Originally established as a chimpanzee sanctuary, Tacugama has grown to become much more than just a sanctuary. Founded in 1995, Tacugama has played a significant role in putting Sierra Leone on the map, having been featured on global television networks like CNN and Aljazeera, Tacugama’s work spans far beyond the borders of Sierra Leone, reaching people on all the continents, with the help of robust social media campaigns.
Tacugama is Sierra Leone’s number one tourist location on Trip Advisor, attracting people from across the world to come to experience the serene natural beauty that Sierra Leone has to offer. Tacugama has grown into an ecotourism hub, offering immersive sanctuary tours, scenic hikes, bird-watching tours, and waterfall visits.
Nestled within the Western Area Peninsula National Park, Tacugama also offers accommodation for those seeking a break from the bustling city life. Anyone seeking an escape from the constant honking, shouting and engine sounds that surround the city can find the perfect escape in one of Tacugama’s six eco-lodges, offering a uniquely immersive experience of the forest. Eco-lodge guests do not just enjoy the sublime regenerative effects of the forest, but also our culinary delights; food might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tacugama, but once you have a bite of anything prepared by the sanctuary’s culinary masterminds, you will want to return for a couple more plates. Added to these, Tacugama also organises special events that attract a diverse range of attendees; one such event is the renowned Jazz Night, which is usually a major success, with the most recent edition seeing performances by some of Sierra Leone’s unique musical creatives, from the Telem musical movement.
Tacugama utilizes key elements of ecotourism to introduce Sierra Leoneans to the rich biodiversity that the country has to offer, while also encouraging them to get engaged in the fight against the unsustainable practices that continue to pose a serious threat to the country’s natural heritage. The journey to a greener, more sustainable Sierra Leone, starts with the deliberate effort of Sierra Leoneans, regardless of how small the effort might be.
Through Tacugama’s ecotourism efforts, Sierra Leoneans are allowed to get a first-hand experience of the rejuvenating impact of nature, and its ability to unclog the mind and foster relaxation. Countries like Rwanda and Costa Rica have utilized their ecotourism potential to boost economic development. With the right management and strategy, Sierra Leone could also utilise the multi-trillion dollar tourism industry to foster economic growth and national development.
However, for Sierra Leone to benefit from our immense tourism potential, we must first protect our natural heritage, ensure we engage in sustainable consumption, and prioritize collaboration between conservation organizations like Tacugama, Government agencies, the private sector and international sponsors. If Sierra Leone is to benefit from its natural treasures, those treasures need to be protected at all costs, to ensure a greener, cleaner, more sustainable nation.
