National park · Sierra Leone
Mount BintumaniMount Bintumani National Park
Visit Mount Bintumani: hire a guide for about $9 USD per day, start from Sinekoro village (3 h motorbike from Kabala), allow two days for the 29 km (18 mi) hike, and go in the dry season (Dec–Mar) for best access.Visit Mount Bintumani: hire a guide for about $9 USD per day, start from Sinekoro village (3 h motorbike from Kabala), allow two days for the 18 mi (29 km) hike, and go in the dry season (Dec–Mar) for best access.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Sierra Leone ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Sierra Leone government sources before booking.
- Sierra Leone ↗Book the Lungi–Freetown crossing (water taxi or ferry) before you land, and check how the operator handles late arrivals.
At a glance
- Country
- Sierra Leone
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Exact protected area not officially published; the park spans the Loma Mountains region (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Bintumani, West Africa's highest summit at 1,945 m, offers a remote two‑day forest trek through the Loma Mountains with waterfalls, village culture and panoramic views.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2000
Exact protected area not officially published; the park spans the Loma Mountains region (check).
Why go
- Highest peak in West Africa (1,945 m) with challenging forest trek.
- Remote jungle scenery and waterfalls along the route.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler nights.
- FebDry, good trail conditions.
- MarEnd of dry season, still accessible.
- AprStart of rains, may affect trails.
- MayIncreasing rain, mud.
- JunRainy, trail may be slippery.
- JulHeavy rains, possible road closures.
- AugPeak rainy season.
- SepRainy, limited access.
- OctRain tapering, but some mud.
- NovTransition to dry, trails improving.
- DecDry, cooler weather.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest birds, butterfliesMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| MacaquesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Freetown
Bus to Kabala (≈6 h), then motorbike to Sinekoro (≈3 h).
9–10 h
Open the page →
From Makeni
Bus to Kabala, then motorbike to Sinekoro.
≈8 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sinekoro village | Base village, start of trek, offers guides and basic lodging. | Open to visitors. |
| Camp 1 & Camp 2 | Rest points with water streams on the ascent. | Free camping with chief permission. |
| Summit area | Peak at 1,945 m, views over Loma Mountains. | Open, no facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions based on village and summit locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide fee | US$9 | day | Guides required for the trek. |
| Motorbike ride to Sinekoro | US$20 | one way | Approximate cost from Kabala. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$9
- US$20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for the full trek to the summit.
- Camping
- Allowed only with chief permission; avoid low‑lying areas during rain.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves.
- Wildlife
- Do not disturb bats or other animals; no hunting.
Where to stay
In the park
Sinekoro village lodging
Basic rooms or chief’s brick bed, free with donation.
Near the park
Kabala town
Hotels and guesthouses for a night before the trek.
Safety
Steep terrain medium
Rain and slippery paths high
Wild animals low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Village access by motorbike; trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Donate to village for meals and lodging.
- Carry out all rubbish; use water purification tablets.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Bintumani?
There is no formal entry fee; you need to pay a guide about $9 USD per day and a motorbike ride to the trailhead (~$20 USD one way).
What are the best hikes in Mount Bintumani?
The main trek from Sinekoro village to the summit and back (29 km, 2 days) is the flagship hike; shorter day walks to the waterfall near Camp 2 are also popular.
When is the best time to visit Mount Bintumani?
The dry season, especially Dec–Mar, offers the most reliable access and drier trails.
Do I need a guide for the summit?
Yes, a local guide is required for safety and navigation on the steep forest routes.
Where can I stay near the trail?
Basic lodging is available in Sinekoro village (often free with a donation) and in Kabala town before the trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mount Bintumani
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