Sierra Leone’s tourism story continues to shine brightly on the continental stage as VoyagesAfriq, Africa’s leading travel and tourism magazine, launches the second edition of its Destination Sierra Leone series. The new issue captures the country’s inspiring transformation into one of West Africa’s most exciting and sustainable travel destinations.
Titled “Charting a New Path as a Must-Visit Tourism Haven,” the 82-page magazine takes readers on a journey through Sierra Leone’s rich cultural heritage, pristine natural landscapes and dynamic tourism resurgence under the leadership of Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
The publication marks one year since the debut edition and comes at a pivotal moment when Sierra Leone’s tourism industry is gaining unprecedented international recognition. From hosting the landmark Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Congress in Freetown to earning the privilege of hosting the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in 2026, the nation is fast positioning itself as a powerhouse for sustainable and inclusive tourism.
“This issue celebrates Sierra Leone’s remarkable journey — from recovery to renaissance,” said Kojo Bentum-Williams, Managing Editor of VoyagesAfriq. “It tells a story of resilience, innovation and leadership that is reshaping perceptions of West African tourism.”
Stories that celebrate a new Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone Edition features a diverse range of stories that capture the nation’s growing dynamism across the tourism spectrum. From an exclusive feature with Minister Nabeela Tunis detailing how Sierra Leone is redefining itself as an ecotourism hub rooted in culture, conservation and community, to the historic inscription of the Gola-Tiwai Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the issue celebrates a country on the move. It also highlights the groundbreaking of a Canopy Walkway at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary — a landmark project reinforcing Sierra Leone’s eco-tourism credentials — and the revival of international air travel through the reopening of the Freetown–London Gatwick route after 12 years.
Adding to the excitement is Idris Elba’s visionary Sherbro Island City project, an ambitious public-private partnership poised to spark investment, innovation, and youth empowerment, while the growing success of the Tour de Lunsar, now West Africa’s premier cycling event, showcases how sport, community and tourism are powerfully intertwined in Sierra Leone’s development story.
The issue also dives into Sierra Leone’s creative and culinary resurgence, profiling entrepreneurs and innovators shaping a new national narrative — from the Cassava Music Café to Taste of Sierra Leone, where food, music and identity converge.
From the pristine beaches of Tokeh, York to Bureh, the latest publication highlights remarkable growth of Salone’s hospitality industry and how efforts are being made to elevate the experience for visitors.
Beyond events and achievements, the magazine humanises Sierra Leone’s tourism growth story, spotlighting women leaders, youth changemakers and communities redefining sustainability. It aligns with the Ministry’s “Year of Ecotourism 2025” campaign, which places people, culture and the environment at the centre of tourism development.
“We’re not just documenting tourism,” Bentum-Williams added. “We’re amplifying the voices that make it thrive — from coastal communities to creative hubs, from women entrepreneurs to government champions.”
Sierra Leone is accelerating its journey toward becoming one of Africa’s leading travel destinations, VoyagesAfriq’s latest edition encapsulates the country’s remarkable momentum — a compelling story of resilience, ambition and renewal that reflects both national pride and a bold vision for the future of the West African country’s tourism.
