Tourism in Sierra Leone
Tourism Sector
Tucked away on the Atlantic Ocean, Sierra Leone is a splendid combination of 570 km of beautiful white sand beaches, vibrant tropical forests teaming with exotic wildlife and breath-taking mountains that serve as the backdrop to what is an extremely unique tourist experience in West Africa. There are endless possibilities in the tourism sector given the diverse ecology of Sierra Leone, proximity to international hubs and an untapped natural beauty that can rival any location in the world.
Some of the world’s endangered species of monkeys, baboons, birds, butterflies, pygmy hippos and a variety of antelopes and buffalo families can be found in the tropical forests. The temperate weather is ideal for swimming and other water sports along the established beach areas that are mainly being run and developed by local communities. Sierra Leone is also considered the premier location for sport fishing with record setting tarpon catches. It is also a hiker’s paradise with gorgeous mountain ranges like Bintumani. Furthermore, the country offers visitors its historic heritage and is a site for cultural tourism as many African Americans can trace their roots back to Sierra Leone including well known celebrities like Isaiah Washington. Sierra Leone’s greatest asset is its warm and friendly people that are the true representation of the laid-back feel of this West African gem.
Possible areas of investment include:
Establishment of hotels along the beaches and other eco-tourism locations across the country. Establishment of hotels and guest houses in District headquarter towns to serve the growing private sector demands for better quality rooms, conference accommodations, etc. Promotion of cultural tourism (ROOTS Tourism) for the African American Diaspora and others interested in this sub sector.
Overview of the Sector
The tourism sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. It generates almost US$ 4 trillion dollars annual and represents about 10% of the World GDP. Globally, this sector employs over 230 million people. Sierra Leone is poised to become a major player in global tourism and is expected to be competitive with other popular tourist hot spots in Africa such as Gambia and Seychelles given the plethora of sites and activities that can be enjoyed by visitors.
Sector Contributions by Countries
Sierra Leone’s tourism sector has been growing steadily with revenue growth of 10% in 2011 and it is expected to increase to 20% in the next 5 years. The number of first-time visitors is also on the rise. Between 2010 to 2012, there was a 19.7% increase in visitors to Sierra Leone for holiday, business, conference or visiting friends and family. The sector has benefited from serious policy reform by the Government to engender investment and growth. These reforms include: the development of new incentives for investors who want to invest in the sector; target tourism product and marketing development around the Western Peninsula; further review and upgrading of regulations to ensure a more competitive edge; and capacity building of key Government institutions related to tourism to improve service delivery.
Investment in this sector has typically been driven by domestic entrepreneurs in hotels and guesthouses in the capital city of Freetown and other district headquarters as a response to the boom in the mineral sector; however, much investment has not gone into accommodations for ecotourism which is an important sub-sector. There are lucrative prospects across the country to promote eco-tourism not only in the beach areas but the tropical forests.
In 2012, the demand for business and conference rooms was about 115,094 and the available supply was a paltry 49,275. The demand for Class 1 rated rooms in 2009 was 113, 679, and there was a gap of over 80,000 in unmet demand. Even through Class 1 rated hotels have increased from 105 to the present number of 135, it is still not enough to meet the market demands.
Further investments have been made by the Government to upgrade the airport infrastructure, expanding arrival facilities and improving security especially in the handling of baggage.
Eco Tourism
Outamba Kilimi National Park
The main Ecotourism attraction in the Northern Province is Outamba-kilimi National Park. A mixture of Savannah and jungle, the Park is found in the northeast of Kamakwie in the Bombali District. It is a magical place embedded between two rivers, the Great Scarcies, and the Mongo Rivers. It is home to elephants, hippos, leopards and other primates.
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
This outfit is locally owned and operated as a home for rescued chimps before they are released into the wild.
Tiwai Island Wildlife Resort
Tiwai is a unique rainforest island where visitors can camp in prepared tents surrounded by an evergreen forest and the sounds of horn-bills and monkeys calling from the canopies woke you up in the early hours of the morning. With 11 species of primates, over 135 different bird species, and it is home to the rare pygmy hippo.
Shebro Islands
This is one of the premier locations for Sportfishing of Tarpons and other exotic sea animals.
Gola Forest
It is known as Sierra Leone’s green diamond. Some 40km east of Kenema is the Gola Rainforest National Park, officially opened in 2010 and only Sierra Leone’s second national park. This Park can boast of exotic flora and fauna and wildlife, and it is one of the few protected parks in the sub-region.
Breath-taking Beaches
Lumley Beach
Located in Freetown along Lumley Road is the famous Lumley Beach. It is beautiful with golden sand facing the Atlantic Ocean. There are lot of hotels and guest houses available, together with decent restaurants, entertainment spots, and art and crafts shops. It is an ideal area for relaxation and t the same time close to the city centre.
Peninsular Beaches
The Western Area Peninsular is lined with some of the most spectacular and pristine beaches in Africa. It won’t be long until tourists discover these unspoilt gems and start coming to enjoy a piece of paradise in the sun in their droves.
Goderich Beach
About 15 minutes’ drive from Lumley, this beach is mainly used by fishermen and has a clear view Lumley beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
Lakka Beach
With golden sand, Lakka beach offers its visitors tranquillity and relaxation and its ideal for a quick trip from the city centre for a day or, to stay overnight in one of the many small guest houses. Getting there takes about half an hour.
