Bonthe is a charming and friendly town on the south end of Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone.

Understand

Bonthe is a fishing town and the only substantial settlement on Sherbro Island. Bonthe was settled in the 17th century by the Royal African Company who used it as a based to fight slave traders. The town was a busy port until the 1960s when trading operations were consolidated in Freetown, and from then the town fell into decline. The town has beautiful, though crumbling, colonial villas and is lovely to explore, but it is tiny – it won't take you long.

Once you've toured Bonthe, the rest of Sherbro Island awaits. Tracks crisscross the island. You can take a tour by boat and visit remote fishing villages. Rice paddies and birdlife abound. It is incredibly peaceful.

Get in

Getting to Bonthe by public transport is relatively straight forward. From Bo, you first take the daily share-taxi/mini-bus to Mattru Jong, and then the next day take the regular transport boat out to the island. You can also get to the island via boat from Yagoi. Onward travel to the Turtle Islands is sporadic, but possible.

Get around

There are no vehicles to speak of in Bonthe. You can get around on foot, or you can hire a bicycle.

You can explore Sherbro Island by boat or on foot. The best sights are seen via the waterways. There are not road outside of Bonthe. It's usually best to have a guide – ask around in town.

See

• Colonial villas. Crumbling remnants of Bonthe's glory days
• Graveyard. Holds the remains of graves of British soldiers who died fighting slave traders
• Fishing villages. Dotted around the island

Do

• Birdwatching. Storks, pelicans and all sorts of tropical birds

Sleep

• 1 Bonthe Holiday Village. Air conditioning. Meals are cooked by locals and delivered to you. (updated Nov 2023)

Go next

• Turtle Islands. Off the tip of Sherbro Island, if that wasn't remote enough for you. There is basic accommodation.