Eastern Province: Masakpaidu and Forest Landscapes

The Eastern Province offers travel experiences ranging from the history of a single village to extensive forest reserves and striking mountain ranges. In Kono, this historical perspective leads to Masakpaidu, an abandoned village with a fortification dating from around 1800. Tingi, Kambui and Gola offer a different perspective: their distinctive features lie in their peaks, streams and the layout of their protected areas. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in history, mountain ranges or forest landscapes.

Masakpaidu: Fortification and Village History

Masakpaidu is located in Nimmi-Yema Chiefdom in Kono District. The village was finally abandoned after the Sofas under Alimamy plundered it around 1893. Its fortification dates from around 1800, before the Protectorate. Tall Cotton Tree stakes enclosed the fortified area: they were 12 feet high, some took root, and their stumps are still present. Outside the line of stakes ran a trench about 300 yards long. The line of stakes and the trench therefore mark distinct elements of the historic site.

The sequence of events links the structure to the fate of the village: the fortification was followed by the plundering and the village’s final abandonment. Those interested in local history can consider Masakpaidu through two specific questions: How was the village enclosed, and what event preceded its abandonment? Before making plans, check whether a visit to the historic site is possible.

Tingi Hills: Peaks, Gorge and Streams

The Tingi Hills Forest Reserve lies between Nieya Chiefdom in Koinadugu District of the Northern Province and Sando and Lei Chiefdoms in Kono District of the Eastern Province. The Sankan Birriwa massif comprises two peaks separated by a narrow gorge. Both are higher than 1,800 metres; the northern peak reaches 1,850 metres. The terrain of the Tingi Hills is mostly rocky and crossed by numerous streams that originate in the Sankan Birriwa massif.

These features give the landscape its distinctive structure: two high peaks stand opposite one another in a confined area, while the gorge, rocky terrain and streams provide further landmarks. There are campsites along the ridge, on the route to Sankan-Birriwa. Ask in advance about local visitor and camping options. The Tingi Hills are therefore especially appealing to travellers interested in mountain ranges and the structure of a mountainous landscape.

Kambui Hills and Gola Forest

The Kambui Hills Forest Reserve can be reached from Kenema via a motorable unpaved road. Check local road conditions before setting out. The reserve consists of two sections: Kambui North covers 20,348 hectares, and Kambui South 880 hectares. The main road to Kenema separates the two areas. Kambui North is therefore considerably larger by area; the division and the road location give the reserve a different spatial layout from Tingi, which is shaped by the Sankan Birriwa massif.

Gola Forest also consists of named sections: Gola North covers 45,800 hectares, Gola East 22,800 hectares and Gola West 6,200 hectares. The three reserves are located in the Eastern and Southern Provinces. Unlike the two Kambui sections, Gola’s three names indicate a division across several protected areas and provinces; the areas listed also show the differences in size between the sections.

These destinations offer different starting points for choosing the focus of your trip: Masakpaidu represents a specific village history, the Tingi Hills offer peaks and streams, Kambui has two clearly defined forest sections, and Gola comprises three large reserves in two provinces. Discover more destinations: Kono, Western Area, Northern.

See the overview of destinations: Sierra Leone.