Places / Africa / Sierra Leone
Bo
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At a glance
- Country
- Sierra Leone
- Region
- Southern Province
- Population
- 175,000
- Best time to go
- November to April
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Freetown International (FNA) at Lungi
- Coordinates
- 7.96°N, 11.74°W
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Overview
Bo is Sierra Leone's second city, a busy, friendly market town in the south of the country and a natural break on the road east from Freetown. It is a place of schools, churches, mosques and motorbike taxis rather than headline sights.
Most travellers come through on their way to the rainforest and rivers of the south and east. Give it a day to wander the markets and eat well, then use it as a base for wildlife trips.
Things to see
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Central Bo and its markets
Stalls piled with cassava, palm oil, tie-dyed gara cloth and dried fish give the clearest picture of everyday life in the south.
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Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0 Bo School
Founded in the early twentieth century, this boarding school has educated many of the country's leaders and still shapes the town's identity.
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Photo: Stephanie Zito, CC BY-SA 1.0 Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
A forested island on the Moa River home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and the rare, shy pygmy hippo.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Eat cassava leaf and rice
Order the national dish of stewed cassava leaves with palm oil and fish at a cookshop, ideally at lunchtime when it is freshest.
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Photo: NSG group from Lund, Sweden, CC0 Gola Rainforest National Park
One of the last large blocks of Upper Guinean forest, with guided walks for birds and primates; arrange it in advance.
Find tours -
Ride an okada
Motorbike taxis are the quickest way across town. Agree the fare first and ask for a helmet.
Where to stay
Central Bo
Close to the markets, banks and transport, and the most practical choice for a short stay.
Hotels in Central BoQuieter edges of town
Guesthouses on the outskirts are calmer and often have generators and parking, useful if you have a driver.
Hotels in Quieter edges of town
Getting around
Bo is easy to cover by okada or shared taxi. For trips to Tiwai or Gola, hire a driver with a 4x4, especially in the rainy season.
From Lungi airport cross the estuary to Freetown by water taxi, then it is roughly four hours by road to Bo.
When to go
The dry season from November to April is the best time to visit, with easier roads and clearer skies. May to October brings heavy rain, and July and August are the wettest months.
Plan your trip to Bo
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.