Are you looking to visit a chimpanzee sanctuary on your next trip? Welcome to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, one of the founding PASA organisations in Africa!
When I visit Sierra Leone, I like to make a trip to Tacugama, a chimp haven. I’m inspired by the sanctuary’s ethos and unwavering dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned chimps. As well as its commitment to educating the general public about wildlife conservation you can also adopt a chimpanzee.
The other reason is that it’s a place where I feel at peace, nestled in the tranquil, protected areas of the Western Area Peninsula National Park. The chimp sanctuary is home to six beautiful eco-lodges, each offering a unique and immersive experience within the forest and natural surroundings.
In this article, I share my thoughts and reasons for visiting Tacugama, an African chimpanzee sanctuary in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I’ll share their story, objectives, and ongoing dedication to providing a safer world for the Sierra Leone national animal.
If you’re thinking of visiting but not sure if it’s worthwhile, this article is here to help you decide!
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The Best Chimpanzee Sanctuary In West Africa
By all measures, this chimp sanctuary is one of the best in West Africa; it’s undoubtedly the largest, home to over 120 critically endangered chimpanzees. It’s also one of the founding members of PASA (Pan African Sanctuary Alliance), an association with the singular goal of securing the future of Africa’s wildlife, with a focus on primates, including chimpanzees and gorillas.
Founder and conservationist Bala Amarasekan, alongside his wife Sharmila, opened Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in 1995, making it one the very first wildlife rescue centres of its kind in West Africa. In the following 30 years, the sanctuary has grown from a place of rescue and rehabilitation of western chimpanzees to a diverse conservation organisation spreading knowledge and awareness across Sierra Leone and internationally.
“Tacugama is also actively engaged offsite in community outreach, wildlife field research, environmental sustainability, conservation education and alternative livelihoods programs”.
My Experience In West Africa’s Largest Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Before I provide the reasons why Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is worth visiting, let’s look back on my last visit. Earlier this year, my dad and I decided to head to Sierra Leone for an adventure, this time a road trip through West Africa in a tuk-tuk. It was crazy fun, but that’s a story for another time.
It meant that I would be spending a while in Sierra Leone, a country dear to my heart and one of the most offbeat destinations I’ve ever been to – if you haven’t experienced West Africa before, it plays by different rules: wild and yet somehow gentle. There’s a kindness that is rarely experienced in other parts of the world, and if you’re considering a visit to this country, I implore you to go. Just remember, it’s an off-the-beaten-path destination, so careful planning is required.
Since we were to spend a couple of weeks in Sierra Leone, I made it my mission to visit Tacugama with the sole intention of providing a recollection and review for those of you who are curious to see chimpanzees.
Is Tacugma really worth visiting? I’ve read a few reviews saying otherwise, but the consensus is positive, and from my experience, it’s a chimp haven that’s worth visiting.
I set off in the afternoon, catching a lift in our tuk-tuk (the one that would see us home after a six-week road trip traversing Africa’s landscapes) to the boundary of the Western Area Peninsula National Park, home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Why is Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary worth visiting?
Although arriving early, I was quickly met by Sidikie Bayoh, Communications Officer, who energetically greeted me and began running through the agenda. Afterwards, we took a short walk around the sanctuary.
It’s grown since the last time I visited and now features an event space overlooking the forest. The space has been constructed with the intention of holding private events to help raise funds to grow and develop Tacugama’s outreach programme.
My visit consisted of three elements: a sanctuary tour, an overnight stay, and one additional activity. I chose a two-hour guided hike through the rainforest; however, the staff cancelled the hike due to a chimpanzee escaping!
Before that eventful morning, I attended the afternoon sanctuary tour. I had done this tour before, so I knew what to expect. It’s a great addition to any Sierra Leone itinerary; however, I always stress that to complete the experience an overnight stay at one of the sanctuary’s eco-lodges makes the trip.
During the tour, you’ll learn about the centre’s history and its ongoing conservation efforts, chimpanzee rehabilitation, and outreach programmes to educate and protect wild chimpanzees. There is the opportunity to see the chimps in the learn-and-play enclosure – a place where the younger chimps are able to hone their forest skills – and feeding time in the larger forest enclosures.
The eco-lodges are a beacon of hope pushing towards Sierra Leone’s eco-tourism; although still very far from becoming a green hub, it is a step in the right direction. The additional activities offered by the sanctuary also catalyse this effort, providing outdoor activities to attract wildlife and nature enthusiasts wanting to encounter Sierra Leone’s natural environment.
