All activities / Wildlife Safaris / Tiwai Island
Wildlife Safaris in Tiwai Island
A twelve square kilometre river island in the Moa River of southern Sierra Leone, deep in the Upper Guinea rainforest, run as a community wildlife sanctuary with one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world and a small tented ecotourism camp.
Why here
Tiwai Island packs one of the densest primate populations on earth into a forested river island you explore on foot and by boat. Eleven primate species live here, among them the rare Diana monkey, red colobus and chimpanzees, and the island shelters one of the healthiest populations of the elusive pygmy hippopotamus, a knee-high forest hippo found only in the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa. More than 135 bird species have been recorded. Guided forest walks with community rangers track the primate troops through the canopy, night walks look for bushbabies and the pygmy hippo trails along the water, and boat trips circle the island on the Moa River. The sanctuary is run by the Environmental Foundation for Africa with eight surrounding villages, and every visitor fee feeds a community development fund, so a stay here directly funds the forest's protection. You sleep in simple raised tents in the rainforest, the nights loud with insects and frogs. For raw Upper Guinea rainforest and primates at close range, Tiwai has no equal in the country.
Best months
The camp and trails are best from November to May in the dry season, when the forest paths are passable and river levels are lower; the June to October rains can flood approaches and make the crossing harder, though the forest is at its greenest. Wildlife walks are led by community rangers and go at dawn and dusk when primates are active, with optional night walks for the pygmy hippo and bushbabies. Sightings are wild and not guaranteed, but the primate density here is exceptional. Accommodation is basic raised tents.
Getting there & around
Tiwai lies in southern Sierra Leone, roughly a five to seven hour drive from Freetown via Bo, then a final stretch of rough road to the Moa River landing and a short dugout or boat crossing to the island. Most visitors come on a two or three night trip and arrange transfers and the crossing in advance through the camp, since public transport does not reach the landing. Bring cash, a torch, insect repellent and a light sleeping layer. The camp is basic tented platforms with shared facilities and simple meals; book ahead, as capacity is small.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate
Schools & guides (1)
Environmental Foundation for Africa
OutfitterThe Environmental Foundation for Africa is the Sierra Leonean conservation NGO that manages Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. It runs the island's tented ecotourism camp, trains the community rangers who lead the primate and pygmy-hippo forest walks and Moa River boat trips, and puts all tourism revenue into a development fund shared by eight host villages. Tiwai holds eleven primate species and 135-plus bird species, and EFA lodged its UNESCO World Heritage dossier in 2024.