Bo
Sierra Leone · Africa
About Bo
Bo, also commonly referred to as Bo Town, is the second largest city in Sierra Leone by population (after Freetown) and the largest city in the Southern Province. It is the capital and administrative centre of Bo District. The city of Bo has a population of 223,075 based on 2021 national mid-term census estimates. It lies approximately 160 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Freetown, and about 40 miles (64 km) from Kenema. Bo is the leading financial, educational and economic centre of southern Sierra Leone..
The city of Bo is one of Sierra Leone's six municipalities and is locally governed by the directly elected Bo City Council, which is headed by a mayor. The Mayor and members of the Bo City Council are directly elected every four years in a municipal election. Kobba Musa, Bo's current mayor, was elected in 2023.
The city is the primary home of Njala University, the second largest university in Sierra Leone, after the Fourah Bay College. Bo is also home to the Bo Government Secondary School, commonly known as Bo School, which is one of the biggest and most prominent secondary schools in West Africa. The school has a history of producing some of Sierra Leone's most gifted students. The city is home to the Bo Stadium, the second largest stadium in Sierra Leone, and is mostly used for football matches.
Bo is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Sierra Leone. The city is home to a significant population of many of Sierra Leone's ethnic groups, with no single ethnic group forming a majority. Bo is the principal home of the Mende people, who form the plurality of the city's population. As with most parts of Sierra Leone, the Krio language of the Sierra Leone Creole people is by far the most widely spoken language in Bo and is the primary means of communication in the city.
The city's population is religiously diverse, primarily among Muslims and Christians.
Bo travel guide
Getting there
The road journey from Freetown takes 4 hours by an excellent paved road. The road from Kenema is also in good condition and takes about 1 hour.
See
Though Bo is the second city of Sierra Leone, there is not a lot to see here. Most people will use it as a stopping point on the way to other places. Small scale diamond mining is present in the area and could be worth a visit.
1 Clock Tower. It's said to be working. Good for orientation. (updated Jul 2020)
Eat
Being a long way from the sea, the menu is rather limited in most places. Beef, chicken or river fish can be found.
1 Americana Bakery and Cafe, Nr Government Hospital entrance, 4 Fenton Rd. (updated Jul 2020)
Drink & nightlife
There are numerous bars throughout the town, usually serving Star beer at reasonable prices.
1 Black And White Bar, ☏ +232 78720596. They have Guinness on tap, live football and a 2nd floor balcony. (updated Jul 2020)
Sleep
Hotels in Bo are very basic compared with those in Freetown. Electricity is often only available during the night, if at all. Town center hotels can be noisy.
1 Dohas Hotel, 103, Bo-Kenema Highway (on the south side of town), ☏ +232 79944444. Seems to be the most reputable lodging, as of July 2020. Pool, restaurant, gym, secured perimeter, gym, free wi-fi, ac. (updated Jul 2020) 2 Hotel Sir Milton, 6 Kissy Town Road (north of clock tower, a few steps away from the Black and White Bar), ☏ +232 76642530. Downtown location, internet cafe, small restaurant, does not have the best reviews (broken TV, etc). (updated Jul 2020) 3 Sahara Hotel, ☏ +232 77536395. In a quiet part of the city. Food service. Countryside Hotel on the Bo-Kenema road on the south of the town. Has electricity during the night and air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool and tennis court. It has deteriorated somewhat since it opened. There is also a risk of loud music late into the night. Rooms start at Le120,000. Madame Woki Hotel in the center of town. Very basic, but some rooms have simple air-conditioners which work when the electricity or generator are working. This is usually not all night. Imperial hotel on the Bo-Kenema road on the south of the town.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.