Finding suitable accommodation while traveling can be a daunting task, especially in less touristy countries like Sierra Leone. My journey through Airbnb in this West African country provided a mix of surprises and challenges, revealing both the unique offerings and drawbacks of lodging options available. Some Airbnb experiences in Sierra Leone were worth their value.
My stays were quite the ride—full of surprises, both good and bad. Here’s the scoop on my four unique stays.
Airbnb experiences in Sierra Leone: Ismahejoso Lodge
Budget-friendly picks under $20 were a no-go, so I landed on Ismahejoso Lodge at $25 a night.
I reached out to the host on Airbnb, and he assured me the place was great and perfect for my stay. Little did I know, he wasn’t even in Sierra Leone. The first odd thing about our communication was his exorbitant offer to arrange transport from the ferry terminal to the lodge. He quoted a ridiculously high amount, which I refused, opting to make my own arrangements. Thankfully, I ended up paying much less than his suggested price. I’ll spare you the details of just how big the difference was.
I had booked the place for four days, but within four minutes of entering the room, I regretted it. I’ll explain why soon.
The warm welcome from the manager and a few workers was a plus, but my room? Not so much. It wasn’t clean, and I had to wait till the next day for cleaners to do a proper clean up.
The room was spacious with a big bed, a bathtub, and running water. The bedsheet was white and appeared clean, but the floor was dusty and filthy. The blinds were extremely dirty, as if they hadn’t been washed in ages. I couldn’t bear the dirt on the walls of the bathtub, and the toilet had poop stains on the wall even after being flushed. The shower barely trickled, and I felt uncomfortable using the dirty bucket of water that was provided only after I requested it.
What else was shocking at this place?
Wi-Fi worked for one night for a few hours, then became moody because of power.
The 24/7 power with a generator backup was a lifesaver, though! However, it was used only for a few hours in the night and some nights. The manager had promised that the generator would run all night, but it didn’t. As a result, the AC only worked for a total of six hours over three days, and even those were interrupted.
The location? The best thing about this place was its proximity to several beaches. Adonkia—a beach lover’s dream with Lakka, River Number 2, and Lumley beaches close by.
My strangest accomodation situation
On the second day, while chatting with the manager about places to visit in Freetown and whether foreigners were common there, he casually mentioned that they had a Slovakian white male who’d been living there for a long time. I was slightly surprised but figured he must have found the place comfortable—why else would he stick around?
Equally, I actually met this guy that morning at breakfast, which, by the way, was far from delicious. I greeted him politely, like I would anyone, and didn’t think much of it. Fast forward to that night around 9 PM, I heard this strange, scratchy knock on my door. It was one of those knocks where you just know the person doesn’t want to be heard. Now, before this, I had caught the same guy peeping through my window from the balcony area, so I’d closed the curtains right away.
Back to the creepy night knock. It went on for a while, and I figured it must be for me, so I opened the door. Big mistake. There he was—our Slovakian mystery man—looking as shady as ever. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and he had this unsettling look, almost like he wanted to come in. To top it off, he even stretched his hand toward me like we were besties or something. Nope! My face said it all, but I still made it clear: “Leave and never knock on my door again.” Then I slammed the door shut with the force of someone scared for her life. Safe to say, I spent the rest of the night with my heart racing, wondering if I’d just dodged a creepy bullet.
Airbnb experiences in Sierra Leone: Zakben Lodge
Next, I tried Zakben Hotel for $24. I contacted the host on Airbnb again, and he confidently assured me that his place was new and clean. However, I immediately regretted my decision the moment I stepped in. I have to admit, the bathroom was spacious, with clean white tiles—but it also featured a strange, dirty clothes hamper.
The room was the very definition of dirty—dull, gloomy, and poorly lit.
I have to admit, the host was honest about the Wi-Fi and power as promised. The Wi-Fi was stable and worked well, although I had to log in and out of some sort of system countless times a day. The power from the solar panels or generator was reliable, which convinced me to endure the stay for a week. Despite several incidents that made me regret staying, I was already exhausted from lugging my bags around and unpacking every other day.
The bed was very comfortable, with a mattress I really liked. However, the couch in my room was an unsettling dark, dirty brown, the likes of which I’d never seen before.
I can’t deny that the waiting room had some of the most colorful cane chairs and decor I’ve ever seen, but unfortunately, I was bitten by a bedbug while sitting on one of them.
What was my experience at this lodge?
To make me feel welcome, the host—who I soon discovered was in Europe—offered to send a driver to pick me up. However, after spending over 35 minutes on the road, I started regretting my decision. It turns out the area is quite far from Freetown’s city center and not ideal for a tourist unfamiliar with navigating the city.
The remote location? A hassle I wish I had not ignored from my Google map search. There are no nearby restaurants or attractions, and transport costs to the city drained my wallet.
Every day I had to spend 17Leones one way in a dirty bus to go buy food. The distance was at least 35mins one way and I had to wait sometimes for 10mins for the bus to load.
Despite everything, the host was very prompt in responding. He called his staff and insisted on regular cleaning, which helped make my stay somewhat more comfortable.
Simple Single Bedroom
After Zakben, Unsure of where else to find accommodation, I returned to Airbnb in search of a simple yet comfortable place. I came across one hosted by someone abroad, who assured me that water would be connected and everything would be done to ensure my stay was pleasant. She kept her promise.I switched gears to a no-frills single room at $20 for two nights.
It was basic but delivered on the essentials—power, running water, and a generator backup.
I spent one night in both the cabin and the mud rooms, and I really liked this place. As you can see from the photos, everything worked just as it should. The only downside was that the kitchen was a bit sparse, with not many items available.
Lodge 4: Freetown Host’s Property
The final stop was a gem! My previous host invited me to their place in Freetown. It was clean, cozy, and secure with 24/7 guards.
Electricity was pay-as-you-go but still cheaper than hotels.
The best parts? A kitchen and fast Wi-Fi! I stayed six days and finally felt at ease.
This last place had everything I needed, and I was really comfortable. I’d say I ended up on a high rather than a low, which is why I’m wholeheartedly recommending it. Use this link to book your stay, and I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it.
Final Thoughts
Sierra Leone’s Airbnb scene was a mixed bag. Some places nailed the basics, while others needed serious TLC “Tender Loving Care.” Cleanliness was hit or miss, but the hosts were super responsive.
My advice? Keep an open mind and stay flexible. With a little patience, Sierra Leone’s Airbnbs can be an adventure worth taking!
For reviews of accommodations in other countries, click this link.
