How to Find Luxury Hotels in Sierra Leone

Home to some of West Africa's best beaches as well as to what remains of its rain forests, Sierra Leone holds great potential for the adventurous traveler. From the mountains in the east to unspoiled beaches in the west, this beautiful country is a nature lover's dream come true. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access for making reservations

Instructions

Choose Your Lodging in Sierra Leone

1. Allow the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone to help you book your accommodations. You can call them at 011 ([phone], or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Secure luxury accommodations in the Aberdeen section of Freetown. Enjoy easy access to Lumley beach.

3. Savor fresh seafood and the best dining Freetown has to offer at one of several hotel restaurants in Aberdeen's Man of War Bay.

4. Splurge on luxury accommodations in Freetown, the country's capital city. Enjoy air-conditioning and access to the Internet. Expect to pay anywhere from less than $125 per night.

Prepare for Your Hotel Stay in Sierra Leone

1. Know that unless you are a citizen of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), you'll need both a passport and a visa in order to enter Sierra Leone.

2. Book a flight into Sierra Leone's international airport at Lungi, which is just a short helicopter ride away from Freetown.

3. Communicate with the locals in English (the official language) or Krio (understood by 95 percent of the population).

Know Your Destination

1. Realize that peacekeeping forces and a thriving private sector have restored Sierra Leone to its pre-civil war safety and stability.

2. Swim, surf and sunbathe on immaculate Sierra Leone beaches just steps away from the doors of your luxury accommodations.

3. Be prepared for Sierra Leone's notorious heat and humidity.

Be Familiar with Local Information

1. Enjoy breathtaking encounters with African wildlife during guided tours through Sierra Leone's Outamba-Kilimi National Park.

2. Thank Freetown's large Lebanese population for the abundance of high quality Lebanese food available at most area restaurants.

Tips & Warnings

• Power is limited in Freetown. Only the highest-end hotels have electricity 24 hours a day.

• International phone numbers here include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."

• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• Reduce vulnerability to the region's many tropical diseases by using insect repellent and taking preventative medications. A pre-trip consultation with your health care professional is strongly recommended.

• Plan for a cash-only vacation. Credit cards are not accepted anywhere in Sierra Leone except at the airport duty-free shop and the Cape Sierra Hotel.

• Avoid hassles by exchanging your currency for Leone (leone, or le, for short) before you arrive.

• Avoid visiting Sierra Leone during the rainy season. Flooding is common from April to September.

• Avoid traveling near the areas of Sierra Leone bordered by Guinea and Liberia. These regions are unstable and are not suitable for tourists.