CopaTravel.info


 
 

< HOMEPAGE

Travel and Tourism in Sierra Leone is a Hot Topic!

Until a few days ago, if you had asked me to tell you about Sierra Leone, I would have had to think long and hard to tell you much about this West African country. I could probably have explained roughly where the country is located. I may have mentioned something about the slave trade being connected to Sierra Leone. I could certainly have told you that they had experienced a brutal civil war. I might even have admitted that I wasn't entirely sure whether the war was 100% over. And that's about it.

Slavery and war. A pretty negative view of what is in fact an exceptionally positive country. Today, I see Sierra Leone from an entirely different perspective.

It is difficult to ignore Sierra Leone's history and focus purely on the present. Once a fertile area inhabited by dozens of tribes, it was settled by the Portuguese in the 1400's who built a fort as a trading post for gold, spices, ivory and slaves. A British protectorate in later years, Sierra Leone had the dubious honour of becoming home to more than 40,000 freed slaves who gave Freetown its name. As a protectorate, Sierra Leone was exploited for its mineral and diamond wealth in the 1900's and Sierra Leonean's fought against the Germans in Cameroon in the First World War, and alongside the British in the Second World War. In 1961, Sierra Leone achieved independence from Britain and governed itself peacefully for 30 years. The peace was not to last and was followed by a decade of brutal civil war that destroyed the economy, brutalised the people and left a country that is rich in resources as one of the poorest in the world.

The conflict was officially declared over in January 2002, and President Kabbah reelected in May 2002. Since then, the people of Sierra Leone have been pulling together to repair, renew and regenerate.

Whilst doing research for a new website looking at travel and tourism in Sierra Leone, I came into contact with Sierra Leoneans from all manner of backgrounds living in both Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Their passion for the country was infectious: they clearly wanted to get the message across that Sierra Leone has far more to offer than a sad recent history and that reconstruction is moving ahead at a rapid pace. And indeed, proof of reconstruction is everywhere - new roads are being built, mines are being re-opened, dam projects started before the war are once again underway, markets are once again thriving and humming with life. There is also a great deal of confidence in Sierra Leone's potential as a tourist destination: a Chinese company has recently invested a reputed US$270 million in the hotel infrastructure; enterprising companies like Kevin McPhillips Travel (based in the UK, USA and the Netherlands) offer exclusive twice weekly flights to Sierra Leone; African Tour specialists are researching viable package holidays in the region. The exciting thing about investment in Sierra Leone is that more is set to follow!

They have a right to be confident. The beaches along Sierra Leone's golden peninsula are said to be one of the world's best kept secrets. Secluded, clean and stretching for miles on end, beach tourism is one of the top items on the government's tourism promotion agenda. Beaches with very British names like Kent, Lumley, Sussex and York mix with more African names like Bureh Town, Tokey and Mammah beach, and

Although many of the forests and much of the wildlife has been disturbed and in some cases, destroyed, by the war, eco-tourism is an important focus of Sierra Leoneans and natural treasures like Outamba-Kilimi National Park, populated by game animals such as elephants, chimpanzees and pigmy hippos, and Mount Bintimani, the highest point in West Africa, are just two of the worthwhile wildlife attractions on offer. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues orphaned and captured chimps and has been described as one of the most successful Sierra Leonean wildlife endeavours, whilst Tiwai Island is home to over 3000 chimps as well as other game.

Lakes, rivers and dams are perfect for picnics and relaxing. The marshlands hide a myriad of colourful birds - indeed, the bird life has been less affected by the war than the animals, and everywhere you go, the air is filled with birdsong. Sierra Leone is a bird-watchers dream! Tiwai Island for one boasts over 135 different bird species!

For culture vultures and those with historical interests, the remnants of the slave trade make interesting and though-provoking expeditions. Bunce Island, a slave trading fortress, is a brief boat trip up the river; Freetown is itself a monument to freed slaves and its Cotton Tree, which stands in the heart of what is thought to be an old slave market, is now an impressive national symbol. Graves, monuments and forts are all that remain of British and Portuguese power in Sierra Leone: each has a tale to tell. There are over 16 different ethnic groups in the country, including the Krio, descendents of freed slaves who speak an English-based Creole called Krio, and visiting villages and chatting to people in markets and in the streets is rewarding for all parties!

