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The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has announced that Freetown will host the 2026 Budapest–Bamako–Freetown Rally Finish Line Events, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s position as a key destination for international adventure tourism.
The Budapest–Bamako Rally, one of the world’s largest amateur vehicular and charitable adventure events, begins in Budapest, Hungary, and traverses Europe and Africa, with Freetown serving as the official finish destination.
According to the Ministry, the 2026 rally will arrive in two batches. The first batch, consisting of 352 vehicles and 794 participants, will enter Sierra Leone on 8 February 2026 and camp overnight at Bureh Beach on 9 February, followed by the Finish Line Ceremony. The second batch, comprising 203 vehicles and 492 participants, is scheduled to arrive on 5 March 2026, camp at Bureh Beach, and conclude with a Finish Line Ceremony on 6 March 2026.
Rally participants will enter the country through the Balamuya/Kamawi and Madina Oula (Kambia) border points. Convoys will travel along designated routes through Kambia Gbaray Junction, Kamakwie, Kabba Ferry, Masiaka, Mile 91, Waterloo, and the Waterloo–Tombo Highway to Bureh Beach.
The final procession to Freetown will proceed via the Waterloo–Freetown Highway, passing through Up Gun, Kissy Road, Eastern Police, Abacha Street, Siaka Stevens Street, St. John, Congo Cross, and Wilkinson Road, before terminating at Lumley Beach, Gigibonta Car Park, the official finish line venue.
The Ministry noted that since 2020, Sierra Leone has successfully hosted five Budapest–Bamako Rally finish line events, prompting organizers to retain Freetown as the rally’s official finish destination for the period 2024–2034.
Declared the Year of Culture and Creativity, 2026 presents an opportunity to showcase Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage, hospitality, and tourism potential, while generating socio-economic benefits through job creation, revenue generation, community development, environmental initiatives, and cross-cultural exchange.
The Ministry has called on the public, local communities, and the media to support the event and warmly welcome rally participants during their stay in the country.
