January 2026 – National Tourist Board

Creative Explore Heritage TourismJanuary 19, 2026January 20, 2026 By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙡𝙮 “𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮” 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙤𝙜𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨.

The National Tourist Board (NTB) in strategic initiative to popularize the newly launched logo for the “Year of Culture and Creativity,” calling on industry stakeholders to integrate the new branding into their domestic campaigns.

Serving as the primary marketing and promotional arm of the nation’s tourism sector, the Board is spearheading the effort to ensure the new logo becomes a recognizable symbol of the country’s vibrant cultural landscape. The initiative aims to create a unified visual identity that highlights the intersection of tourism, heritage, and the creative arts for the year 2026.

The Board encouraging all industry players—including tour operators, hoteliers, event organizers, and travel agencies—to fully encapsulate the “Year of Culture and Creativity” design into their activities. The NTB advises that this new logo should appear alongside the standard destination logo, creating a cohesive brand message for domestic audiences.

To facilitate widespread adoption, the high-resolution copies of the logo available immediately. Stakeholders can obtain digital files directly from the Ministry or the National Tourist Board.

The Board envisions the logo being featured prominently on:

Local marketing brochures and flyers

Digital promotional materials

Event banners and collateral

Corporate stationery

While encouraging widespread use, the Board emphasized the importance of brand integrity. A key directive accompanies the release: the materials must maintain their original order and design at all times. Alterations to the logo’s color, shape, or composition are prohibited to ensure consistency across all platforms.

By adopting this shared visual identity, the tourism sector aims to amplify the message that this year is dedicated to celebrating the unique creative spirit that makes the destination truly special.

Adventure Discover Explore Tourism Tours TravelJanuary 15, 2026January 16, 2026 By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙪𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝘽𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙤- 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣: 𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙪𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝘽𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙤- 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 2026.

Kai Bockarie-Saquee

Coms/ PR- NTB

+23277347810

FREETOWN – The engines are roaring, the dust is settling, and the spirit of adventure is about to descend upon the Atlantic coast. Sierra Leone is gearing up to welcome the world’s largest amateur vehicular rally, the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge, in what promises to be a spectacular display of culture, creativity, and endurance. This year, the rally arrives in two massive waves, bringing over a thousand adventurers from across the globe to the sandy shores of Bureh and the bustling streets of Freetown.

The 2026 edition of the rally is set to be one of the largest in its history. The first cohort, scheduled to cross the border on February 8th, comprises a staggering 352 vehicles and approximately 794 participants. These intrepid travelers have crossed continents, deserts, and savannahs to reach the “Explore West Africa Sierra Leone.”

A second wave of adventurers will follow a month later, arriving on March 5th, bringing another 203 vehicles and nearly 500 participants. Together, they represent a significant boost to local tourism and a unique opportunity for cultural exchange. The journey into Sierra Leone offers participants a scenic tour of the country’s diverse landscapes. On February 8th, teams will enter through two primary border crossing points: Kambia Balamya and Kamakwi Madina Oula.

Those entering via Kamakwi will navigate the legendary Kabba Ferry before merging with the main route at Masiaka. From there, the convoy will snake through Waterloo, heading straight for the pristine sands of Bureh Beach. Bureh Beach will transform into a vibrant hub of “Culture and Creativity.” The overnight stay is not just a rest stop; it is designed as an immersive experience featuring camping under the stars, live entertainment, and a “mini-gastronomy” festival showcasing the best of Sierra Leonean cuisine.

The climax of the event takes place on the morning of February 9th. At 9:00 AM, the engines will fire up for the final leg of the journey. The route is designed to maximize visibility and celebration, taking the rally through the heart of the capital.

The convoy will travel from Bureh Beach through Waterloo, past Up Gun, and onto the historic Kissy Road. In a bold move that brings the rally to the people, the vehicles will navigate the famous bustle of Abacha Street and PZ, turning the city center into a moving festival. From downtown, the route proceeds along Siaka Stevens Street, up to St. John, through Congo Cross and Wilkinson Road, before hitting the coastal stretch of Lumley Beach.

The journey officially concludes at the Gigibonta Car Park, where the Finish Line Gate awaits. Here, amidst the ocean breeze and cheering crowds, the participants will celebrate the end of a grueling but rewarding trans-continental journey.

For Sierra Leone, this event is more than just a rally; it is a testament to the country’s growing status as a premier destination for adventure tourism. As the dust settles on Lumley Beach this February, Freetown will once again prove that it is a city of warmth, resilience, and unbridled hospitality.

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE

COHORT 1

Arrival in Sierra Leone: February 8th, 2026

Overnight: Bureh Beach (Camping & Entertainment)

Finish Ceremony: February 9th, Gigibonta Car Park, Freetown

Size:352 vehicles, –794 participants

COHORT 2

Arrival in Sierra Leone: March 5th, 2026

Overnight: Bureh Beach

Finish Ceremony: March 6th, Freetown

Size: 203 vehicles, -492 participants

NewsJanuary 9, 2026January 12, 2026 By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

𝑵𝑻𝑩 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒓, 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 2026 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.

FREETOWN 9 January 2026– In a strategic move to boost tourism and environmental standards, Mr. Tamba Alieu Kokobaye, Chairman of the National Tourist Board (NTB), convened a high-level meeting with over 30 beach establishment owners and key stakeholders. The gathering focused on enforcing beach sanity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and adopting sustainable cleaning approaches in preparation for the upcoming Budapest-Freetown Rally and the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Culture and Creativity.”

Opening the session were Mr. Abrahim Turay, Mr. Umaru Woody, Mr. Bashiru Koroma, Mr. Mohamed Bah, and Mr. Kokobaye, who extended his sincere gratitude to the stakeholders for their prompt response to the invitation, signaling a unified commitment to elevating the standards of Sierra Leone’s coastal tourism.

The Chairman issued a strong call to action, encouraging owners and managers to take full responsibility for the cleanliness of their premises. He emphasized that hygiene efforts must go beyond the visible storefronts, urging establishments to monitor the sanitation of both the “front and back-end” of their operations. Furthermore, he appealed to the wider community to act as “watchdogs,” playing an active role in maintaining the pristine condition of the beaches.

Bi-Monthly Cleaning: A stakeholders’ beach cleaning exercise will be undertaken twice every month to ensure consistent maintenance.

Strict Compliance: All operators are committed to full adherence to licensing regulations.

Waste Management Infrastructure: Every establishment is mandated to install proper waste bins on its premises.

Professional Waste Disposal: Stakeholders agreed to identify and contract a certified waste management company to handle the collection and disposal of refuse.

Standardized Staffing: To improve professionalism and security, all establishments will implement a uniform system for their staff, complete with mandatory name tags for easy identification.

This renewed partnership between the NTB and the private sector marks a significant step toward presenting Freetown’s beaches as world-class destinations ready to welcome international visitors for the exciting events of 2026.

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