Diamond-rich Liberia is on the north Atlantic coast of West Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d’lvoire. lt’s in recovery from seven years of bitter civil strife, which was brought to an ead in 1997 with open presidential elections. A regional peace initiative means one day travelers will again be able to explore this equatorial country, bask on its beautiful beaches, trek across verdant hillsides and explore pockets of magnificent rainforest.

November to April, in the dry season

Spotting elephants, pygmy hippopotami, chimpanzees and antelopes Exploring Liberia’s stunning rainforest, covering around 40% of the country Visiting the bustling town of Ganta (Gompa City) in Liberia’s mountainous interior Dining on collard greens and sweet-potato pie at a tiny roadside ‘chop bar Swimming in the vast Atlantic Ocean at Ellen’s Beach, near Monrovia Experiencing the rich diversity and ceremonial cultures of over a dozen different ethnic groups

Read Liberia: Portrait of a Failed State by John-Peter Pham, a sensitive, factual account of African politics and Western intervention

Listen to Pavarotti-Friends-For The Children Of Liberia, a collection of extreme musical genres-including Bon Jovi and the Spice Girls-under the uplifting guidance of Luciano Pavarotti

Watch Liberia: America Stepchild, by Liberian filmmaker Nancee Oku Bright, a startling documentary about the settlement of freed American slaves in Liberia and their interactions with the indigenous peoples

Eat goat soup, the national soup, and traditional rice bread made with mashed bananas

Drink ginger beer, poyo (palm wine) and strong coffee

Diamonds for sale

Diamond smugglers; tidal lagoons; lush rainforest; amazing wildlife; rubber plantations; a nation of proud survivors; mangrove swamps; a struggling economy; cassava and sweet potato; a founding member of the United Nations

Monrovia is one of the wettest capitals in Africa with over 4500mm of annual rainfall and humidity of over 90%-phew!

When is a Rebel Not a Rebel? That is the question people in Liberia had to ask themselves after some yellow T-shirts worn by the Liberian government’s ‘Navy Rangers’ were captured and worn by rebels, causing utter confusion. T-shirts may not seem like decent military dress, but this is a conflict where gangsta-chic is as common as camouflage fatigues, and high-as-a-kite rebels have been known to wear pink bathrobes and shower caps.