The Atlas Obscura Guide To Sierra Leone

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Sierra Leone

Updated February 13, 2025

Unusual Attractions in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Tiwai Island

This river island in Sierra Leone is home to impressive biodiversity and the country's first community conservation program.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

A rehabilitation center for confiscated, orphaned, and abandoned chimpanzees.

Kupr, Sierra Leone

Bunce Island

Home of the ruins of a British slave castle.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

National Railway Museum

After Sierra Leone's railways shut down in 1974, a collection of engines and other artifacts spent decades hidden away in this old workshop—now a museum.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Cotton Tree

The oldest of its kind in the country, this tree sits where formerly enslaved people are said to have founded the city of Freetown.

Sierra Leone

Outamba-Kilimi National Park

This national park is home to unique vegetation known as woodland savannah.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Old Fourah Bay College

The first European-style university in western Sub-Saharan Africa.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Old Wharf Steps

One of the oldest brick structures in Freetown.

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History & Culture 6

Slavery 4

Islands 3

Cemeteries 2

World War I 2

Conservation 2

Places To Stay 2

World War Ii 2

Architecture 2

Colonialism 2

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Stories About Sierra Leone

A map of West Africa features the world’s roundest country (which is also the 14th most rectangular). Can you spot it? What about the eighth most rectangular?

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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Sierra Leone

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Sierra Leone

Updated February 13, 2025

Unusual Attractions in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Tiwai Island

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Kupr, Sierra Leone

Bunce Island

Freetown, Sierra Leone

National Railway Museum

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Cotton Tree

Sierra Leone

Outamba-Kilimi National Park

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Old Fourah Bay College

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Old Wharf Steps

Plan Your Trip

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Sierra Leone Activity

Stories About Sierra Leone

What Are the World’s Roundest and Most Rectangular Countries?

Podcast: Pricilla’s Homecoming

How DNA From a 200-Year-Old Pipe Connects Maryland and Sierra Leone

The Victorian Traderess Who Battled Colonialism and Crocodiles in Africa

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