Major city · Sierra Leone
Bonthe
Half a day to explore the colonial ruins and fishing villages, then a boat tour of Sherbro Island. One night is enough unless you're heading to the Turtle Islands.
Bonthe is a tiny, crumbling colonial port on Sherbro Island, reachable by boat from Mattru Jong or Yagoi. The town itself takes an hour to walk, but the surrounding island has birdlife, rice paddies and remote fishing villages best seen by boat. Most travellers use it as a quiet stop between Bo and the Turtle Islands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SLE
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, boats may be unreliable)
- Airports
- Lungi (FNA) · Bo (KBS) · Bonthe (BTE)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Sierra Leone ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Sierra Leone government sources before booking.
- Sierra Leone ↗Book the Lungi–Freetown crossing (water taxi or ferry) before you land, and check how the operator handles late arrivals.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bonthe019 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bonthe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE), redenominated in 2022 (1 new leone = 1,000 old); old prices are still sometimes quoted in thousands.Sierra Leone-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange and Africell sell SIMs with passport registration.Sierra Leone-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Sierra Leone-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.Sierra Leone-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sierra Leone-wide
- SafetyBonthe is very safe; the main risks are boat accidents (life jackets not guaranteed) and mosquitoes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; very basic elsewhere.Sierra Leone-wide
- Emergency numberscheck019 police · 999 fire and ambulance · 112 National emergency line (check locally)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday afternoon prayers and Sunday church slow the city; offices close on all holidays.Sierra Leone-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFNA Lungi International Airport (Freetown) (Main international gateway; road and ferry crossing to Freetown, then road to Bo and boat to Bonthe…
- Getting aroundOn foot or by bicycle; no vehicles in town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBonthe Holiday Village (double room), a night, per roomSLE 200
- Mid-range bedBonthe Holiday Village (double room), a night, per roomSLE 350
- High-end bedBonthe Holiday Village (double room), a night, per roomSLE 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SLE 150 · Mid SLE 400 · High SLE 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FNA Lungi International Airport (Freetown) (Main international gateway; road and ferry crossing to Freetown, then road to Bo and boat to Bonthe — allow a full day, check) · KBS Bo Airport (Closest airstrip to the Bonthe boat at Mattru Jong; schedules are limited, check) · BTE Bonthe Airport (Small airstrip on Sherbro Island; no scheduled service confirmed, check)
Map of Bonthe
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Bonthe
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Bo · 97 km straight line
- Banana Islands · 102 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Aug (26 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bonthe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
24 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
26 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot or by bicycle; no vehicles in town. Explore Sherbro Island by hired boat with a guide.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Turtle Islands
cautionDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Boat from Bonthe, sporadic
Basic accommodation only; ask in Bonthe for a boat.
Sherbro Island interior
goDoor to door: Half day
Hired boat or guided walk
Birdwatching and fishing villages.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bonthe town centre
Only accommodation is Bonthe Holiday Village; ask locally for guesthouses.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SLE 150–300 excl. bed
- Mid
- SLE 300–600 excl. bed
- High
- SLE 600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bonthe Holiday Village (double room)1 × 1 night × SLE 350 | SLE 350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SLE 400 | SLE 800 |
| Boat from Mattru Jong to Bonthe, one way2 × SLE 50 | SLE 100 |
| Guide for half-day boat tour1 × SLE 100 | SLE 100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SLE 135 |
| Trip total≈ SLE 743 per person per day, bed included | SLE 1,485 |
2026 estimate in leones; cash only. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat from Mattru Jong to Bonthe | SLE 40–60 |
| Bicycle hire (per day) | SLE 20–40 |
| Guide for half-day boat tour | SLE 80–150 |
| Simple meal (rice and fish) | SLE 15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs or banks in Bonthe — bring enough leones from Bo or Freetown.
- Boat schedules depend on weather and demand; expect delays in the rainy season.
- Mosquitoes are present year-round; bring repellent and a net.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 019
- Fire and ambulance
- 999
- National emergency line (check locally)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BontheBonthe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Karry mi go Bonthe Holiday VillageTake me to Bonthe Holiday Village
Emergency
- Police019
- Fire and ambulance999
- National emergency line (check locally)112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Mattru Jong → Bonthe: about SLE 40–60, 1–2 h
- Bicycle hire per day: SLE 20–40
Say or show
- Kushe — Hello (koo-sheh)
- Tenki — Thank you (ten-kee)
- Aw di moni? — How much? (aw dee moh-nee)
- Usai di bot de? — Where is the boat? (oo-sai dee bot deh)
Krio is the lingua franca; English is understood but not widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bonthe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, boats may be unreliable) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bonthe
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