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Meridiela.

Kabala

A northern highland town below Wara Wara hill, with a distinct upland climate.

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Typetown
WhereKoinadugu
Nearest cityKabala
Best seasonNovember to April
Time to allowA day
Getting thereIn the northern highlands; road from Makeni, around three hours
EntryFree

Kabala is the main town of northern Sierra Leone, sitting at around four hundred metres below the Wara Wara hills with a climate noticeably cooler and drier than the coast, and it is the base for the northern highlands: Lake Sonfon, the Loma mountains and Bintumani beyond. Gbawuria hill above the town is climbed for the view and for the New Year's Day gathering held on it. The town has long been a meeting point between the Limba, Kuranko and Fula communities of the north.

What you actually see

  • The Wara Wara hills - the range rising directly behind the town.
  • Gbawuria hill - the climb above the town and its New Year gathering.
  • The upland climate - cooler and drier than the coast.
  • The base function - the point for reaching the northern mountains.

When to go

November to April is the dry season. Harmattan in December and January brings cool dry air and haze. The rains from May to October are heavy.

Honest expectations

Facilities are basic and there is little arranged for visitors. The road from Makeni takes around three hours. Onward travel into the mountains needs arranging locally.

Nearby

Lake Sonfon is east, and Bintumani is southeast.

What to pack for Kabala

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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