Sierra Leone

When trying to place Sierra Leone, Romesh finds it impossible to think of anything other than the country’s dark history - a horrific civil war, child soldiers, blood diamonds and Ebola. But with the green light to travel for the first time since the start of the pandemic, he is exploring the country to find out whether Brits could and should plan their next holiday here.

Rom is picked up by Gwyn Jay Allen, a local musician who’s agreed to spend a week showing him around and opening his eyes to incredible places, either unknown or forgotten.

They venture through spectacular national parks, hoping to witness extraordinary and rare wildlife such as the elusive pygmy hippo, sample the national drink poyo, take in miles and miles of the most incredible beaches and meet locals living truly off-grid. They then settle down for the night at a once-in-a-lifetime camping spot on a remote archipelago.

But as safe as the country feels, creatures aside, Rom can’t avoid its complex and brutal past, which has lasting effects today. Visiting Bunce Island’s slave fort, the capital Freetown, a diamond mine and the incredible athletes that make up the Flying Stars amputee football club, he learns about the trauma endured by Sierra Leonians - their unbelievable resilience and astonishing hopes for the future, of which tourism forms a key part.