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Blama
ℹ️Practical info — Blama
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the main agricultural market early in the morning to see the local trade of palm oil and cacao at its peak.
- Motorbike taxis (okadas) are the most common way to get around; always negotiate the fare before sitting.
- Bring plenty of local currency in small bills, as ATMs are rare and cards are generally not accepted.
- Temperatures rise quickly, so plan any longer walks for the late afternoon hours.
🍽 Food
A staple dish usually served with rice; try it at small local eateries near the market.
Buy directly from local vendors along the main roads for a quick and authentic snack.
A traditional, freshly tapped beverage available at informal gatherings or small roadside stops.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The hub for buying fresh agricultural products, local spices, and everyday goods.
Look for vendors selling colorful West African fabrics along the main commercial streets.
Walk towards the edges of the town where the busy streets transition into calm, green agricultural landscapes.
Often shaded spots where locals gather quietly in the afternoon away from the market chaos.
Water temperature…
Blama is a small but significant town in Kenema District in Sierra Leone's Eastern Province, situated about 25 kilometers west of Kenema along the main road to Bo. The town was historically an important node on the old Sierra Leone Railway operating in the early 20th century between Freetown and Pendembu, and grew into a regional hub for the trade in palm oil, cocoa, coffee, and rice. The townscape still contains old warehouses, former station buildings, and colonial administrative offices. Blama lies in the Mende heartland and is one of the economic centers of the Lower Bambara chiefdom. Today, the town is home to many people who commute to Kenema, as well as smallholder farmers from the surrounding villages who grow rice, cassava, and groundnuts. Blama has several schools, a health center, churches, mosques, and a weekly market that draws traders from Bo, Kenema, and Pujehun districts.
- Location: Sierra Leone
- Nearby: Kenema (18 km)
- Population: ~8.146 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| Rain mm | 1 | 7 | 16 | 45 | 116 | 298 | 401 | 457 | 355 | 177 | 52 | 7 |
Geography
Facts
- Headquarters of the Small Bo Chiefdom in Kenema District
- Key stopover on the highway between Bo and Kenema
- Trading center for palm oil and cocoa beans
- Majority of the population belongs to the Mende ethnic group
- Home to several significant local primary and secondary schools
- Population of approximately 8,000 in the town proper
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Frequently asked questions
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