• A couchsurfing in Sierra Leone apartment
    Travel

    Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone: my review

    November 14, 2024 - By 

    If you’re curious about Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone, here’s my journey through it. From generous locals to quirky surprises, Couchsurfing introduced me to a whole new side of travel that went beyond traditional accommodation. While I’d heard that Couchsurfing could make travel more affordable, I soon found that it was about so much more than saving money—it was about immersing myself in the kindness (and quirks) of the people willing to open their homes.

    Couchsurfing is a global platform where travelers connect with locals who offer free stays or just want to hang out. It’s a cool way to save on accommodation and dive into a country’s culture, all while meeting amazing people.

    Sierra Leone wasn’t my first Couchsurfing experience, but it was by far one of the most memorable. From my first host’s warm messages to unexpected challenges and hilarious misunderstandings, the experience was a bit of a rollercoaster. Each encounter added a new layer to my trip, giving me stories to tell and moments to laugh about later.

    So, what’s it really like to Couchsurf in Sierra Leone? Here’s what I discovered—moments of generosity, a few strange vibes, and an adventure I won’t forget anytime soon

    Disclaimer: This post is not to condemn the app but to simply share my experience.

    My First Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone experience

    Before buying my ticket to Sierra Leone, I reached out to several hosts. There was a local host who responded almost immediately. He quickly replied and offered a place to stay. He didn’t mind sharing his one bedroom with guests, which was pretty heartwarming!This host was incredibly kind and honest. He let me know right away that if he were in Freetown, he’d be happy to host me. When I checked his profile, I saw he had glowing reviews, tons of positive photos having fun with other travelers, and an all-around great vibe.

    About a week before my trip, I reached out to let him know I’d be arriving soon, just as I’d promised. Unfortunately, he wasn’t available, so I ended up booking an Airbnb instead. I’ll definitely be sharing another post about that—let’s just say it was one of the most surprising Airbnb experiences I’ve ever had in Sierra Leone!

    Even though we couldn’t meet up in Freetown (he was away), he gave me great advice on getting to Liberia. I’m still super grateful for his help!

    The bedroom of a couchsurfing in Sierra Leone house
    The bedroom of a couchsurfing in Sierra Leone house

    Second offer Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone tale

    After I posted my travel dates and mentioned I was open to a little hosting help, I got an offer from a local that totally surprised me—16 days of free stay! Who does that? That’s more than two weeks of inviting a complete stranger into your home! I’d posted my whole trip, but I wasn’t expecting anyone to volunteer for the entire time.

    When I saw his message, I’ll admit, I got a bit of a fright. To make it even more “interesting,” he casually mentioned that he lived alone. Now, I’m all for kindness, but this generous offer felt like a bit much. I could just picture myself in some kind of horror movie scenario, so I politely thanked him and wanted to meet just for tea.

    Sounds great, right?

    But then things got a little strange. His profile was practically empty, and when I suggested a quick meet-up at the beach, he suddenly went silent—just stopped replying altogether. Why wouldn’t you want to meet up if you’re inviting someone to stay at your home? The whole situation started to feel a bit eerie, like one of those horror stories you hear but never think will happen to you. Needless to say, my instincts kicked in, and I decided this was a hard pass. Creepy vibes from a distance? No, thank you!

    The British Host Who Lived “Far, Far Away”

    Then I spotted a British guy with a profile that looked promising—lots of reviews, photos, the whole trustworthy vibe. I sent him a request, and he agreed, telling me to just give him a heads-up when I arrived in Sierra Leone. His profile clearly mentioned that he lived with his Sierra Leonean wife, which sounded perfect—I imagined staying with a friendly family where I could learn more about the country and ask all my questions about expat life in Sierra Leone. It felt like the ideal setup!

    I asked if I could stay for four days, thinking it would make things easier than hopping from one part of Freetown to another with all my bags. Little did I know, a plot twist was waiting for me!

    He initially agreed but when I informed him at the time I was in Freetwon, he kindly offered me two days at his home.

    He gave me his phone number and insisted on chatting via Whatsapp. That was weird but I accepted to do it. We chatted on WhatsApp for a few minutes before I got the shock of my life though I had presumed everything seemed perfect before.

    But here’s the catch: he didn’t actually live in Freetown. To get to his place, I’d need to travel far into the countryside, just for a brief two-day stay. Two days wasn’t worth the bus ride and the waste of my precious time, so I declined politely.

    For some reason, I daydreamt that this Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone experience would have been the best.

    Takeaways: The Couchsurfing Ups and Downs

    Couchsurfing in Sierra Leone has its highs and lows. I didn’t have the best luck, but it didn’t put me off. I’m sharing this to recommend Couchsurfing as an option for travelers who might not know about it. It could save you a lot of money, especially since accommodation in Sierra Leone can be pricey and there aren’t many tourists around. If you’re planning to visit, you’ll likely find this helpful. I do wish I had found a female host, though!

