Sierra Leone Eco-Lodge: Should You Stay At The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary?

Want to stay in a Sierra Leone eco-lodge on your next trip? If you ever want to stay in a forest surrounded by wildlife, visit Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary; it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Sierra Leone. 

I hope you know how much I love visiting Sierra Leone. I always recommend a visit to the sanctuary, which is not only a place where over 120 rescued chimps have found a safe home but also a forest retreat that offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

In this review guide, I share my experience staying overnight in one of Tacugama’s eco-lodges and why I think it’s worth adding to your Sierra Leone itinerary.

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Is It Worth Staying Overnight In A Sierra Leone Eco-Lodge?

*I stayed at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary on a sponsored visit. However, all opinions are my own. 

Over the years, I’ve visited the sanctuary a couple of times and stayed at the eco-lodges in Sierra Leone’s Freetown on both occasions. Each time I’ve been there, I’ve taken a friend to experience the place and support the sanctuary since it’s one of my favourite activities in Sierra Leone.

I always recommend the sanctuary tour, although staying overnight completes the experience in my mind because it allows for a relaxed, unrushed visit while reconnecting me to nature, which I really value.

With this in mind, an overnight visit to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is well worth it, but let me tell you why.

Tacugama is a unique experience. Although the rescued chimpanzees are still restricted to the boundaries of the protected forest, it is still amazing to know they are roaming around the forest. It’s not very often we get to see them in their natural habitat. 

Being immersed in the jungle helped connect me to the chimps and spirit of the forest, but it also gave me time to enjoy the facilities and activities. In recent years, the sanctuary has begun expanding its attractions and offers additional activities, such as forest hiking, which can be combined with its popular sanctuary tour. With the overnight stay, I was planning to incorporate more of these activities to make the most of my time there.

In addition, I found the staff to be helpful and friendly. They also (re)educated me on the threats faced by wild chimpanzees in Sierra Leone. Their outreach programs are rather impressive, and by staying overnight at the eco-lodge, I was actively contributing to the protection of these incredible creatures.

Let’s Talk More About The Accommodation 

The Sierra Leone eco-lodge I stayed in was quite simple, although pretty amazing. As I mentioned, they have been built within the forest and are surrounded by wilderness, the same habitat the chimps thrive in. 

There are two types of lodges. You’ve got the roundhouse bungalows and the tree houses, which go over two floors and have walkout balconies in the canopy. Each lodge is named after a chimp who has lived at the sanctuary and provides a slightly different experience. 

During my last trip, I stayed in Mumma Lucy Lodge, one of the tree houses; it was a charming place to spend the night.

Inside the eco-lodge, which is self-contained, you’ll find a comfy double bed (or at least this is what was in mine; some have single beds), a kitchen and dining area, and a bathroom. There’s also a private patio area and BBQ, and the balconies also have hammocks on them. 

On-site, there is a communal dining area where breakfast is held. Breakfast is included, although other meals come at an additional price. The breakfast was great: fresh fruit, pancakes, and an omelette with fresh juice and tea/coffee.

There are also hammocks and chairs dotted around, and since the accommodations are set only a few yards from the chimpanzee enclosures, you’ll be sure to hear them in the background!

It was a really enjoyable experience for me. I loved staying in the jungle, swinging in my hammock, and listening to the birds and chimps. 

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Where To Find The Sierra Leone Eco-Lodge?

The Sierra Leone eco-lodge can be found at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located on the north end of the Western Area NP in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It’s about 15 km between central Freetown and the sanctuary, which takes around half an hour to reach if there’s not too much traffic. 

We went in a tuk-tuk, which is one of the main transport options in the capital; however, since the sanctuary is located up a steep hill, the tuk-tuks can’t go all the way. I had to walk the final section, although it didn’t take too long, and there was a nice woodland path to follow. I’ve written this guide to help you plan your trip if you’re interested to know how to get to the sanctuary.

⭐ Pro tip >> If you prefer to be dropped off directly outside Tacugama Sanctuary, the best way is to arrange a 4×4, as it’s the only vehicle that can manage the final section.

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When To Visit Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is open daily, but you’ll want to visit for the sanctuary tours, which are held four times a day.

• 10:30-11:30
• 12:00-13:00
• 14:30-15:30
• 16:00-17:00

⭐ Pro tip >> For the best experience, I recommend the 10:30 am sanctuary tour, as this includes feeding in the forest enclosure. 

Climate & Weather

You can visit Sierra Leone any time of the year; however, the weather is tropical, with both a wet and dry season. You can visit Tacugama during the rainy season (May to October), although it’s best during the dry season (November to April) for optimal weather.

Since the eco-lodges are within Sierra Leone’s forest, they do offer some protection from the harsh weather. It helps that the sanctuary is atop a hill, so visiting during the rainy season won’t be as problematic as it is in other parts of the country. However, access may become limited, especially during the heaviest of the rains—this is usually August. I would avoid visiting between August and September. 

⭐ Pro tip >> Sierra Leone is blessed with a refreshing breeze between November and January. It’s known as the Harmattan and comes from the Sharara, which brings a cool wind. Due to this, planning a trip between November and January is the best time to visit Sierra Leone and the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. 

