Slavery
Bunce Island
Port Loko District — Sierra Leone River
The slave fort where Gullah Geechee ancestors were held before being shipped to South Carolina and Georgia.
Slavery, Resistance and Abolition — Part 1: Slavery
Built around 1670 by English merchants, Bunce Island was one of the most significant slave-trading fortresses on the West African coast. Tens of thousands of Africans — particularly Temne and Mende people skilled in rice cultivation — were shipped from here to South Carolina and Georgia, making it the direct ancestral link for the Gullah Geechee people.
Designated Sierra Leone's first protected historic site in 1948, Bunce Island is now under the Monuments and Relics Commission. The ruins of the castle, the cannon batteries, the slave yard, and the graveyard remain. Walking the island is among the most emotionally powerful experiences in the African diaspora — many visitors describe it as a pilgrimage rather than a tour.
A morning boat excursion from Freetown brings you to Bunce Island on Day 2. Your guides will walk you through the history and invite you to reflect at each location.
This Destination Is On Your Tour
All tour packages include a guided visit to Bunce Island as part of the full 10-day itinerary.