Ten Things to Do at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Masingbi, Sierra Leone
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Masingbi, Sierra Leone is a unique conservation and education center dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of chimpanzees. Located in the lush rainforest of the Western Area Peninsula National Park, the sanctuary is home to over 90 rescued chimpanzees and provides a safe haven for these endangered primates. Visitors to the sanctuary can look forward to a variety of activities and experiences, from learning about the chimpanzees’ behaviors and habits to helping out with their rehabilitation and enrichment. Here are ten things to do at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Masingbi, Sierra Leone.
1. Tour the Sanctuary: The sanctuary offers daily guided tours that take visitors around the sanctuary grounds, allowing them to observe the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. During the tour, visitors will learn about the sanctuary’s history, the chimpanzees’ behaviors, and how the sanctuary is helping to protect and rehabilitate them.
2. Feed the Chimpanzees: Visitors can get up close and personal with the chimpanzees by helping to feed them. The sanctuary provides a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for the chimpanzees and visitors can help by offering them treats.
3. Take a Hike: The sanctuary’s grounds are surrounded by lush rainforest and visitors can take a guided hike through the forest to observe the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
4. Visit the Education Centre: The education centre at the sanctuary offers visitors the chance to learn more about the chimpanzees and their environment. Through interactive exhibits, visitors can learn about the threats facing chimpanzees and how the sanctuary is helping to protect them.
5. Participate in the Adoption Program: Visitors can help to support the sanctuary by adopting a chimpanzee. Adopting a chimpanzee helps to cover the costs of their care, including food, medical treatment, and enrichment activities.
6. Attend a Workshop: The sanctuary offers a variety of workshops for visitors, from learning how to track and observe chimpanzees to learning how to create enrichment activities for them.
7. Take a Night Safari: Visitors can take a night safari to observe the chimpanzees in their natural habitat after dark. During the safari, visitors can observe the chimpanzees’ behaviors and habits, as well as the nocturnal animals that inhabit the sanctuary.
8. Visit the Chimpanzee Nursery: The sanctuary’s chimpanzee nursery is home to the sanctuary’s youngest members. Visitors can observe the chimpanzees as they play and interact with each other, and learn more about their development.
9. Explore the Local Village: The sanctuary is located in the small village of Masingbi, and visitors can explore the village to learn more about the local culture and customs.
10. Shop at the Gift Shop: The sanctuary’s gift shop offers a variety of souvenirs and gifts, from books about chimpanzees to handmade crafts from the local village. Shopping at the gift shop helps to support the sanctuary and the local community.
Visiting Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Masingbi, Sierra Leone is a unique and rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking to observe the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, learn more about their behaviors, or help out with their rehabilitation and enrichment, the sanctuary offers a variety of activities and experiences for visitors.