Was there for a long weekend just over a year ago. FNA airport is a bit of an experience when you land but gets the job done. It is a long old way from Freetown however and the helicopter ride is the best way to get into town, but has a horrific safety record. Still, an amazing experience as its a Russian military helicopter and you are strapped in with the cargo in the middle of the cabin. If you dont want to use it, there is a hovercraft, which sinks less then the helicopter crashes, always a bonus, or go by road, but as the flight lands late and the road sometimes has bandits, it may be good to spend the night at the hotel and travel during the day. I used the helicopter when I arrived and the hovercraft on the way back to FNA (the helicopter has 'technical issues').

Freetown is not setup for tourism, police are very corrupt (we were 'fined' for driving with flip-flops, driving at night, driving down the road etc etc.) I was there as a good friend of mine lives there and runs a prominent business in SL so had people attending to us and making sure that we were safe and looked after. If you want to go, you need this. There is no public transport or infrastructure like this yet.

Overall, the place is a craphole, but saying that, its also one of the the most wonderful places I have been to in Africa, its real and charming. I loved it and am planning to go back this October. Its hard to explain how I can call it a craphole and then say its wonderful, but should you go, you will see what I mean. We all travel a lot on this forum, and my SL trip has been one of my all time travel highlights. You can go from deserted white sand beaches, after having massive fresh lobster in a road side shack to a bustling market then onto waterside bars and 'the office' club, the newish place in town.

If you need any help planning or want me to put you in touch with some people over there, send me a PM. Its not a family destination though, so if you have young kids, leave them at home, its still a little dangerous.