By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone is poised to see a significant rise in British visitors with the upcoming launch of a direct flight between the UK and the West African nation. Announced last month, the new service by Air Sierra Leone, the country’s national carrier, will connect Freetown and London Gatwick starting this December, marking the return of a non-stop route that has been absent since 2016.
Fatmata Mida Hamid Carew, General Manager of the National Tourist Board (NTB), expressed strong optimism about the impact the new flight will have on tourism. “I think it would make a tremendous difference,” she said when discussing the potential boost to British arrivals. She confirmed that work on the route is progressing, with further updates expected soon.
The last time a direct flight operated between Sierra Leone and the UK was in 2016 when Fly Salone briefly ran a leased aircraft service. British Airways had stopped its flights to Sierra Leone in 2014, leaving a gap in direct connectivity. In 2023, approximately 5,000 British tourists visited Sierra Leone between January and September, and the new flight is expected to attract even more.
Several UK-based tour operators, including Encounters Travel, Oasis Overland, Naturetrek, Rainbow Tours and Undiscovered Destinations, are planning to expand their offerings to Sierra Leone in 2024, with additional tours in the pipeline.
Sierra Leone’s appeal lies in its stunning beaches, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultural heritage. Carew emphasized the country’s long-standing peace and readiness for tourism: “Sierra Leone has been very peaceful for the last few decades and it’s ready for tourism. We have the product that the UK market is looking for.”
Carew also highlighted the authenticity of the country’s tourism experience, saying, “It’s a new destination, and we don’t stage-manage – what you see is what you get. We invite UK visitors to come and experience the richness of our culture and the warmth of our people. We’re some of the happiest people in the world.”
The return of direct flights from the UK to Sierra Leone is seen as a major milestone for the country’s tourism sector, and it is expected to strengthen its position as a must-visit destination for British travelers.