SO, WHY IS IT WORTH VISITING?
You’ll learn a lot, see African chimpanzees up close, and experience the rainforest as nature intended. Plus, you’ll support vital conservation efforts, have the opportunity to adopt a chimp, and help the sanctuary with its running costs.
Reasons To Visit Tacugama African Wildlife Sanctuary
If you’re heading to West Africa, I highly recommend visiting Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It has five elements that make it one of the best attractions in the area, and it is not to be missed.
1. The Chimps and Rehabilitation Programme
The main reason for visiting is to witness the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and to learn about their rehabilitation.
While in the sanctuary, you’ll be able to see them in the learn-and-play enclosure from an overlooking platform. There is also a chance to see them being fed within the forest – best to attend the morning tour – and in the overnight cages behind the primary enclosure.
They are truly magnificent animals, and observing them always gets exciting; this is one of the best reasons to visit Tacugama.
However, there is one concern: although the chimps are rotated into the large forest enclosures, they are, at times, held within the cages, which means they are not continuously roaming free. As part of my sanctuary tour, I saw one of the groups inside the cages, which was a miserable site. Although well looked after and loved, they did look bored and sad in there.
⭐ Good to know >> This issue is being worked on, but due to the sanctuary’s size, it can’t be helped. Efforts are being made to expand the protected area. To help you can adopt a chimpanzee and contribute to the conservation.
2. The Sanctuary
Talking about the chimpanzee sanctuary, visiting is a great way to help maintain running costs. Within the sanctuary, there are items for sale in a small shop showcasing local artist handicrafts – which make superb gifts – a small cafe selling refreshments (including a delicious banana loaf), the opportunity to adopt a chimpanzee, and additional nature activities (see below item 3).
On some evenings, the centre holds private events in their new event space, which has been created to raise funds in an alternative way to provide financial freedom; why? Because grants come with stipulations! This way, the sanctuary is able to allocate funds to projects of their choosing.
The sanctuary tour is by far the most popular activity, and it’s possible to attend solely for this reason. You’ll get an introduction to the history and mission of Tacugama before being guided through the sanctuary grounds and around the enclosures. It’s a lovely way to introduce oneself to the chimpanzees and learn a little about the work the sanctuary does.
Another reason to visit is to adopt a chimp. Although this can be done online, seeing the chimps firsthand and hearing their tragic stories builds a connection to each rescued chimpanzee.
ADOPT A CHIMPANZEE!
The Tacugmama Guardianship Programme consists of 12 chimps who have been selected as ambassadors to represent the sanctuary’s conservation efforts. Adopting a chimp means receiving a bio, welcome letter and certificate, complimentary access, and quarterly updates—it makes a fantastic gift to loved ones, especially children.
3. Additional Activities
Witnessing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat is not the only reason to visit. The refuge offers a number of additional nature activities, making it a place you can visit for a few days as part of a larger itinerary.
Numerous hiking trails exist in the surrounding area, and although they need to be guided, joining a hike while visiting is a great way to explore the forest. There are also opportunities for forest walks and bird watching with one of the centre’s experienced guides, which can lead you to rare and endangered species, waterfall hikes, and panoramic viewpoints.
⭐ Pro tip >> Anyone can attend events held within the sanctuary grounds, and you don’t need to be staying at the sanctuary. Events such as Jazz nights, Salone music nights, curry nights, and even yoga classes are held spontaneously throughout the month. The best way to stay in the know is to subscribe to Tacugama’s newsletter.
4. The Outreach Programme
One of the most essential aspects of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the work they do through their outreach programme. Originally designed to spread knowledge and awareness, it has exponentially grown over the years into a thriving multi-disciplinary programme providing education and community support throughout Sierra Leone.
However, at the heart of it, they deliver community conservation, environmental education, field research, and law enforcement while advocating for law reform.
Running the outreach programme is a substantial effort. In the community conservation sector, Tacugama collaborates closely with local communities and NGOs to offer livelihood support, develop infrastructure, and promote environmental awareness. Their initiatives include tree planting, forest patrols, and comprehensive data analysis. The sanctuary also produces detailed reports for government bodies, commercial enterprises, and charitable organisations, ensuring that their conservation efforts are well-documented and impactful.
⭐ An example of this is the collaboration between Tagugama and the Sunday Foundation, a charitable organisation that mainly builds schools and provides access to water. Working alongside the foundation, Tacugama pays teachers to educate the children, including environmental awareness.