Freetown is probably the most developed of the cities, offering a level of safety that is difficult to match even in Western countries. Hotels, restaurants and nightspots are sprouting like mushrooms, and eating out in Sierra Leone promises a range of traditional and international treats, and seafood that is beyond belief!

One has to wonder what attraction will tip the scales in making Sierra Leone the popular destination that it once was before the civil war. Based on my experiences with Sierra Leoneans in recent weeks, I feel that it will be the people who make the difference. Without exception, every Sierra Leonean that I have met or worked with has been proud of their country, proud of its progress and excited about the future. They are unfailingly welcoming, greeting aid-workers and travellers alike with smiles that you can only find in Africa, with an optimism - no, positivity - that other countries would do well to emulate.

For travellers in search of a "diamond in the rough", Sierra Leone offers a holiday like no other - my only advice to you is to visit sooner rather than later, to avoid what is sure to be a stampede once holiday-makers and tour operators latch on to this gem of a destination.

About the Author

Suzanne Whitby is the founder of Naturally Africa Dot Org (http://naturallyafrica.org/) which provides travel, tourism, business and event information about countries in Africa. To date, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Madagascar are live on the site.

Written by: Suzanne Whitby

NAVIGATION

10 Tips for Hassle Free Business Travel

11 Essentials Tips for the Business Traveler

11 Tips For Traveling With ME CFS or FM

18 Tips for the Christmas Traveler to Sleep Like a Baby

2006 Ford Expedition A Whole New Way to Travel

5 6 Trillion Dollar Travel Business Is Creating Millionaires

5 Romantic Travel Resolutions

8 Tips for Packing and Traveling Lite

A Complete India Travel Guide Launched

A TIME TRAVEL POSTCARD

ABCs of Adventure Travel

Add the New Braunfels Texas Wurstfest to Your Fall Travel

Air Travel around the world and let your cares fall by the wayside as you take wonderful vacations

Air Travel With Your Pit Bull Terrier Dog

AIR TRAVELERS AREN T ALONE JOB APPLICANTS CAN EXPECT TO WAIT IN LONGER LINES TOO

ALASKA BRIEF TRAVEL GUIDE

All You Need to Know About Travel Humidors

Along The Well Traveled Path

Alternatives for Business Travelers

An Adventurers Travel Checklist

Are you a Traveler

Are you travelling along the slippery slope to your grave

Asian Girls Dating Why Travel To Thailand

Assorted Tips For Business Travelers

Astral Travel

Baby Travel Systems

Beautiful BARCELONA Easy Travel Guide

Become A Travel Pro In One Easy Lesson

Boost Your Charitable Giving Responses with Travel Incentives

Breaking News Cognigen Is Now In The Travel Business

Brochures for Travel and Vacation

Bryce Canyon a stunning US travel destination

Build your business with Travel Incentives

Businesses Cut Travel in Katrina s Wake

Cancun Vacations offer the chance to travel Mexico and stay at some beautiful Mexico resorts

Cheap Travel Secrets

China Business Travel 101

China Travel Tips

Choosing The Best Travel Accommodation

Choosing Your Best Travel Destination

Coastal Vacations Largest Travel Package Marketer Pays Out Over Half A Million Dollars In Commissions Since May

Colorado travel guide

Contract Cleaners Travel To Expand

Convergence in Mobile Devices Drives Travel Technology Adoption and Innovation

Corporate Coach Hire A guide to choosing a company for executive travel

Corporate Housing It s Not Just for Business Travelers

Corporate Travel Management

Corporate Travel Policy

Costa Rica Travel Packages

Cruise Travel Home Business

Damanhur and Time Travel Viewing

Dare to Understand Travel Terms Then Sit Back and Enjoy Traveling

Deducting your combined biz vacation travel

Desiya com Redefining Hospitality Industry And Business Travel In India

Did I Pack My Toothbrush Getting Organized for Travel

Discover The Biggest Travel Secret In The World Today And Book A Free Flight

Do I need travel insurance

Do You Make These Air Travel Mistakes

Dog Travel Supplies

Dog Travel Taking a Vacation with Your Dog

Dogs On The Road Traveling Tips

Dogs Travel Worries Solutions

Dublin travel guide

e Marginalia Travel Beyond the Margin

Eating Well on a Travel Budget

Eight Great Tips For The Adventure Traveler

Electric Scooters A new way of travel

Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Adventures Change World Perceptions of the American Traveler

