Sierra Leone Travel Guide

Sierra Leone OVERVIEW

Decade-long civil turmoil of wars and rebels, not infrequently involving the underage, made Sierra Leone hit headlines with blood stains. With peace declared in 2002 though, the memories of atrocities slowly fade away and the country has been cherishing a relatively stable political situation for some time now. Along with the restored law and order came investors, reconstruction and holidaymakers willing to savor some palm-shaded, golden sand-sprinkled summer time. No wonder, for Sierra Leone has advantages to win its tasty piece of the packaged-holiday gateau. However, it will surely take a while before this West African country successfully overcomes its economical problems and reaches to its visitors.

Sierra has issues that need to be handled carefully before going into the tourist business. Although the Republic is the world's tenth producer of gem-quality diamonds, the famed and much-desired blood diamond among them, its economy faces serious challenges like high unemployment figures and subsistence agriculture accounting for more than 50 % of the country's income. Ranking second last in the Human Development Index, fighting chronic shortage of resources in the public sector and with an education system that barely meets expectations, the land and its people have a long way to go up the prosperity hill.

Apparently, it is not only diamonds and titanium that Sierra Leone abounds with. Among the resources is also the optimism of its people believing in their land's tourist potential. And who else could know better about the best beaches in Africa, a vibrant colonial heritage and some scenery to take not one a breath away? Wander a bit and you'll see that the rewards are many - more than 300 miles of pristine coastline, verdant Tingi Hills with the best of hiking routes, the wildlife treasure trove of Outamba Kilimi or Tiwai Island, the rainforest-clad Mount Bintumani waiting to give you an intensive lesson on primates and Lake Sonfron, a remote mountain-fringed natural gem. Much unexplored, Sierra Leone is starting to temp more and more of not only the intrepid travelers. Deservedly.