AFRICA SIERRA LEONE
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WILD AT HEART —
A revitalised and vibrant Sierra Leone is hoping to entice visitors with a responsible tourism focus, discovers Karl Cushing
C
radled feet away in the arms of Mama P, his surrogate human mother, Caesar the baby chimp toys with his tuſty hair before
casting me a stare so cute my heart squeaks. This being Sierra Leone’s Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, though, home to 89 orphaned chimps, such arresting interactions come served with a healthy dollop of education. Aram Kazandjian, Tacugama’s manager, and
his team work tirelessly to protect the critically endangered western chimpanzee, from establishing new reserves and “wildlife corridors” to tackling bushmeat poaching. The sanctuary is in the vanguard of attempts to
develop responsible tourism following the Ebola epidemic of 2014 and earlier civil war. To raise funds, it offers packages in homely lodges, plus activities such as yoga weekends and film nights.
ANIMAL APPEAL Natural treasures feature highly – not least the birdlife. Salone, as the country is nicknamed, is home to 640 recorded species. Top spots
include Gola Rainforest national park – where I keep an eye out for sooty mangabey monkeys, forest elephants and birds including white- necked picathartes – while the park also offers chocolate production tours and a new hiking and biking trail. Salone’s dreamy coastline is another highlight,
even in frenetic capital Freetown where I retreat to tourist-friendly Lumley Beach, a great spot to grab a sundowner at a beachside bar. I come away loving the place. But it won’t suit
everyone, not least first-time Africa visitors set on easy wildlife viewing or ticking off the Big Five. Similarly, luxury-lovers are unlikely to be impressed by the accommodation in remote areas such as Tiwai. But for nature and culture-loving travellers
seeking authentic experiences and meaningful local interactions in the real Africa, though, it could well be time to get Sierra-ous.
The National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone is exhibiting on stand AF350
64 WTM OFFICIAL EVENT DAILY 05.11.2019
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