The most exciting place to visit in Africa right now is an off-the-beaten-path nation better known for making tragic headlines than attracting tourists: Welcome to a splashy new Sierra Leone. Now, Ebola-free and more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil war, Sweet Salone (the local nickname) is once again ready to welcome travelers to its golden, boulder-strewn shores. It’s offering a new solar-powered airport (the first fully green terminal in all of West Africa), eased visa restrictions and the type of authentic cultural experiences that can be challenging to find in the continent’s more crowded destinations.
One surprising champion of Sierra Leone’s tourism push? Actor Idris Elba (yes, that “Sexiest Man Alive”) whose father was born in Salone and received citizenship himself in 2019. The charismatic star has spoken about wanting to “rebrand” the West African country and he’s sticking to his word. Elba is building a sustainable smart city on Sherbro Island with his business partner Siaka Stevens, grandson of the former Sierra Leonean president of the same name.
The project will develop the rural island, which is the size of Chicago and currently home to around 40,000 people, and bring wind-powered electricity to the country for the first time. Current plans include a resort and ecotourism experiences nestled alongside Sherbro’s 50 miles of palm tree-lined beaches, vibrant Krio board house villages, and mangrove forests — a crucial habita.
