Travel video guide
Things to Do in Western Area: All 7 Spots + Addresses
This guide turns Deep Inside Most Dangerous & Largest Slum In Freetown, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 (the state failed them) from Davud Akhundzada into a practical travel map with 7 saved spots around Koinadugu, Dubaia, and Freetown. The mapped places include a national park, an area marker, a courthouse, and a government office. Use it to understand the places and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Davud Akhundzada explored the Kroo Bay slum in Sierra Leone, where he was shocked by the extreme levels of plastic pollution and toxic water children were walking through. He highlighted the stark contrast between nearby luxury villas and the difficult living conditions of the residents who rely on fishing and trading. Despite the environment, he was moved by the local children's dedication to their education and their dreams of improving their community.
What this map is good for
- Planning a courthouse stop or short itinerary in Koinadugu.
- Seeing where the mapped places sit together before choosing what to visit first.
- Saving 7 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Outamba Kilimi National Park
National Park in PXMF+3V4, Dubaia, Sierra Leone, Dubaia, North West Province, Sierra Leone - Monuments and Relics Commission
Government Office in 96 Campbell St, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tower Hill, Western Area, Sierra Leone
Hours: Hours available - Loma Mountains
Natural Feature in Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, Koinadugu, Northern Province, Sierra Leone - Freetown
Area marker in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone - Mount Bintumani
Mountain Peak in Mount Bintumani, Sierra Leone, Koinadugu, Northern Province, Sierra Leone - Gola Rainforest National Park
National Park in M585+G9Q, Sierra Leone, Kailahun, Sierra Leone - Special Court
Courthouse in FQC5+GR9, Jomo Kenyatta Rd, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tengbeh Town, Western Area, Sierra Leone
Experiences captured
- Visited the biggest slum in Freetown
- Hired a local guide for safety
- Watched a local football match
- Crossed a bridge covered in plastic waste
- Observed children collecting trash in toxic water
- Interviewed local students about their education
- Discussed the dangers of physical attacks on tourists
- Viewed the contrast between luxury villas and slums
Planning notes for Freetown
Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, was established in 1792 on the Sierra Leone Peninsula. The city’s historical layout includes the Cotton Tree, a botanical landmark located in the central business district near the Law Courts and the National Museum. This museum houses ethnographic artifacts, including traditional masks and archaeological finds from the region. The architectural landscape of Freetown features Krio "Bod Os" (Board Houses). These structures are characterized by stone foundations.
Must-try foods nearby
- Cassava Leaves (Plassas)
Considered the national dish, these finely ground cassava leaves are slow-cooked with palm oil, peanut paste (groundnut), and a variety of meats or fish. - Groundnut Stew (Maafe)
A thick, creamy, and nutty stew made from roasted peanuts ground into a paste. It is typically simmered with chicken, beef, or fish. - Crain-Crain
A slippery, savory stew made from jute leaves (known locally as Crain-Crain). It has a similar texture to okra and is usually cooked with palm oil, dried fish. - Potato Greens
Sweet potato leaves are chopped and sautéed with palm oil, onions, and chili peppers. - Sierra Leonean Jollof Rice
Freetown's take on this West African classic is often distinguished by its use of parboiled rice and a slightly more tomato-forward, spicy base.
When to go: The best time to visit Freetown is during the dry season from November to April, when sunny skies and manageable humidity make it ideal for beaches and outdoor exploration. While temperatures remain consistently warm year-round.
Local tips
- Always use your right hand when greeting others, giving or receiving items, and eating, as the left hand is traditionally considered impolite.
- Utilize 'kekes' (tricycles) for affordable short-distance travel within the city, but ensure you agree on the fare before starting your journey.
- When dining, it is customary to wash your hands before the meal and wait for the eldest person at the table to begin eating first.
- Avoid walking alone on beaches or in poorly lit areas after dark, and keep your valuables out of sight to prevent opportunistic theft.
Official tourism resource
The official government portal for Sierra Leone tourism, providing travel information and promoting attractions in regions including Koinadugu and Kabala.
Planning questions
What are the best spots in Western Area from this video?
This guide maps all 7 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan your trip to Western Area.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this travel map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.