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 in 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 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 organizes 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 given the opportunity to get a first hand experience of the rejuvenating impact of nature, 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 of all 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 cost, to ensure a greener, cleaner, more sustainable nation.
Efforts of the European Union (EU) and Tacugama for supporting the OKKPS Project. According to the section chief, since the 1980s, they have never benefited from any conservation programs making this OKKPS project implemented by Tacugama and supported by the EU, the first.
According to Pa Alimamy Foday, they are ready to help the project for the protection of the Kuru Landscape since they are part of the Kuru hills section, and as an authority, ‘’I will make sure that we succeed in market gardening’’. The Mammy Mariama Bangura, the chairlady from Kambaya community, said that, they were very happy and excited with the sustainable alternative livelihood support especially the vegetable garden activity which means farming is their predominant
llivelihood activities in Tambaka Chiefdom. Mamy Mariama continued to say that all the community members especially women are ready to support Tacugama as they depend on farming as their main livelihood activity. Due to more support and inclusiveness of the various communities, most of them have started their brushing and clearing of the nursing site, which is the primary step of vegetable gardening.
In early 2023, Tacugama provided training for the economic interest group on preparation of compost manure, which will now be used on their vegetable garden instead of using fertilizer which is very costly and harmful to the soil and environment. This encourages a more regenerative and organic farming approach.
At the end of the engagement, Mr. Lansana Bangura the youth leader in the Kambaya Community said, it is better to engage in agriculture activities because it will increase foods and income for the entire community. On behalf of the community, Mr. Bangura said that they will continue to welcome Tacugama’s initiatives so that they can achieve their goals and the community can continue to prosper.