Eurail travel a way to extend a holiday to Europe

Exciting Vacations in Your Own Backyard You Don t Need To Travel Far To Experience A Memorable Getaway

Exclusive Travel Turkey

Extracting Real Benefits From Travel Expense Management

Finding Te Best Travel Reward Credit Cards

Finding the Best Travel Credit Cards

Finding Travel Deals

First Time Travel to Europe Your Six Month Planning Guide

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations

Four Ways to Free Low Cost Travel

Four Ways to Free Low cost Travel Around Greece and not only

Frequent Disneyland Travel and savings

Get Paid To See The World Become a Travel Writer

Getting the Most of your Cell Phone Batteries when Travelling

Getting The Most Out Of Your Travel Deals

GOLDEN RING of Russia Travel Guide Part 1

GOLDEN RING of Russia Travel Guide Part 2

Golf Travel Bags Choose Wisely to Protect Your Investment

Golf Travel Cases Avoid Vacation Mishaps By Protecting Your Clubs In Advance

Good Websites Stand Out From The Masses Of Boring Hard To Travel

Gullible s Travels

HAVE CLOTHES WILL TRAVEL

Have Laptop Will Travel

Have new technologies improved solo business travels

Have Pet Can Travel

Health Information for Travelers to Central America

Health Insurance for International Travelers

HELP FOR ROAD WARRIORS Ten Tips To Simplify Travel

Helping Familes find the right Car Seat for their little Travellers

Herbal Remedies To Prevent Travelers Diarrhea

HeroVacations com Adds Numerous Golf Travel Packages to Web Site

Highway Madness Holiday Travel In New Jersey

Hilton Head Island Travel Guide

History of travel luggage From the beginning to today

Home Based Travel Business How to Make it Work for You

Home Travel Agent Will I Be Able To Live On My Home Based Travel Agent Salary

How Business Travellers Can Stay Safe in the Worlds Hotspots

How Do You Stay Fit While Traveling

How To Be Safe While Traveling

How to Become a Travel Agent in 24 Hours

How to Ease Travel Sickness this Summer

How to find a Cheap Hotel for Business Travel

How to keep your baby happy while traveling Games

How To Make Business Travel Easier on Your Family

How to Pick a Travel Agency

How to save money buying travel online and get the best deal

How To Save Money When Traveling

How to Start Home Based Travel Businesses

How to Travel for Free by Leading or Promoting Tours

How to travel on journey of life successfully

How To Travel The World For Free

How Would YOU Like to Have a Travel Buddy Who Knows How to Pick up Girls

Important Things to Remember About Hotels and Traveling when Going to Asia

Indochina Travel and Tours

International Adventure Travel Ideas

International Travel and Health Insurance

Is A Travel Nursing Career A Dream Come True

Is there Really Free Travel on the Internet

Jasper Travel to Canada s Rocky Mountain Paradise

Laptop Care How to Protect Your Laptop When Traveling

Laptop Computer Extras for the Mobile Traveler

Learning To See By Traveling With a Teddy Bear

Limo Service Advice

London Travel Everything you need to know about London from eating out to staying in

Make money finding ways to cash in on the travel and tourism boom

Make Money While You Travel

Make Travel Plans For Tsunima Relief

Maradona did not travel with Boca Juniors

Maximizing Storage Options For Travel In Your Motorhome or RV

Medical Information for Foreign Travelers

MEGA WORLDWIDE TRAVEL ONLINE

Money Saving Travel Tips

Moneynet blasts high street travel agents for exorbitant insurance premiums

My Top Ten Tips For Selling Travel on eBay

Namibia A Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler

NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA TRAVEL SPECIALIST SPEAKS

Noise Cancelling Headphones A Travellers Best Friend

Noise Cancelling Headphones Are Not Just A Travel Accessory They re A Travel Necessity

