Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
A chimpanzee rescue center in the rainforest of the Western Area Peninsula, caring for West African chimpanzees confiscated from poachers and illegal pet owners. Visitors can join guided tours for close observation.
Founded in 1995, Tacugama is in the rainforest of Western Area Peninsula National Park, about 10 km south of Freetown. It has rescued more than a hundred chimpanzees that were illegally traded or kept as pets. Visitors must join scheduled guided tours, usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon, lasting about 1.5 hours. Advance booking is required. From behind the fence, you can observe chimpanzee groups of different ages and learn about conservation work. The sanctuary also offers rainforest hikes and eco-cabins for overnight stays. It's about 40 minutes by taxi from the city. The last stretch is a steep dirt road, so a hired car or four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended.
Opening hours
Tours usually at 10:30 and 16:00 (reservation required)
Nearby sights
- Leicester Peak
- Lakka Beach
- Sierra Leone National Railway Museum
- St. John's Maroon Church
- Old Fourah Bay College Building
- Sierra Leone National Museum
- St. George's Cathedral, Freetown
- Big Market