Nature and Outdoor Activities
- National Parks Nearby
- Outamba-Kilimi National Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Dirt tracks leading up Wusum Hill offer excellent hiking.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The summit of Wusum Hill offers 360-degree views of the city.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mabanta riverbanks and forests surrounding the university campus.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Local village outskirts (with permission from the Headman).
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Outamba-Kilimi National Park (approx. 2.5 hours north for hippos and elephants).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Limited presence) or G4S for secure documents.
- Tech Repair Services
- Phone repair stalls on Rogbaneh Road for hardware issues.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at the University of Makeni student union building.
- Language Classes
- Krio or Temne classes can be arranged via UniMak tutors.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- UniMak Library and the British Council Resource Center (if visiting).
- Community Centers
- Makeni City Hall for public events and meetings.
- Gaming Lounges
- Small PS5/PS4 'Game Centers' found at the market for kids.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None. Major casinos only available in Freetown.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $8,000 for local land rights/construction).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $4,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $180 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $10,800).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $90 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $5,400).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $150 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $12,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $75 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $6,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% for most companies.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (living in country 183+ days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (above 2,000 SLE monthly).
- VAT
- 15% (GST - Goods and Services Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No formal complex CFC rules as of current legislation.
- Property Tax
- Yes, local municipal rates managed by Makeni City Council.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty and registration fees around 1-5%.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa or tax breaks yet.
Essentials
- City
- Makeni, Bombali District, Northern Province, Sierra Leone
- Population
- Approximately 126,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 10-20 Mbps on 4G LTE; fiber is rare. Best at University of Makeni (UniMak) hubs.
- Currency & Banking
- Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL/SLE). 1 USD ≈ 22.5 SLE. Cash is king.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water like Milla or Grafton (approx. 5 SLE per 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style). Power is inconsistent; most rely on generators or solar.
- SIM Card
- Orange and Africell. 10GB data costs approx. 150 SLE ($6.50).
- Banking for Expats
- Rokel Commercial Bank, Zenith Bank, and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. ATMs often run out of cash.
- Accommodation
- Wusum Hotel (High-end) or guesthouses like MJ's Hotel. Expect $40-$100/night for decent quality.
- Cashless Friendly
- No. Bring plenty of cash. Very few hotels accept cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Extremely limited on Airbnb. Local word-of-mouth or Facebook groups are better.
- Budget Accommodation
- Club 10 Guest House. Clean rooms for approx. 400 SLE ($18) per night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Around the Wusum Hotel area or near the Clock Tower for accessibility.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Azzolini Highway area near the University of Makeni for better infrastructure and coffee shops.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Sensi Tech Hub (Freetown branch is main, but they have partners in Makeni) or UniMak ICT Center.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Wusum Hotel Restaurant. Quiet with backup power and decent Wi-Fi for customers.
- Networking Events
- Makeni Innovation Center seminars and University of Makeni Public Lectures.
- Social Events for Expats
- The Clubhouse at Wusum Hotel (Friday nights) or UN/NGO social mixers.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None available. Use local 'Kekeh' (tricycle) or 'Okada' (motorcycle). 5-10 SLE per trip.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not commercialized. Negotiate a daily rate with an Okada driver (approx. 150 SLE/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bureh Beach is a 4-hour drive away. No beaches in landlocked Makeni.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Sierra Leone (Limited). Most use ground transport from Freetown.
- Top International Airline
- Brussels Airlines, Air France, or Turkish Airlines (via Lungi/Freetown).
- Highway Access
- The Makeni-Freetown Highway is well-paved and the primary artery.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Makeni Lorry Park for poda-podas (minibuses) to Freetown ($5) and Kabala.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Pay cash per trip to the driver.
- Regional Travel
- Intercity buses (The Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation) operate to Freetown daily.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Holy Spirit Hospital (private, high standard) or Makeni Government Hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Non-existent. Personal practice in parks or hotel gardens is common.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Wusum Hotel Gym. Modern equipment. Monthly membership approx. 500 SLE.
- Laundry Services
- Most hotels provide laundry. Locally, look for 'Dry Clean' signs on Rogbaneh Road.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Call restaurants directly for pickup or use an Okada driver to deliver.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cassava Leaf with rice and Groundnut Soup (available at 'Cookery' shops for 30 SLE).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Market produce is abundant. Restaurants can make 'no meat' rice but options are limited.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Local bakeries selling 'Sugar Bread' and sweet 'Plantain Chips' near the Clock Tower.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Makeni Central Market for fresh produce, textiles, and household goods.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Afrimarket (limited delivery) or Facebook Marketplace.
- Grocery Delivery
- None. Personal shopping at 'Uncle Ben's' mini-mart is the standard.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Azzolini Highway/Rogbaneh Road. Clubs like 'The Box' or 'City Garden'.
- Local Brewery
- Sierra Leone Breweries Ltd (Star Beer is the local favorite, approx. 15 SLE).
- Wine Bars
- Wusum Hotel Bar offers the best selection of imported wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Clock Tower area. Try 'Grilled Beef' (Suya) skewers for 10 SLE.
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Clubhouse Restaurant (Continental, Pizza, Burgers).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Wusum Hill (for hiking) and the Great Mosque of Makeni.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Local craft shops near the University of Makeni showcasing wood carvings.
- Historical Sites
- The Old Railway Station remains (remnants of the colonial era).
- Religious Sites
- The Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral and the Makeni Central Mosque.
- Annual Events
- The Makeni Marathon (Street Child) usually held in May/June.
- Cultural Districts
- Mabanta Road for traditional markets and local culture.
- Theater Venues
- No formal theaters; community centers host local drama and dance.
- Local Markets
- Saturday Market at the Lorry Park for rural goods.
- Music Scene
- Highlife and Afrobeats at local bars; live drumming at cultural weddings.
- Street Art
- Hand-painted storefronts and political murals around the city center.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal; ask a local homestay or guesthouse cook to show you the 'Palava Sauce'.
- Art Galleries
- None. Visit the Makeni Artisan Center for local crafts.
- Historic Buildings
- The Provincial Secretary's Office (Colonial architecture).
- Local Heritage
- Temne and Limba cultural roots; traditional masks during festivals.