The Homecoming Tour 2025 – Passport Accession
From
Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Please note that the 2025 program below is not fixed – some of the day’s events can be changed based on the government’s requirements/plans.
If your root is traced to an ethnic group that is neither Mende nor Temne, then you could join either group for the ‘Naming & Robing Ceremony’ or we could organize a separate trip (at an additional cost).
The cost includes visa, a round trip airport transfers, airport security fees, accommodation, a guided tour, transportation (except for the ‘Free days’), activities, Passport fee, Heritage or Civic Education workshop, and meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Included/Exclude
- Visa
- Airport transfers
- Securipass Fee ($25 per person)
- Accommodation
- Guided tour
- Transportation (except for the 'Free days')
- Activities
- Passport fee
- Heritage or Civic Education workshop
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Flights
- Transportation on "Free Days"
Tour Plan
Arrive to Freetown’s Lungi International Airport, which is one of the world’s most uniquely-situated airports, located on the northern coast of the Freetown Estuary. On arrival, disembark and enter the arrivals hall for baggage reclaim. You will be met by a representative from VSL TRAVEL who will have a signboard with your name on it after customs. He will be available to deal with any immediate questions then get you on your private vehicle for transfer to the dock from where you take the 30 minute boat ride and make a charismatic entry to the city catching a glimpse of the towering hills over Freetown. Once in Aberdeen, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Barmoi or New Brookfields Hotel
Heritage/ Civic Education and Business/ Investment Workshop
After breakfast, your driver will escort you to the venue for Day 1 of the Heritage, Civic Education, and Business/Investment Workshop. This workshop will provide a comprehensive exploration of local heritage, civic issues, and investment opportunities, featuring presentations from experts, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities.
In the late afternoon or evening, after a productive day at the workshop, you will be transferred to your hotel. There, you can unwind and reflect on the day's experiences in a comfortable and relaxing environment, preparing for another engaging day ahead.
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the venue for the Heritage/Civic Education and Business/Investment Workshop
Today, embark on an enriching historical tour of Freetown, beginning with a vibrant exploration of the city's dynamic atmosphere. With a car and knowledgeable guide at your disposal, delve into Freetown's fascinating past by visiting its most iconic sites:
- Railway Museum: Discover the history of Sierra Leone's railway system, showcasing vintage locomotives and carriages.
- Old Fourah Bay College: As the first western-style university in sub-Saharan Africa, it attracted scholars from across the continent and played a crucial role in shaping the region’s intellectual history.
- St. George's Cathedral: Admire the architectural beauty and historical significance of this grand cathedral.
- National Museum: Gain insights into Sierra Leone's rich cultural heritage through an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits.
- Peace Monument: Reflect on the nation's journey towards peace at this symbolic landmark.
- Maroon Church: Explore the historic church built by the Jamaican Maroons who settled in Freetown in the 19th century.
- Cotton Tree: Learn about the incredible history of this iconic tree, which was sadly destroyed by a devastating storm recently.
- The Gateway to the Old King's Yard: Learn about the poignant history of this site, once a refuge for liberated African slaves.
- Fort Thornton: Visit the location of the Presidential State House and delve into its historical significance as a colonial fort.
Arrive at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
After lunch (not included unless otherwise stated), you will head for Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
You will see the amazing work being done by Bala and his team. Chimpanzees are often cruelly or ignorantly kept as pets, or sometimes hunted for their meat. Today however, more than 100 primates find haven at Tacugama, swinging from branches, hooting with happiness, throwing things at passers-by with the petulance of children, nuzzling each other with tenderness of mothers attending to newborns, and picking bugs out of each other furs with the attention of Madonna’s manicurist, even the least animal-friendly of visitors gets sucked into the magic within the moments.
Apart from the Sanctuary there are other attraction sites available in this area to occupy your time among which is the viewing of over 100 bird species that have been identified in and around the Tacugama Forest Reserve.
After the sanctuary tour, you're transferred to your hotel.
This morning we go to Bunce Island with a private speedboat, viewing the city from the coast as you go by. Bunce Island was the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa. Founded around 1670, it exported tens of thousands of African captives to North America and the West Indies until the British Parliament finally closed it down in 1808. Bunce Island is left to decay, and although this raises questions of preservation, it does have a certain charm. It is authentic, raw - a painful history that is burying itself under layers of greenery.
After spending a couple of hours exploring the substantial ruins on the island, including the factory house, fortification, slave prison, watchtowers, dormitories, storerooms, and power magazine, you will pour a libation in honor of our forefathers before being transferred to Tasso Island where you could have lunch. After lunch and a bit of rest, you are transferred to Freetown.
Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Today, you are on your own to explore and do whatever interests you.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Today is yours to explore as you please.
Independence Day is a national holiday filled with festivities, including parades, cultural performances, music, and speeches from government officials. The day is an opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to reflect on their history, honor national heroes, and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
With a vehicle readily available, you can explore any destination within Freetown.
