Sierra Leone - James Knight, Katrina Manson

Thoroughly updated by a resident journalist, this new fourth edition of Bradt''s Sierra Leone remains the only English-language guide dedicated to this unique West African destination, one of just three countries where the über-elusive pygmy hippo can be found. One of Africa''s last ''hidden gems'', where coastal mountains and secluded beaches are the stuff of daydreams, Sierra Leone lives up to its nickname of ''Sweet Salone''. This welcoming country offers much natural beauty and culture, yet remains unsullied by mass tourism. In many places, local people are happily surprised each time they get visitors, and strive to make your stay the best possible. The country continues to be one of West Africa''s best beach destinations and trekking zones, the latter thanks to varied topography and the presence of Mount Bintumani, the region''s highest peak. Then there''s Ma Dengn (a new beach music festival); sanctuaries for rescued chimpanzees; tours of traditional wooden-board homes of the Krio people, descendants of repatriated slaves; and the significance of the UNESCO site of Bunce Island, a former slave-trading fort, as a destination for heritage tourism. You can also visit the infamous diamond mines and rainforest-covered mountains; search some of the burgeoning ecotourist sites for those pygmy hippos, explore the transboundary ''peace park'' of Gola Forest to track down the cave-dwelling picathartes birds; or simply relax on beach-blessed islands.The country has seen a hear
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