Facts about Sierra Leone

The Bumbuna Falls of the River Rokel

In the Loma Mountains of Sierra Leone are West Africa’s highest mainland mountain, Mount Bintumani, and the source of the country’s largest river, The Rokel. The mountains are in the northeast of Sierra Leone and many rare species of wildlife are found in its forests. Mount Bintumani (aka Mt Binitmani or Loma Mansa) stands at 6,381 feet (1,945 metres) high.
The Rokel flows south west for 240 miles (386 Kilometres) and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through the Sierra Leone River Estuary between the Western Area peninsula (which includes the capital Freetown) and Port Loko District. The Rokel’s claim to fame extends beyond physical prominence. It hosts the natural Freetown Harbour and the Bumbuna Dam - principal source of electricity supply to the capital. Most travellers to Sierra Leone will cross the river by helicopter shuttles or various forms of marine transport from the international airport at Lungi to Freetown.