Online Casinos Gambling Without the Travel Costs

Online Security while Traveling in the United States and Abroad

Online Travel Bargain

Online Travel Statistics

Optimising your travel website

Out on the road traveling at high speed Now we can hook our laptops up to high speed mobile wireless Internet

Pack List for a Cruise and other Travel Tips

Pet Friendly Travel 10 Tips for Hassle Free Travel with Your Pet

Pet s Records Can Ease Travel Play and Stays

Photography Tips While Traveling

Planning International Travel for Christmas

Planning on Doing Some International Travel Over the Holidays

Playing Your Cards Right Tips for Traveling with Credit Cards

Pluto Travels through the Mind

Prepare Young Drivers For Safe Winter Travel

Preparing to travel

Rail Europe for the Student Traveler

Reward your Employees with Travel Incentives

RoomSaver com Reels in Travelers Who Prefer to Plan Ahead

RoomSaver com Releases Survey Results Profiling Holiday Travel Destinations

RoomSaver com Releases Survey Results Profiling Travelers Reservation Habits

RV and Motorhome Vacations Offer Discount Travel Options

San Francisco Travel Discover the Mission District s Murals

Save Lots By Booking Your Travel Online

Save Up To 50 Off Hotel AV Equipment Rates With A Tech Travel Agent

Save Up To 50 When Traveling On Vacation

Saving money on European travel with rail passes

Secrets to Traveling with Children

Seven Secrets for Successful Travel

Seven Tips for Organized Holiday Travel

Shopping for the Best Luggage for Vacations and Business Travel

Single Travel Meet People the Fun Way

So you want to get free airline tickets Should you get a travel reward or cash back credit card

Some tips for the Travel Agent Making a Great web site

Start Up a Travel Photography Business

Staying healthy while traveling

Staying Mosquito Free While Traveling

Student Travel Backpacking In Europe

Successfull travel is not just cheap plane tickets

Successfull travel is not just cheap plane tickets Part 2

Survey indicates that nursing shortage is a concern to many Travel nurses may help ease the crisis

Survival China Travel Tips and Tricks

Taking Care of Your Health For Safe Travelling

Taking The Road Less Traveled

Taste For Adventure Try Traveling By Motorcycle

Technology For Travelers

Ten Tips Before You Travel

Ten Travel Commandments

The Advantages of Travel Chess Sets

The Benefits of Travel First Aid Kits

The Best Travel Games

The Business Traveler s Diet Problem Staying Fit When on the Run

The Chance To Travel Mexico And Stay At Some Beautiful Mexican Resorts

The Importance of Travel for A Writer

The Importance of Travel Insurance

The Many Benefits of Travel Protection Plans

The New Consumer A Teen s Eye View of Search Engines Online Purchasing Travel

The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled Open Eyed Internet Marketing

The Road More Travelled

The Top 100 Travel Products That You Can t Live Without

The Traveller Next Door My Friend Carol Expert on Turkey and Greece 1

The Traveller Next Door My Friend Carol Expert on Turkey and Greece 2

The Traveller Next Door My Friend Carol Expert on Turkey and Greece 3

The Traveller s Insurance Checklist

This Passport PREVENTS Travel

Time Travel

Time travel sci fi

Time Travel What s Your Speed and Direction

TIME TRAVELLING POSTERS AND PICTURES

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Travel Mug

Tips for saving money traveling in China

Tips For Traveling With Rover

Tips If Traveling To An Area With Bird Flu

Top 10 Tips For Traveling By Air With An Elderly Parent

Top 10 Travelers Tips for a Happy Family

Top Adventure Travel Jobs

Travel Agency Software How Sweet It Is

Travel Alaska An Adventure of a Lifetime

Travel and Fitness

Travel and Scenic Photography 101

Travel Arrangements and Insurance

Travel Asia Festivities and Fun

Travel Blog Your Next Vacation

Travel business opportunity seekers are smart people

Travel Canada The Calgary Stampede

Travel Comfort Discover How To Get Some Decent Sleep While Traveling Even Those Cramped Coach Seats

Travel Connections Stay in Touch

Travel costs are up but some companies are giving business

Travel Credit Cards

Travel Credit Cards For Travelers

Travel Doctor Q A

Travel Games

Travel Guide and Tourist Attractions

Travel Guidebooks Reviewed

Travel Health Insurance Know Your Coverage Before An Emergency Occurs

Travel Health Insurance Reimbursement Depends On Following The Rules

Travel Health Useful medical information for good health before your departure during your trip and after your return