On this day, we will divide the group into two based on your tribe lineage - the Mendes will be going to Senehun-Gola, and the Temnes will be going to Rogbonko.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Senehun-Ngola - Mende, Overnight in Bo
(Senehun Ngola is chosen for a special reason. Please Google ‘The Language You Cry In’ which documents the experiences of a Gullah Family who were able to trace their roots to Sierra Leone through a Five-Line Mende song believed to be the longest text in an African Language preserved by a black family in the United States. The Moran family of Harris Neck Georgia made a historic Homecoming to Sierra Leone in 1998 and visited Baindu jabati a Mende woman in Sehehun Ngola whose family had likewise preserved a similar song in Sierra Leone.
Cultural Experience: Visitors can take part in a Naming and Robing Ceremony at a place where history has demonstrated that women were captured from and taken to Georgia who then took the Five-Line song with them. The song is a funeral song and it was re-enacted for the Moran Homecoming (this can be arranged if desired).
Overnight at Dohas Hotel or Galliness Paradise, Bo
Rogbonko Village Retreat - Temne
Today we will pick you up for the trip to Robgbonko Village Retreat which will take around 3 hours. You will stop in Makeni with your guide to have a look around this provincial town after which you will have lunch before setting off for the final hour to Rogbonko via Magburuka.
Rogbonko Mathaka (meaning "The Place in The Forest"), is located 30 mins from Magburaka Junction. With no electricity, running water, telephones and little contact from the outside world, you will be meeting the villagers, witnessing their culture and sharing their daily lives. An outstanding aspect of Rogbonko experience is the basket weaving. The basket woven at Rogbonko is closely similar to the sweetgrass basket woven by the Gullah/Geeche and this skill is widely believed to have been retained by enslaved Africans from West Africa but especially Sierra Leone.
You will take part in a Naming & Robing Ceremony. .
Overnight at Wusum Hotel or similar, Makeni
This morning, we head to Kent Village on the Freetown peninsula to catch a boat to Banana Island, for a chance to explore this scenic paradise. Three islands make up the Banana Islands: Dublin and Ricketts are linked by a stone causeway. The third Mes-Meheux is uninhabited. We will be going to Dublin, with its backyard gardens, big breadfruit trees and rare and delightful butterflies. You will be welcome by the sleepy but friendly community and go on a tour of this quiet paradise.
These pristine islands are a wonderful place to experience laid-back Sierra Leone and there will be various optional activities available for everyone, including hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and or a scenic boat trip around the island. This is an opportunity to have an insightful land tour of the island and set aside some time to explore on our own around this virtually unknown area of West Africa. Lunch will consist of locally-caught fresh fish, prawns and lobsters (all subject to availability)
Overnight at Bafa Resort or similar. See below the link for more details about this Island:
https://www.visitsierraleone.org/banana-islands/
Transfer to River Number Two
After breakfast, depart Banana Island for River Number 2 via stops at Bureh Beach, York and Tokeh beach before continuing to River Number 2 beach.
Bureh Beach - home to the Bureh Beach Surf Club, a tranquil place that sums up what makes Sierra Leone so fascinating.
York - York is a distinctly Krio village with a rich history though the village also comprises of various other tribes. Prior to the arrival of the liberated slaves, the Sherbro were settled in the area and the village as called Momimi. York village is over 200 years old, predominantly Christian with old churches and beautiful layout and fauna. York is also the rural district headquarters for the region. The layout of the town and architecture of the houses are reminiscent of those in the deep south of the United States, a testament to the early settlers and re-captives who were starting a new life in the 19th century.
Tokeh - Tokeh is a small coastal village settled on the Western Area Peninsula has one of the most beautiful beaches Sierra Leone has to offer. Tokeh beach has a backdrop of lush, green mountains and the old wooden pier that runs into the sea make this place a visual spectacle. You can explore the area or spend your time on the beach or pool area.
River Number 2 is a captivating destination that offers more than just its stunning beach, majestic mountains, and lush mangrove forests. It’s also home to a community-run tourism initiative managed by the Community Tourism Development Association, established about 20 years ago. This organization is dedicated to preserving the beachfront, fostering tourism development, and supporting local communities.
At River Number 2, you can embark on various activities such as:
- Guided Forest Walks: Explore the surrounding lush forests with knowledgeable guides.
- Fishing Trips: Enjoy a day of fishing in the tranquil river waters.
For surfing enthusiasts, River Number 2 occasionally offers decent swells. Note that there are no boards available for rent locally, so be sure to bring your own if you plan to catch some waves.
If relaxation is what you seek, simply unwind on the pristine beach and soak in the breathtaking views. River Number 2 provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in a beautiful, community-focused setting.
Overnight at River Number 2 guesthouse
Today, depart Number at 11 AM to immerse yourself in the flavors of Sierra Leone by joining one of our local chefs for an engaging cooking class. Learn to prepare traditional Sierra Leonean dishes using fresh, local ingredients, and discover the culinary techniques that make this cuisine unique. This hands-on experience offers a deeper appreciation of the country's rich culinary heritage and provides an opportunity to create and savor authentic dishes.
In the evening, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the day's adventures.
Overnight at Barmoi Hotel
Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Today, you are on your own to explore and do whatever interests you.
Meal(s): Breakfast
This morning you can do some last-minute shopping at one of Freetown’s craft markets for gifts and souvenirs before being transferred to the airport for your trip home!