Day 1: Arrive Freetown
Speedboat from Lungi. Afternoon: Freetown orientation — Cotton Tree, National Museum, waterfront. Welcome dinner. Overnight Freetown.
Days 2-3: Gola Rainforest National Park
Day 2: Morning drive east (5+ hours) to Gola Rainforest National Park, a 71,000-hectare reserve protecting one of West Africa’s last remaining blocks of Upper Guinean rainforest. Gola is a global biodiversity hotspot: 330+ bird species, 60+ mammal species including chimpanzee, forest elephant, and the rare pygmy hippo. Afternoon introductory forest walk with Gola rangers. Overnight Gola research camp (basic).
Day 3: Full day in Gola. Pre-dawn trek to search for chimpanzees — Gola’s habituated groups offer one of West Africa’s best chimp experiences. Visit a picathartes nesting colony if accessible (the rockfowl nests on cliff faces and is one of Africa’s most extraordinary birds). Afternoon forest biodiversity walk — butterflies, frogs, and the incredible plant life of primary rainforest. Overnight Gola camp.
Days 4-5: Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 4: Morning transfer to Tiwai Island on the Moa River (approximately 4 hours). Settle into the community-run research camp. Afternoon forest walk: 11 primate species including Diana monkeys and chimpanzees. Evening boat trip on the Moa River at sunset. Overnight Tiwai.
Day 5: Dawn forest walk — peak primate activity. Full day exploring Tiwai’s trails with local trackers. With luck, the pygmy hippo (a nighttime forager often spotted near water at dawn or dusk). Afternoon: visit a nearby Mende village to learn about traditional palm wine tapping and community conservation efforts. Evening around the campfire. Overnight Tiwai.
Day 6: Number 2 River Beach
Morning departure from Tiwai. Drive west to the Freetown Peninsula’s most beautiful beach: Number 2 River Beach, where a freshwater river meets the Atlantic in a stunning sweep of white sand backed by forested hills. Afternoon: swim, kayak the river estuary, hike the peninsula forest, or simply lie on the sand. Sunset seafood dinner on the beach — the grilled lobster and barracuda here is legendary. Overnight beach lodge.
Day 7: Departure
Morning beach time. Drive to Freetown, speedboat to Lungi Airport for departure.
