Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary — Attraction in Western Area

I recently visited the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, just 30 minutes from Freetown’s bustling city center, and it was an eye-opening experience. Tucked within the lush Western Area Peninsula National Park, this sanctuary is one of several chimpanzee refuges across Africa, but it stands out for its intimate scale and heartfelt mission. Housing over 30 chimpanzees—mostly babies orphaned by poachers—it’s a place where conservation meets compassion.

The sanctuary’s purpose hit me hard: these little chimps were rescued from a grim fate. Poachers in Sierra Leone target them to sell as exotic pets or, shockingly, for their meat. Tacugama steps in as a safe haven, nurturing these vulnerable babies with the goal of releasing them into the wild once they’re strong enough to survive as adults. Learning about their journey from trauma to potential freedom was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Getting there requires some planning—you’ll need to book a car, ideally a 4WD, as the road can be rough, especially after rain. It’s a short trip from Freetown, but it feels like stepping into another world, surrounded by dense rainforest and the distant calls of wildlife. They offer two guided tours daily, at 9 AM and 4 PM, and I’d recommend booking ahead since spots are limited. I took the morning tour, which lasted about an hour, and it was timed perfectly to see the chimps during their feeding—a lively sight as they swung around their enclosures.

The setup is modest compared to larger sanctuaries, but that’s part of its charm. You can tell every resource goes straight to the chimps’ care. The staff are passionate, sharing stories of individual chimps and the broader fight against poaching. It’s not a zoo—it’s a rehabilitation lifeline, and that distinction makes the visit feel meaningful. My only gripe? No on-site snacks or souvenirs, so bring your own water and mementos. Still, it’s a must-do if you’re in Freetown and care about wildlife. Tacugama’s work is a quiet but powerful stand against the loss of Sierra Leone’s...

A Lesson in Wildlife, Compassion and History

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary not only enlightens visitors about wildlife conservation but also resonates deeply with the poignant history of slavery in this region. As we wandered through the sanctuary, nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Sierra Leone, there was a palpable sense of connection to the past. The stories of chimpanzees rescued from abuse and neglect mirror the narratives of human suffering and resilience that mark the area's history. Learning about these chimps, our closest living relatives with whom we share 98.6% of our DNA, naturally evokes a profound sense of kinship and empathy. This sanctuary does more than just protect and rehabilitate chimpanzees; it subtly encourages us to extend our compassion beyond our species, acknowledging our shared vulnerabilities and the need for kindness to all beings. It's a moving experience that intertwines wildlife conservation with a deeper understanding of our collective history and humanity.

Took great shots of chimps with their human like behavior and facial expressions.

Staff is great. It costs 300 SL (about US $14) for a foreigner and 100 SL...

Tacagamu is a chimpanzee sanctuary that shelters and rehab for 120 chimpanzees who can no longer survive in their natural environment. The chimpanzees have been injured or kidnapped by poachers, incurred habitat destruction, or were part of pet trade. The chimps live in 3 areas by age. The larger more lush area is for those who are in final stage to return to their natural habitat. This area open to viewing with direction of the skilled guidebut are harder to spot. Two mores areas include a quarantine section fornewly confiscated ones and a youngster nursery, are closed to the general public. They also have medical Area eith surgery center. Other programs are a yoga program, chimps out reach program, yoga progran, new ecolodges, and several hiking events. Gift shop provides many local made products, This is a great worthwhile experience for...