Tiwai Island

A rainforest island reserve on the Moa River, home to eleven primate species and the pygmy hippo. In 2025 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site together with Gola Rainforest.

Tiwai Island lies in Pujehun District, Southern Province, Sierra Leone. It is a rainforest island of about 12 square kilometers in the Moa River, and its name means 'big island' in Mende. The island is jointly owned by the Barri and Kpaa chiefdoms. It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1987 and was largely abandoned during the civil war. After the war, the local NGO Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA) and the surrounding communities rebuilt the research station and eco-camp. In 2025, Tiwai Island was inscribed as a World Heritage Site together with Gola Rainforest National Park to the east, as the Gola–Tiwai Complex. The island has eleven primate species, including western chimpanzees, Diana monkeys, red colobus, and white-collared mangabeys, as well as the endangered pygmy hippo and more than 135 bird species. It is one of the densest places in West Africa for observing primates.

Visitors stay in simple wooden huts or tent camps on the island. Community guides lead early-morning and evening walks through the rainforest, the day is for dugout canoe trips on the Moa River, and night walks search for nocturnal animals.

The best season is the November–April dry season. May–October is the rainy season, when roads are poor and mosquitoes are plentiful.

Getting there: From Freetown via Bo to Potoru takes about 5–6 hours by car. From there, a dirt road leads to Kambama village, and a boat crosses to the island in a few minutes. You can also book a package with transfers through a travel agency or EFA.

Plan to stay at least 2 nights and book in advance. Bring insect repellent, a headlamp, and waterproof clothing, and take antimalarial medication as required. Power and phone signal on the island are limited.

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