GFLL overnight

[sunbeam1]

Hi, again looking for good advices for Hotels near the Airport.
Only find the Lungi Hotel.
Don't like to drive 5 hours downtown...Freetown

How do you prepare against malaria?

Regards

[galaxy flyer]

Anti malarial to use is Malerone. I've bought in Geneva at University Hospital. Take one a day starting one day prior to entry and for 7 days after leaving malarial area. Take it with some fatty food--yogurt is good.

No help fir hotels.

[caiman27]

The normal way to get from the airport to Freetown is the ferry. It's much quicker than the drive around the estuary and was fine the last time I did it.

UK government travel advice says this: "Lungi airport is situated on the far side of a wide estuary from Freetown. There are several transfer options from Lungi airport including by road, ferry, water taxi and local boats or pirogues. The 3 main water taxi operators run reliable services, with safe vessels."

Several decent hotels in Freetown. The usual travel sites will advise you.

If not, the only option is the Lungi Hotel as the other place burned down.

[sunbeam1]

Thanks to all...:)

[MungoP]

as for malaria.. two facts ...
1) Only the female mosquito carries the disease, as it's not easy to spot the difference between the M or F you may want to rely more on,
2) Mosquitoes will appear at around sunset so the risk is predominantly evening and night time.. Cover exposed parts as much as practical, ie. no T shirts and shorts after the sun sets, and dab some repellent on ankles, wrists and face..

[exeng]

The ferries have sunk from time to time in the past. There used to be a helicopter service but I am not sure if after the last accident there still is. If it is a Russian made heli take a cab.

The Lungi hotel is the only place to stay and is awful. Cold shower, crap food but they do have cold beer.

I last stayed there when Tony Blair and his Mrs were visiting. It was bad enough before they had deposited themselves.

Nice people though generally in Freetown.


Kind regards
Exeng

[toscana24]

The vehicle/pax ferry across to Kissi is a true "African" experience - it is cheap, noisy, full and even with a "VIP" seat just a wooden bench. On arrival across the estuary you then have a slow journey (in impossible traffic) to where the hotels are (most are at Aberdeen). The alternative is a speedboat or fast ferry service across to Aberdeen. Seacoach Express is the best service (see their website) - it costs $40 and takes about 30 mins. NB in stormy weather, the estuary can be rough...


The erstwhile (Mil 8) helicopter service stopped many years back; there was a hovercraft service (an old Isle of Wight one) which has come and gone several times (but is not operating now).


The Radisson Blu at Mammy Yoko, is a good hotel which is close to the seacoach terminal and quite a few nice restaurants. But there are other good hotels around Aberdeen and also there is the Country Lodge a few miles away at Hill Station with commanding views.


Lungi Hotel is pretty grim but would probably be bearable for one night - certainly not for longer.