FREETOWN TO FREETOWN (11 days) Sierra Leone Encounters

The trip starts with a transfer from Lungi Airport in Freetown on day 1. Your first night of accommodation is included at the Barmoi Hotel (or similar).

Hotel Barmoi in Freetown offers a delightful escape with its elegant rooms boasting balconies and stunning ocean views. Guests can indulge in delicious meals at the restaurant and bar, unwind by the outdoor pool, or stay active in the fitness center. With its serene atmosphere and convenient location near Lumley Beach, Hotel Barmoi provides a tranquil and memorable experience for both leisure and business travelers.

Trip Joining Point: Barmoi Hotel - Freetown

Start Time Day 1: You can arrive at any time on day 1.

Address: 75C Cape Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Telephone: +232 30 960016

Website: https://www.hotelbarmoi.com/ 

Breakfast is included in the below rates.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS:

Airport Transfers are included in the cost of your adventure. Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary, plus on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days.

Once you have processed your visa and collected your luggage, you should follow the crowds to the terminal exit to meet up with your Transfer Representative. Your driver will be waiting along with all the other transfer drivers and will be holding an Oasis or Encounters Travel signboard.

For any last minute requests please contact the UK office at africa@oasisoverland.co.uk and we will confirm the costs.

We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t normally include international flights in the main tour price. We are however very happy to suggest flights to go with the tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from.

Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour. Nearly all our Sierra Leone tours start and finish in Freetown. You can fly into Freetowns Lungi International Airport (FNA).

We do also sometimes advertise flight inclusive packages from selected airports. Where these are shown on our website, prices are correct at the time of quoting, but are subject to continued availability of the fare used. Prices will be reconfirmed at the time of booking, and we will also provide the flight times and airline details before tickets are issued.

Flight CO2 Emissions:
Traveling by air is an amazing way to explore the world, but flights also contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that impact the environment. By considering the airline's CO2 emissions when you choose your flight, you can help minimize your travel footprint. When selecting your international flights and airline, we do therefore recommend that you try and also take into account the flight CO2 emissions. Some airlines and flight search websites (eg. Google Flights, Skyscanner) do publish this information, so you can compare between your flight options and make an informed decision. Thankfully, many airlines are working towards sustainability efforts, and choosing a greener option allows you to contribute to positive change while still enjoying your incredible adventure.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your trip finishes. This is a general requirement for all of the countries we travel to on our trips.

If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip. It is your responsibility to ensure you have all the relevant visas you require.

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies, including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Recommended vaccinations and health precautions vary depending on your travel history and health conditions. It's crucial to consult your doctor or a travel clinic for the most up-to-date information on vaccinations and health advice for Sierra Leone. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including those for occupational risks, lifestyle, and any underlying health conditions.  

In addition, consider the following vaccinations for Sierra Leone:

Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Sierra Leone.
Other recommended vaccinations: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Rabies.
Malaria is present in Sierra Leone and anti-malarial medications are recommended. 

For the latest travel health information, consult your doctor or refer to reliable sources like the CDC or WHO websites.

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Oasis trip and at the very least are insured for all necessary medical and repatriation costs incurred.

You will be asked to provide the following details if you have not already done so: travel insurance company name, insurance policy number & insurance emergency telephone number. You will also be required to give a copy of your policy with this information to your Tour Leader on arrival with confirmation that the policy duration is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of your trip.  It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping.

We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". It is also very important that you are covered for all the activities that you may wish to undertake while on our trip. It is extremely important that you check the full extent of your cover related to 24 hour Medical Emergency Assistance. In the event of you needing medical treatment you want to know that you have the best cover available to you. Your policy should include adequate Medical Emergency and Repatriation cover as well as Cancellation, Baggage and Personal Liability cover. You need to be aware of EXACTLY what activities your policy covers you for. Please note that skiing is not usually covered in most insurance policies. Please note also that many of the areas we visit are not as developed as the UK and we have no control over the availability or standard of medical and repatriation services and facilities in the areas we visit and these do not form any part of our contract with you.

You should also note that passenger liability insurance covering vehicles, particularly in Third World countries, may be unavailable or inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover makes sufficient provision for you and your dependents in the event of an accident.  

We are happy to refer our UK based travellers to the travel insurance specialists Campbell Irvine who have a policy suitable for overlanding which covers most of the adventure and sporting activities on our trips.

Please be aware that most travel insurance policies will not cover you if you are visiting areas against government travel advice.  If your trip will go through areas like this (for example, some of our Trans Africa routes through West Africa) then you may need to look at an alternative policy for these sections, for example Battleface or SafetyWing.

For further information, check out the Travel Insurance section of our website. 

The local currency in Sierra Leone is the Leone (SLL). The Leone can fluctuate in value against the British Pound and the US dollar. You don't need to obtain Leones before your trip, as exchange facilities are available at the airport, banks, and some hotels. It's helpful to have small denomination notes and coins on hand for tips, restrooms, and small purchases. ATMs are available in major towns, and some shops accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may add fees – it's wise to confirm before paying. Traveler's cheques are not recommended due to limited acceptance and potential high fees. You may find that some stores, particularly in Freetown will also accept USD. 

While in Sierra Leone, you'll need money for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tipping and personal expenses like laundry. These are generally paid for in Leones.

Personal spending needs vary, but as a guideline, we suggest budgeting at least USD 10-15 per person per day. If you plan on shopping or purchasing alcoholic drinks, you may want to allow more.

There is no local payment on this small-group tour.

