After months of uncertainty, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has officially reopened its doors to visitors as of November 1, 2025 — marking a powerful moment of resilience for one of Sierra Leone’s most beloved conservation sites.
The sanctuary, along with its eco-lodges and network of hiking trails, is once again welcoming guests eager to reconnect with nature and learn about the country’s unique wildlife. The reopening follows a challenging closure period earlier this year, when Tacugama was forced to suspend operations in response to illegal land-grabbing that threatened the sanctuary and the surrounding forests of the Western Area Peninsula National Park.
“This closure was never a choice,” the Tacugama team shared. “It was an act of protection — a stand against the destruction of the forest and the precious wildlife it shelters.”
During the closure, the sanctuary faced significant financial strain and uncertainty for both staff and community programs. Yet through perseverance, advocacy, and broad support from conservation partners and friends around the world, Tacugama’s team remained steadfast in its mission.
Following months of dialogue with national authorities, the Government of Sierra Leone and relevant ministries have provided assurances to halt illegal activities in the park and uphold its protected status — paving the way for Tacugama’s return.
With the sanctuary now fully operational, Tacugama has paired its reopening with an ambitious new initiative: the launch of a 100,000-tree reforestation project in collaboration with UNDP Sierra Leone, the Global Environment Facility, and the Ministry of Environment.
The project aims to restore critical forest cover across the Western Area Peninsula National Park, strengthening ecosystems, protecting water sources, and building climate resilience for nearby communities — all through a community-driven approach. Local residents, Roots & Shoots clubs, schoolchildren, and Tacugama staff have already begun planting trees side by side in an inspiring act of environmental renewal.
As the forest begins to regrow, the sanctuary stands as a symbol of determination and hope.
“We can’t thank our supporters enough,” Tacugama shared. “You have shown that together, we are stronger than any challenge. Tacugama is back — and the forest is coming alive again.”
