Sierra Leone - West Africa - page 792

THE NORTH
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Makeni
POP 105,000
Makeni mixes politics with football as the birthplace of both Ernest Bai Koroma and the
Wusum Stars, Sierra Leone's oldest football club. It's a good base for exploring the north-
ern highlands. Any of the city's hotels will be able to advise you on getting out into the
countryside, including rock climbing and hiking.
Straight-talking Irish Sister Mary will welcome you into the fold at St Joseph's School for the
Deaf , where you can sleep in one of the lovely, fan-blown rooms with high-ceilings and
bathrooms (from Le129,000). You can also tour the well-run school, eat meals here, book
in for a massage and take a look at the arts and crafts on sale.
Or you can head to the fancier Wusum Hotel ( 076-341079; [e-mail]; 65 Teko Rd;
s/d US$88/110, chalets US$117; ) , which is more of a luxury resort (with a pool and
conference facilities) than just a place to lay your head.
About 45 minutes from Makeni is Rogbonko Village ( 08-8631079) , where you can go back
to basics, overnighting in a thatched guest hut and sampling local country food.
Bush taxis and poda-podas run to many destinations including Freetown (two hours).
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Mt Bintumani
Also known as Loma Mansa, the breathy King of the Mountains, 1945m-high Mt Bintu-
mani is West Africa's highest peak - until you hit Cameroon. The mountain range is rich in
highland birds and mammal species, including duikers, colobus monkeys, buffaloes , leo-
pards and snakes. Any climbing attempt should be taken seriously - you might want to stay
away during the slippery rainy season and come prepared with a GPS and hiking and
camping equipment.
The main climbing route winds up from the village of Sokurala via Kurubonla, about
180km from Kabala. You can also stay overnight in Yifin, or if you're coming from
Makeni in the east, follow the dirt road all the way to Sinekoro. Neither village had a guest-
house at the time of research, but you can take an offering to the local chief and ask if you