African Ancestry Family Reunion with Salone Hidden Gems

Sierra Leone Citizenship Ascension Program

November 24 - December 7, 2024

(Departing November 23, 2024)

14 days, 13 nights

Since April 2021, we've organized and taken 6 groups of African Ancestry Family Members to Sierra Leone for an African Ancestry Family Reunion and Citizenship Ascension Program.

On our 7th trip we've partnered with our sister and friend Dori Turay at Salone Hidden Gems to help us host you and manage your experience on ground.

While we have not received an official written notification from the government regarding citizenship, we know from our on the ground partners it is in the works. We will provide the official information regarding citizenship as soon as it received.

African Ancestry Family Reunion trips are curated cultural immersion journeys in Africa - centered on reclaiming identity, exploring cultural heritage, and celebrating the resilience of African people.

We believe we have the right to be all that we are at the same time. We believe your journey to Africa should include a sample of what there is to offer. 

1. Select your package and complete the questionnaire.

2. Create an account to manage your package and add-ons

When checking out, you should check the box next to "Create an account to manage your booking online." This will allow you to edit, adjust your trip, and select add-ons at a later date.

3. Take note of the processing fees 

When proceeding to payment, please expect to see a service fee if you pay by ACH or a 2.9% service fee if you pay by credit or debit card.

4. Manage payment over time

You can choose to set up automatic payments or go in monthly and make payments manually.

5. Look out for a confirmation email 

Once we receive payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your receipt, payment plan information, and the option to purchase travel insurance for this trip.

Note:  Please note that most flights depart the day before arrival. Departing on November 25 will have you arriving in Sierra Leone on November 26.

• Registrants should begin purchasing their flights immediately or as soon as available.  
• Please note that flights with layovers through Europe or the Middle East could be delayed and may not offer additional/replacement flights until the next day if a flight is missed
• We highly suggest direct flights from the US with Delta, which departs from JFK, or United, which departs from IAD.
• For this trip, we suggest checking United/Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airways or Air France.

 Ensure Your Passport is Valid for Travel

• You must have a valid passport for at least six months after your scheduled return date and at least two blank  passport pages. 
• Your passport should expire after June 7, 2025
• If your passport expires before June 7, 2025 - you need to get another passport.

Visa Processing

• Travel visas are required to enter Sierra Leone.
• Your visa cost is included in your package
• You can get a visa on arrival once you land.

Airport Security Fee

• You will be required to pay an Airport Security Fee upon entering the country and exiting the country for $25. Come prepared with $25 exact cash for each way.

Ensure You Have Physical Proof of Your Yellow Fever Vaccination 

• The Yellow Fever vaccine is the only required immunization to travel to Sierra Leone apart from the COVID-19 Vaccination. 
• There may be a cost associated with obtaining your required travel immunizations. Please check with your insurance carrier. 
• You need to get your shot at least 10 days before travel if you have not already done so. You must travel with a physical copy of your yellow fever immunization card.
• If you have had a yellow fever shot, you do not need to get another shot. One shot is good for a lifetime; however, you are required to bring physical proof that you have been immunized.

CDC on Yellow Fever

Consider Bringing Malaria Pills, Imodium AD & Cipro 

• Malaria pills are highly recommended but not required. We suggest taking malaria pills for preventative measures.
• Traveler's diarrhea is common in a new environment with different foods and weather. We suggest you pack Imodium AD and/or Cipro in case of diarrhea.
• We will have Imodium AD on-site at each hotel as well as aspirin, Benadryl, and American-brand over-the-counter medicines.

Create A Plan For Your Prescription Medications 

• We highly suggest all travelers consult with their primary care physician before traveling and refill any prescriptions they may require to remain in optimal health while traveling.

AAFR's are 100% non refundable however if cancelled before 60 days for any reason before departure, the full trip credit (dollar value) minus the non refundable deposit, can be used for any additional AAFR within a year from the cancelled trip's start date.

If cancelled within 60 days for any reason before departure, there is a 30% penalty and only 70% of the trip credit (dollar value), can be used for any additional AAFR within a year from the cancelled trip's start date.

