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The Best of Sierra Leone
Tour Code: SLE01A 19-day holiday to this less visited west African country in search of birds and mammals, including some endemic and regional endemic species, taking in varied habitats from coast to forest and savannah to river.
£7,395 (Inc flights)
£6,545
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Sierra Leone is a name that many people are familiar with; however, few are aware of the diverse range of wildlife that can be found in this less visited west African country. With habitat ranging from coastal estuaries to grasslands and lush forests, we can expect to find a superb variety of birds and mammals. Well over 600 species of birds have been recorded here, including all 14 of the Upper Guinea Forest endemics, along with over 200 mammal species, roughly 750 butterflies, over 2,000 higher plant species and around 100 species of reptiles and amphibians combined. Among the more unusual of these are the shy Pygmy Hippopotamus, the prehistoric- looking White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes), Rufous Fishing Owl, Gola Malimbe, Diana Monkey, Forest Elephant, rare wintering Pallid Harrier, Turati’s Boubou, Africa’s largest butterfly, the African Giant Swallowtail, and other endemic and regionally endemic species.
- Visit less known national parks for a diverse range of species
- Search for Picathartes and regional endemic birds
- Abundant wildlife (over 600 bird species and more than 200 mammal species recorded in Sierra Leone!)
- Primate hot spot, with over 10 species possible
- Stunning beaches along the coast
- Off the beaten track
Grading
There is a reasonable amount of walking included in this tour, including over some rougher and steeper terrain. On a number of days there will be long drives, some of which will be over uneven surfaces.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A mix of accommodation is used on this tour. Hotels or guesthouses will be used on some nights, which will range from fairly basic, but comfortable to more upmarket, but all with en suite facilities. During the days at Outamba Kilimi, Gola and Tiwai we will be using tents and shared facilities; sleeping mats are provided, but sleeping bags and liners should be brought.
- Food:
All meals from an evening meal on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 18 are included in the cost.
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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[description] => Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