Travel in Style Favorite Celebrity Vacations

Travel Industry Trends and Predictions 2004

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Helpful Tips For Your Trip

Travel Insurance Insurance For The Over 65 s

Travel Insurance Might Be Just What You Need

Travel Insurance rates

Travel Insurance Tips

Travel Journals

Travel Journey to Nepal

Travel Kashmir at cheapest price

Travel Light The How And Why

Travel Light to Work

Travel Money Belts Travel Security

Travel Nursing Career A Dream Come True

Travel Phobia and Fear Of Driving

Travel Photography

Travel Rewards From Using Your Credit Card

Travel Safety How to Take a Fearless Ride by Bus Train or Taxi

Travel Shanghai China

Travel Software Faster Better Smarter

Travel the World for Free

Travel Tips For People With Crohn s Disease

Travel Tips to America

Travel to Deep Space by Sitting at your Computer

Travel to find a Russian bride

Travel To Lake Louise Vacation Capital Of Canada

Travel To Russia Baikal Lake

Travel To Russia Kamchatka

Travel To Russia Vladivostok Russian Lord of the East

Travel to Turkey for the 2006 Total Solar Eclipse

Travel Wallet Checklist

Travel Web Sites 5 Dirty Little Secrets

Travel Will Create 144 Million New Jobs By The Year 2005

Travel With a Reliable Partner

Travel Without Taking A Look At TeeTimeWatch com

Travel Writer Jobs What Are They And How To Find Them

Travel Your Way To More Traffic

Travelcasting

Travelcasting Offers On Demand Vacation Sneak Peeks

Travelers Logon for Advice Before Booking Travel

Travelers with Disabilities The Untapped Market

Traveling Be sure to have a valid passport

Traveling Fitness

Traveling for An Interview 10 Tips to Get You From Here to There

Traveling for Business in Comfort The Right Wardrobe Is Essential

Traveling For Thanksgiving Keeping Kids Busy

Traveling in Mexico City The Ins Outs of Getting Around

Traveling in Wheelchair

Traveling on a Budget Try These Money Saving Vacation Ideas

Traveling on business Need Internet access

Traveling Out Of Body

Traveling to Boston Eight tips to save you a boatload of cash

Traveling to Europe with your digital camera

Traveling U S Passport Expediting Services

Traveling with Babies Toddlers

Traveling with Diabetes 11 tips to make it easy for you

Traveling With Kids

Traveling With Scuba Dive Gear and Equipment

Traveling with VoIP

Traveling With Your Dog Some Tips From The Road

Traveling with Your Pet A Quick Checklist for Pet Owners

Travellers Be Careful What You Eat

Travellers Make Your Health Policy Work For You

Travelling on business Need Internet access

Travelling Overseas Staying Healthy

Travelling safely with your child

Travelling Smart Overseas With Your Cellphone

Travelling To South America With A Tour Group

Travelling To Spain The Spanish Regional Travel Guide

Travelling to the UK from abroad

Travelling with your cat

UP UP AND AWAY Ten Steps To Simplify Travel Packing

Useful Tips For Women Traveling Alone

Vacation or Re location Beaches or Museums California Travel is Hot

Virtual Walks of Europe A Unique Travel Experience

What Is A Home Based Travel Agent

What is Travel Insurance

What To Look For In Credit Card Travel Rewards

What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog

What you need to know about Barcelona travel

What you need to know about Budget travel

What you need to know about Business travel

What you need to know about cancun travel

What you need to know about germany travel

What you need to know about senior citizens travel

What you need to know about Travel in Luxury

Wheelchair Travel Tips

When Traveling Abroad Use Your EQ

Who else wants to earn 1000 per DAY in Travel Industry

Why Buy Travel Insurance

Will You Be a Trusted Traveler

Work Life Balance Tips for the Business Traveler

Workouts That Travel

www my dubai co uk UK based Travel agency offers online booking of Flight and Hotel

Your Guide for Travel and Hotels in Columbia

© CopaTravel.info - All Rights Reserved