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How Many Days Do I Recommend Staying At Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

I stayed overnight, which would have been enough to enjoy the sanctuary and partake in an additional activity; however, during my stay, there was an escape! 

One of the adult chimps escaped from the enclosure and was on the loose! This meant we (myself and the others staying at the sanctuary) were confined to our lodges. It took all morning for the staff to locate and catch the chimp, which meant I missed out on my hike. 

Luckily, I had done the sanctuary tour the evening before. I would recommend joining a forest trek in the afternoon and the sanctuary tour in the morning. I planned my visit in reverse due to time restraints, but I have previously seen the morning feeding, so it was okay for me. If it’s your first time, the morning sanctuary tour is best.

Although escapes are not a regular occurrence, you could plan a two-night visit. This is certainly a good option if you enjoy nature and hiking and want to encounter more of the forest. The eco-lodges are fantastic for getting some downtime and unwinding near nature. 

⭐ Pro tip >> The sanctuary is busiest during the weekend and during the holiday period. I advise you to book your Sierra Leone eco-lodge ahead of time to ensure availability so you won’t be disappointed, which you can do on the website. 

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Are You Wondering About The Activities The Sanctuary Offers?

I’ve mentioned a few times the various activities offered by Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. These activities, such as forest hikes and immersive yoga classes, are great as they provide a more wholesome experience and opportunities to help support the sanctuary. 

Here’s a quick list of activities offered by Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary:

• The Sanctuary Tour
• Forest hikes 
• Waterfall hikes 
• Bird watching 
• Yoga classes
• Music nights
• Curry nights

These activities are available to everyone, but they require pre-booking. There are various trails around the sanctuary, ranging between 1.5 to 3 hours, so you’ll be able to choose a level suited to you. The hikes leave at 9 am and 1 pm and require at least two people. 

As for the yoga classes, music nights and curry nights, these events are part of the sanctuary’s growing efforts to expand the boundaries of the protected forest. 

You don’t need to stay at the eco-lodges to participate in these activities; however, staying at the sanctuary and combining these activities certainly adds to a more rounded experience at Tacugama.

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How Much Money Do You Need To Budget?

The best thing about the Sierra Leone eco-lodge is that they are reasonably priced and designed to accommodate everyone, from families to couples. That said, a visit to Sierra Leone is rarely inexpensive, and you can bank on it being an expensive trip!

For an overnight visit, including two activities (a sanctuary tour and a guided hike), you should budget around $150 per person. This includes breakfast, although additional meals are extra. Since each eco-lodge has a BBQ and cooking facilities available, you can choose to bring your own groceries for cooking if you’re planning on staying longer. 

Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown. 

• Accommodation stay in Eco Lodge $90 to $150 (depending on bungalow or treehouse)
• Sanctuary Tour only: adults 300 leones (about $15) / Child 150 leones
• Waterfall/viewpoint hike with guide: 300 leones per hike
• Bird Watching: 300 leones (+100 leones for breakfast) 
• Yoga on the deck: $55 one-day pass / $100 two-day pass
• Salone music night: $35
• Curry night: $35

*At the time of writing, the exchange rate is around 24 leones per USD.

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Why Did I Choose To Stay The Night At Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary?

I really wanted to deliver a complete review of visiting the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which included the overnight stay, so I could tell you whether it was worthwhile. 

There are also additional outdoor activities to consider. I was really looking forward to going on a forest hike, but it was not meant to be. The escaped chimpanzee certainly added an element of excitement to my visit, but it means I’m not able to recommend the hike based on my personal experience.

That said, I have read a few reviews, and they are overwhelmingly positive. So, if you are hoping to explore the rainforest during your visit, doing so via the sanctuary seems to be a good option. 

Back to the actual eco-lodges, and the one I stayed in was lovely. It was isolated enough to feel like I was alone, but it was close enough to the sanctuary and other lodges that I felt safe. This was even more important to me as I was there alone. It was also comfortable enough that I could relax and get some downtime before returning to the city. 

I found it to be a wonderful retreat and a fantastic place to escape the chaos of Freetown. The capital city is fun, but it is also wild, so a night or two immersed in the rainforest is always a good option!

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Essential Sierra Leone Travel Resources

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.

below are some of our most popular articles:

• I love Sierra Leone, but it’s not an easy country to visit, nevertheless it’s one of the most rewarding. Read my article to discover what it’s really like to travel there.
• If you’re visiting, make sure to read my guide on how to get to Freetown from the airport!
• Aside from the sanctuary, another one of my favourite places to visit in Sierra Leone is the islands. For a well-rounded itinerary, you can add an overnight visit to the Banana Islands.
• Read this article to learn the best way to reach the Banana Islands.

⭐ 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.

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Final Thoughts | The best Sierra Leone Eco-Lodge

So, do I think Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is worth visiting? 100% I do! It’s a great place that allowed me to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat (and in the play and learning enclosures) and educated me about the continuous threats these primates face, conservation efforts and help contribute to their protection. 

Additionally, staying overnight in one of their eco-lodges is a relaxing and immersive opportunity, which I’m so grateful I got to experience (twice); however, it’s important to note that these aren’t ‘luxury’ accommodations, and you’ll be faced with creepy crawlies, rickety floorboards and basic amenities. 

Overall, the eco-lodges at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone are wonderfully created and not to be missed if you’re visiting the sanctuary!