    I still believe Couchsurfing is an amazing way to meet kind-hearted people who open their doors to strangers.

    Two weeks into my stay, I finally got some replies from other Sierra Leoneans—unfortunately, they were all out of the country at the time! Aside from the creepy guy, most were really polite and genuinely sorry they couldn’t host. Sierra Leone was my second attempt at Couchsurfing, and while I’m not sure I’ll try it again in Africa, I’m definitely curious to give it another go in other parts of the world!

    If you’re looking to Couchsurf in Sierra Leone, stay open-minded but follow your instincts. And who knows? One day, I might be hosting travelers myself!

    If you’re interested in creating a Couchsurfing account, feel free to use this link to get started! Happy surfing and safe travels!

    Equally, if you’ve used Couchsurfing before, I’d love to hear your story! Share your experiences with me so I can learn from you and maybe even discover some new tips and insights for my future travels.

    For more travel stories, tips, and adventures, check out the rest of my blog. Dive in and join me as I explore new places and share unforgettable experiences!

  • Couchsurfing house
    Travel

    Review of my couchsurfing experience in Benin

    October 11, 2024 - By 

    Couchsurfing, a renowned website among travelers, had always piqued my curiosity. In 2024, I finally decided to take the plunge and experience it firsthand. It felt unfair to pass judgment on something without having my firsthand couchsurfing experience.

    For those unfamiliar, Couchsurfing connects travelers with hosts worldwide who open their homes for guests to stay. Typically for free, though guests often contribute financially or by helping out. Some hosts offer couches, while others provide guest rooms.

    Many people have not had an issue using this website.

    Disclaimer: This is just my experience. I am not condemning or discouraging anyone from using the site.

    My First Couchsurfing Experience

    My journey with Couchsurfing began with a search for accommodation on their site. Despite initial reservations about safety in strangers’ homes, I was determined to trust the process and learn from the experience. I sent out several requests to hosts with positive reviews. To my delight, two hosts responded and agreed to host me under flexible conditions. I was excited and grateful, anticipating a relaxing two-week stay.

    The first family I arranged to stay with was in Benin. The account was registered under a female name. I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about Beninese culture firsthand. For almost a month leading up to my arrival, I received prompt responses to my inquiries. I was eager to unpack and settle in.

    Before boarding the shared car from Lome to Cotonou, I reached out to call my host.

    To my surprise, a man answered, explaining he was the husband of the woman whose profile I had been corresponding with. Assuming she was occupied with their children, I shared my arrival plans and sent him a photo, intending to contact him upon arrival.

    People eating at a couchsurfing home.

    What happened when I got to Cotonou

    Upon reaching Cotonou and stepping into their home, I was immediately hit by a strong odor of dirt and noticed an older, unclean dog lying near the door on the veranda. As someone particularly conscious of cleanliness, it was momentarily difficult to breathe. Despite this, I was offered sachets of water to quench my thirst. Eager to meet my host’s wife, I inquired about her whereabouts.

    To my surprise and discomfort, he pointed to a large portrait on the wall and became visibly saddened. Confused, I asked again, prompting him to show me pictures of his wife, who had passed away in January 2024, just a few months prior.

    Instantly, I felt goosebumps crawl over my skin, realizing I couldn’t stay in such an emotionally charged environment.

    What was my response

    I confronted him about not disclosing this information earlier, but he hesitated to provide a clear explanation, which felt like a deliberate deception despite the circumstances. In that moment of shock and discomfort, I urged him to update his profile to reflect his current situation and asked for help connecting to the internet using his phone. After purchasing data, I swiftly booked an Airbnb.

    He seemed taken aback by my decision to leave and even joked about whether I was afraid of his late wife’s ghost. I simply expressed my preference for honesty and discomfort in residing with a family where the dynamics had dramatically changed.

    Thankfully, he was understanding and assisted me in arranging transportation to my Airbnb, where a tricycle took me directly to its doorstep.

    Overall, while my first Couchsurfing experience didn’t go as expected, it taught me valuable lessons about transparency and communication in such arrangements, reaffirming the importance of clear expectations and mutual understanding between hosts and guests.

    My Second Couchsurfing Experience

    The second Couchsurfer who accepted my request was a Senegalese expat living in Cotonou. I was thrilled by her generous offer. She communicated in clear English, so it was easy to understand each other. I reached out to her once I was certain I would be going to her place, but she informed me that she wasn’t available at the time. She promised to let me know when she would be free.

    I waited for several days without hearing from her. Then, two days before I planned to end my trip, she contacted me, sounding surprised that I hadn’t called, despite her being the one who said she’d let me know when she’d be available. I felt deeply disappointed and decided not to go to her place after all.

    Here’s the link to their website. For privacy sake, I didn’t mention the real hosts. If you want to read about other things to do in Cotonou, read here.