If cancelled within 30 days for any reason before departure, there is a 75% penalty and only 25% of the trip credit (dollar value), can be used for any additional AAFR within a year from the cancelled trip's start date.

Send all cancellations in writing though the we travel platform

It's always a good idea to protect your trip. Life happens. You can purchase trip protection within 15 days of your initial registration by going to www.travelexinsurance.com.  Travelex offers the following options for international travel:   

Travel Select

Travel Select provides comprehensive benefits and access to five unique upgrades.

• Emergency Medical & Dental
• Trip Cancellation
• Travel Assistance
• Five Optional Upgrades

View Policy Information

Travel Basic

The Travel Basic plan provides great coverage at an even greater price.

• Emergency Medical & Dental
• Trip Cancellation
• Travel Assistance

View Policy Information

Please note: Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. This is a general, brief summary only. Restrictions, exclusions, and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be the same or available for residents of all countries, states, or provinces. Check the policy documents or ask Travelex for full details.

You are welcome to use any travel insurance program where you're comfortable. 

Welcome to Sierra Leone!!

We'll get you your Landing visa before you travel so when you land you can enter the country through immigration.

After Immigration, you'll go to baggage claim and then head out where you will be required to pay the Security fee of $25.  Please have exact change.

Once you exit the airport look for the African Ancestry signs and out team will be waiting their to receive you.

You'll have a small wait and then we'll move to the dock where you will take the ferry to Freetown.  How bus will be waiting for a short 10 minute drive to the Radisson Bleu for your check in. 

Feel free to order from room service or check the restaurant or dinner.

Get Some Rest!!!

We're located right in front of Lumley beach so feel free to wake up early and take a nice walk on the beach before the day starts.

Breakfast is provided by the hotel.

In the morning, we'll host small orientation where you get to meet the staff, talk through the itinerary and learn how to convert your money.

Lunch is in the hotel on your own and then we'll head out into town for a the dye workshop where you learn about the dye, wax print and have an opportunity to shop for fabric and visit with a seamstress and tailor.

Tonight we'll have and hist our welcome dinner.

Itinerary Subject to Change

We've reserved this day for the Citizenship Engagement Workshop and completion of passport applications  however this is not confirmed as of yet.

Itinerary Subject to Change

Today put your walking shoes on.

We'll do a historic tour of Freetown where you learn about the history of Sierra Leone and Freetown as well as visit some of the most frolic historic an famed sites in Freetown

After lunch we'll spend a little time in the Bg Market where you can shop until you drop before returning to the hotel.

Dinner is on your own today.

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Biometrics (fingerprinting) for Passport at the Immigration Office

    This process can take a while depending on the total number of people who will

    receive citizenship

• Lunch @ Local restaurant (provided)

• Free Evening after on your own

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Free Day

• Explore Freetown on your own

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Transit to Kent (1.5 hr. ride)

• Tour of Banana Island and Lunch

• Return to Hotel

• Group Dinner (provided)

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Morning Beach Walk (optional)

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Beach Day @ #2 River Beach

• Lunch on your own at Beach

• Return to Hotel

• Group Dinner (provided)

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Early Morning Departure

• Mende Naming Ceremony (2 hr. Ride)

    Wear White

    Lunch Provided

• Dinner on your own upon return

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Early Morning Departure

• Temne Naming Ceremony (1.5 hr. Ride)

    Wear White

    Lunch Provided

• Dinner on your own upon return

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Bunce Island Visit – (depart hotel @ 9 am)

    Tour, Group Picture & Lunch (provided)

    Wear all White

• Return to Hotel

• Free Evening & Dinner on your own

• Nightlife Optional

Itinerary Subject to Change

Relax, go to the beach, sleep late, explore on your own, shop or just sit by the pool and take it all in.

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Tentative Citizenship Conferment Day**

• Citizenship Reception & Lunch

• Free Evening & Dinner

Itinerary Subject to Change

• Breakfast at Hotel

• Last Day in Sierra Leone

• Pack up and Check Out

• Farewell Lunch

• Depart for Airport

Itinerary Subject to Change