Hamilton Beach
Five minutes’ drive from Lakka, Hamilton beach is covered with golden sands and is one of the hidden gems of the peninsular. The water is clear, clean and deep with large waves. Laguna Resort offers sea excursions at the affordable prices to those that book in advance.
Sussex
With its long, empty golden shore line stretching in both directions, Sussex beach is best enjoyed at sundown or very early in the morning and is ideal for scuba diving. As the sun sets down over the ocean, it is the most romantic spot to be. Eat Italian cuisine at the sumptuous Franco’s, take a weekend boat trip to Banana Islands or spend the night at Florence’s resort.
River No. 2 Beach
River No. 2 is one of Sierra Leone’s finest white sand beaches backed by luscious tree-covered mountains that slope down the sea. You can play around in the shallow current of the river before it meets the sea, sunbathe, take a guided walk in the forest, go on a boat trip, buy some arts and crafts, or chat to the friendly locals. There is a solar-powered accommodation and restaurant, all run entirely by the community as a tourist facility. All proceeds from tourist revenue go into a community fund for development.
Tokeh Beach
Frequented by supermodels and actors in the 1980s, Tokeh is ideal for a day trip or overnight stay. Chill on the beach, eat and stay at the Tokeh resort or one of the local guest houses and meet the crocodile lady from the river with the promise of fresh fish. Tokeh is 40 minutes’ drive from town on four-wheel drive and 10-15 minutes from River No. 2.
Black Johnson
Black Johnson is a black-sand beach and is home to Tito’s Paradise Eco lodge where the rain forest literally spills onto the beach. Nearby, fresh water from Big Water and Whale River flows through rocks into the sea making it an ideal spot for tourists.
John Obey
John Obey is home to Tribe wanted, a sustainable eco-tourism project built by the local community and guests who stay there. Do as little or as much as you want, stay in one of the mud domes or log cabins, or sleep in tents on the beach. All meals, included in the price, are prepared by the local chef and eaten communally with other guests.
Kent Beach
Has a very beautiful beach with golden-brown sand, is ideal for boating and other sea sport. A luxurious accommodation equipped with modern is now in the making. The village is also a home to historic artefact and vestiges of the slave trade.
Bureh Beach
Bureh beach is a magical spot that keeps bringing people back. The main beach stretches north and hidden behind trees around a rocky out crop easy enough to scamper over at high tide. It is a large and beautiful bay which is home to a new surf school. Bureh is 45 minutes’ drive by four-wheel from Freetown. Camp on the beach or stay in one of the many small guest houses. The Bureh Town Beach Organization offers meals of grilled fish of the day, lobster, crab and oysters.
Old Fourah Bay College
Established in 1827, Fourah Bay College was the first European-style university in western Sub-Saharan Africa, and the first high-level institution since one located in Timbuktu collapsed. According to UNESCO, “The Old Fourah Bay College is perhaps the single most influential institution in Africa in accounting for the penetration and acceleration of the spread of Western education on the continent.”
The building was used until the late-20th-century. It also once housed the Sierra Leone Government Railway headquarters, and later the Magistrate court. During the Sierra Leone Civil War, the building was used as a shelter and was burned in 1999. Only the external brick walls and iron entryway have survived. The World Monuments Fund lists this building as one of the “world’s 100 most endangered historic sites.”
Bunce Island
Bunce Island was the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa. This is a must see for anyone interested in the history of the slave trade. You cannot hear the story of Bunce Island without being moved by its history. Founded around 1670, it exported tens of thousands of African captives to North America and the West Indies until the British Parliament finally closed it down in 1808.
Cultural Tourism
Bunce Island: This is the location of the slave castle built in the 17th century that was used as a collection point for slaves going to Europe and the Americas. Many African Americans can trace their roots to this site.
Freetown: Home of the freed slaves, it was founded in 1789. Freetown today has an interesting mix of different heritages from across West Africa and Sierra Leone itself. Some of its monument that can be trace back many years such as Old Fourah Bay College (the first University in Sub-Saharan Africa) and Old Warf Steps also known as Freedom steps which is where the first freed slaves stepped foot on Sierra Leonean soil. Further, there is a vibrant night life that many visitors enjoy mostly located around the beach areas.
EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES
Tokeh Sand Beach Resort: This project is an existing resort on over 2-acres of land. They are building about 50 bungalows with full amenities such as a spa and gym for high end tourists. There are opportunities for investment partners to expand the project to feed growing demand.
Eden Park Resort: This facility is already operational and sits on 5 acres of prime beach front property in Mamah Beach. The investors are looking to expand the facilities through a joint partnership to meet international standards and growing demand and it is expected to cost approximately US $11.7 million.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Business Hotels: There is a growing demand for business class hotels. Currently, the demand is not being met and in 2012 alone, there was an unmet demand by corporate visitors to the tune of 80,000 room nights or 493 rooms.
Recreational Hotels and Resorts: Projections indicate that the tourism sector is expected to boom in Sierra Leone and its contribution to the GDP which was about 6% in 2012 is expected to remain at this high based on the increased number of visitors coming to Sierra Leone and their spending capacity. In an effort to pre-empt the boom and ensure market positioning, this is a good period to invest in non-business recreational facilities especially for group tourism.
Middle level Hotels and Motels: With the growth of the mining sector in Sierra Leone there is an increased need for accommodation for expatriates coming into the country on short term assignments. These types of accommodations will serve the market outside of Freetown which is where most of the mining activities are taking place.