Cities and regions／Sierra Leone
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Sierra Leone River

The Sierra Leone River forms the estuary where Bunce Island lies, upstream from Freetown. The river landscape and the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved people are intertwined in the description of this setting.

Boat on the Moa River beside Tiwai Island forest.
Photo by Stephanie Zito Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 1.0
The place

What makes it special

  • Bunce Island sits on a small island in the river estuary.
  • The island lies upstream from Freetown.
  • The river landscape is part of the site’s historical context.
Wide view of Bunce Island ruins among vegetation in the Sierra Leone River estuary.
Photo by Pierre Chrzanowski Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
Weathered masonry detail in the ruins of Bunce Island fort.
Photo by Pierre Chrzanowski Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
Travel atlas

Articles in Sierra Leone River

Guides to this place

1 article

Sierra Leone River

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Wide view of Bunce Island ruins among vegetation in the Sierra Leone River estuary.

Bunce Island from Freetown: a journey into Atlantic memory

An island in the Sierra Leone River estuary preserves the ruins of a British slave-trading fort. The boat crossing requires checking current conditions, but the essential preparation is historical and ethical.

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Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 26/09/2026