Tipping in Sierra Leone is not compulsory, but it is a common practice to show appreciation for good service. While service charges are sometimes included in hotel and restaurant bills, small tips are also welcomed by staff. When tipping, consider the quality of service and the local context. A typical tip for services like baggage handling or a small act of kindness could range from 10,000 to 30,000 Leones. Remember to tip discreetly and with a smile.

It is customary to tip local guides and drivers for where good services has been received. We suggest coordinating tips as a group at the end of your tour. You should not feel obliged to tip any particular amount, and should consider your personal budget. We are often asked to provide a guide however, and can suggest that approx. USD 5-7 per person per day would be appropriate.

The price of this tour includes the cost of entrance fees to visits included in the tour itinerary. Should you wish to visit any monument that is not included in the standard tour itinerary, the entry ticket for this is not included.

Luggage: Suitcases, rucksacks, or fabric holdalls are all suitable for your trip to Sierra Leone, however due to the number of accommodation changes, you may find using a rucksack easier to handle. A small daypack is also recommended for carrying essentials during the day. Your main luggage will usually be left at your accommodation, and porters are often available to assist with heavier bags.

Luggage Limits: There are no specific luggage limits for this tour. However, airlines typically have restrictions, usually between 20kg and 25kg for checked luggage and 5kg to 10kg for carry-on luggage. Confirm with your airline before departure.

Clothing: Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, so pack lightweight and breathable clothing. Evenings and higher altitudes can be cooler, so bring layers for varying temperatures. Formal attire is not necessary. Long sleeves and trousers offer protection from mosquitoes and are recommended for modesty, particularly for women. While shorts and T-shirts are acceptable in tourist areas, it's best to dress respectfully and avoid overly revealing clothing. When visiting villages or religious sites, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. We also recommend bringing along a good pair of hiking boots/shoes. 

Other items: A light sleeping sheet or liner can provide comfort, and a light sleeping bag might be needed for cooler nights. Essentials include a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a basic first aid kit, toiletries, a small towel, a money belt, a small torch, a camera, chargers and battery packs. 

The internet and WiFi are available in many towns / cities you will visit. Do bear in mind that the connections can be unreliable and will not always be as fast as you are used to at home.  If a lot of people try to use the internet at the same time the speed will be slower still, especially if trying to make Skype calls or upload photos / videos.  During periods of the trip where we are wild camping, internet will be less common.

Some travellers choose to take an unlocked mobile phone with them and buy local SIM cards or E-Sim in each country, allowing them to use mobile data.  If you particularly want or need regular internet access this may be a good option. Telephone calls can be expensive usually £1 to £5 for a three minute call.

Online Diaries - A great variety of free "travel blogs" are now available online, they are a good way of keeping relatives and friend up to date with what you are doing and a good place to upload photos, collecting messages as well as keeping a record for yourself.

Before you go

• Remove unnecessary packaging before you go - waste disposal facilities are often stretched or non existent in the places we visit. To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you.
• Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel or at least rechargeable batteries.
• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history/culture before you go. You'll get so much more out of your trip.
• Why not pack some pens/pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you're away. You can also purchase these items cheaply, locally which will help local businesses.
• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip. We carry large quantities of purified water with us on our Expedition vehicles and it is much better for the environment if you drink this, rather than purchase bottled water along the way. (It also saves you money).
• Water-to-Go: Oasis Overland have partnered with Water-to-Go to help reduce the number of plastic water bottles consumed during a trip. Water-to-Go is a filtration system that eliminates over 99.9% of all microbiological contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals from any non-salt water source. Click here and enter the code OASIS15 to purchase your Water-to-Go products at 15% discount. Water-to-Go will then donate a further 15% to Oasis Overland Charity projects.

• Don't waste water. It is a scarce resource in many of the places our trips visit. On all our Ultimate and Overland Expeditions we carry large quantities of purified water with us. We encourage you to refill your own water bottles from this supply, rather than purchase bottled water along the way-much more environmentally friendly and saves you money.
• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact of it being illegal it also encourages the trade to continue.
• Look after and preserve the areas we visit. Be careful about stepping on coral reefs or trekking on undesignated tracks.
• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy.
• Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you & don't worry about what someone else has paid.
• Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers. Sitting in a local cafe is also a great way to meet local people.
• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife.
• Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury they might seem to you, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and make sure it is never near (at least 30m) a water source.
• When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that their natural behaviour is impeded.
• Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you travel through.
• Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first. Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals.
• Recycling is almost non-existent in many of the areas and countries we visit - we do the best we can with limited resources & space on our vehicles.
• For books dedicated to travelling more responsibly & ethically see: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offer country-specific advice, regarding not only security but also entry regulations, local laws and customs and health. We strongly recommend all travellers visit the FCDO website, or the equivalent in their home country, to familiarise themselves with local conditions and issues in the countries they plan to visit before committing to a trip with us. You can view their website here.

If you have any questions at all about the safety or security of your trip, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss your trip in more detail.

In cities - All major cities have their share of petty crime (just like our cities) and sensible precautions need to be taken.  Wearing expensive looking jewellery or watches and carrying cameras will draw unnecessary attention to you.  Leave valuables such as passports and excess money in your hotel safe (we recommend carrying a copy of your passport details page at all times). You may find a simple money belt is more discreet than a bag. Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in cities it's best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets, single women in particular need to be careful and we would suggest that it is safer to be in a group.

Oasis does not take responsibility for clients' personal items and we advise you to not take items of value that are not essential for the journey.