As for environmental education, Tacugma is heavily involved in raising awareness within schools through TKEEP (Tacugama Kids Environmental Education Programme). This entails school visits, sanctuary tours, and collaborations with other foundations, such as the Roots and Shoots youth leadership programme.
5. Ecotourism In Sierra Leone
“Tacugama is also an eco-tourism hub for Freetown – home to 6 eco-lodges and a variety of activities for both tourists and Freetowners alike to participate in”.
Another one of my favourite reasons for visiting West Africa’s largest chimpanzee wildlife refuge is the chance to stay overnight at the eco-lodges. There are four solar-powered treehouses and two roundhouse bungalows; these lodges are a superb way to escape the bustling capital city and spend some downtime unwinding in the forest’s natural surroundings.
A visit to Tacugama is not complete without a stay at the eco-lodges. I love the connection to nature and the feeling of being completely disconnected from the rest of the world.
Tacugama’s eco-lodges have been available to the community since 2012, providing a unique forest retreat. The best thing about staying at them is that you’ll be actively contributing to the conservation programmes and have the chance to experience a unique forest stay.
6. Volunteer Programme
The final reason to visit Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is its dedication to conservation outreach and chimpanzee rehabilitation. The centre is deeply involved in research and development, and it welcomes volunteers, interns, and researchers who want to deepen their skills and expertise in habitat conservation.
Volunteering at Tacugama is a superb way to get hands-on experience in the various activities required to maintain and support a wildlife sanctuary. You’ll assist with daily tasks such as feeding the animals, helping with medical care, and participating in conservation efforts, all while learning about the importance of preserving wildlife and their habitats.
⭐ All volunteers receive lodging, meals and visa arrangements. Visit the website for more information on volunteering at Tacugama.
Essential Resources For Sierra Leone
I’ve created a packing list to help make life easier for you and relieve the stress of packing. This useful resource is perfect for any trip to Sierra Leone.
The ultimate Sierra Leone packing list
This is a FREE PDF download.
Below are some of our most popular articles:
- Read this article and find out my top-rated things to do in Sierra Leone.
- In this article, I share all my tips on how to get from Lungi Airport to the capital.
- I also visited the Banana Islands on the southern tip of the Freetown peninsula, which was another lovely retreat. I recommend staying a couple of nights to enjoy the tranquillity.
- Find out why I think Sierra Leone is expensive to visit despite being one of the poorest countries in the world.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re going to be using your phone, don’t forget about overseas data roaming. You’ll get charged for using your data. Try Airalo’s eSIMs and download a digital data pack. It’s quick and easy; great if you’re in a hurry.
Reasons Not To Visit Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Although I believe a visit to Tacugama is a must on every first-time visitor’s itinerary to Sierra Leone, there are a few drawbacks. As with any attraction, it’s worth considering these reasons as they might not align with your preferences.
Despite the sanctuary’s best efforts, you will still see chimpanzees in cages. This can be upsetting. The sanctuary rotates the chimps into large forest enclosures, but they are sometimes held in cages due to space constraints.
Another thing to consider is that Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located within the Western Area Peninsula National Park, which can be challenging to reach. The biggest issue is mobility restriction—the sanctuary is not suitable for those with walking limitations. The sanctuary is an offbeat destination requiring careful planning and potentially arduous travel, which might not appeal to you.
While the eco-lodges offer a unique experience, they might not provide the level of comfort you are used to. Amenities are basic, focusing more on eco-tourism and nature immersion rather than luxury, which may not suit your preferences.
It’s also worth keeping in mind the sanctuary is in a rainforest environment, which means it can be hot, humid, and prone to heavy rains during the wet season. This climate might be uncomfortable if you’re not used to tropical weather conditions. There are also lots of creepy crawlies!
Final Thoughts | The Best Chimpanzee Sanctuary in West Africa
My final message to you if you’re considering a visit to West Africa’s top chimpanzee sanctuary is this: if you’re seeking a unique experience immersed in nature and want to support the conservation of Sierra Leone’s most magnificent animals, a visit to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a must.
It’s one of my all-time favourite places to visit. Although you won’t get hands-on experience, you’ll still have the opportunity to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. For families, it’s a lovely way to introduce children to wildlife in a safe and secure environment.
Consider whether to visit for a sanctuary tour or embark on a longer, multi-day adventure. Weighing the pros and cons of an overnight stay is crucial. To get the whole experience, I believe staying in the eco-lodges, alongside an afternoon hike and morning sanctuary tour, is the best way to visit Tacugama.
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