(B/D), overnight at Grand Hotel Bel Air
Day 18, Wednesday, Bel Air – flight to Europe
This morning we have free time to enjoy our last day in Guinea as we choose. The afternoon sees us journeying back to Conakry where our tour ends. Transfer to the airport. (230 km)
(B)
Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.
