National park · Sierra Leone
Tiwai IslandĐảo Tiwai
Visit Tiwai Island for 2 days: take a guided walk (Le30‑100) early in the dry season (Dec‑Apr) and stay at the Visitors Centre dorm (US$15‑25).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Nov–Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Sierra Leone ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Sierra Leone government sources before booking.
- Sierra Leone ↗Book the Lungi–Freetown crossing (water taxi or ferry) before you land, and check how the operator handles late arrivals.
At a glance
- Country
- Sierra Leone
- Area
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- Area is about 12 km² (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Nov–Dec
- Permits
- Not needed
Tiwai Island is a river island wildlife sanctuary in Sierra Leone, part of the Upper Guinea rainforest, home to pygmy hippopotami, chimpanzees and over 100 bird species, and listed as a UNESCO natural site in 2025.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2025Listed together with Gola Rainforest National Park.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1987
Area is about 12 km² (check).
Why go
- See pygmy hippopotami, chimpanzees and a high diversity of birds in a remaining Upper Guinea rainforest.
- Guided walks range from short beach strolls to longer forest treks, all led by local rangers.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry season, good wildlife viewing.
- FebDry, comfortable temperatures.
- MarDry, still warm.
- AprEnd of dry season, low rain.
- MayRainy season begins.
- JunFrequent rain, trails muddy.
- JulRainy, river levels high.
- AugRainy, possible access issues.
- SepRainy, wildlife still active.
- OctRainy, roads may be difficult.
- NovTransition to dry, fewer crowds.
- DecDry, cool, ideal for walks.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pygmy hippopotamusAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ChimpanzeesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 100 bird speciesMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Freetown
Hire a 4WD and driver, drive ~200 km (124 mi) south to Potoru, then board a boat to the island.Hire a 4WD and driver, drive ~124 mi (200 km) south to Potoru, then board a boat to the island.
4–5 h total
Open the page →
From Bo
Hire 4WD, drive south to Potoru (≈150 km (93 mi)), then boat.Hire 4WD, drive south to Potoru (≈93 mi (150 km)), then boat.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors Centre | Main gate, dorms, information desk, short forest trails. | Open to all visitors. |
| Beach area (north end) | Sandy beach, otter sightings. | Free access from centre. |
| River tour launch site | Dock for canoe and speed‑boat trips. | Paid tours only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the island centre from Wikidata; positions of beach and gate are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided walk (short or long) | SLE 30–100 | person | Le30‑100 per person depending on walk length. |
| River tour – canoe | SLE 100 | person | Le100 per person. |
| River tour – speed boat | SLE 600 | person | Le600 per person. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- SLE 30–100
- SLE 100
- SLE 600
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tiwai Island official site before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins on the island.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited.
- Guides
- Guided walks recommended for longer treks; not mandatory for short walks.
Where to stay
In the park
Visitors Centre dorms
Dorms US$15/night (Sierra Leoneans) or US$25/night (others).
In the park
Visitors Centre single rooms
US$25/night (Sierra Leoneans) or US$35/night (others).
In the park
Research Lodge
Dorms US$25/night; single rooms US$35/night.
Safety
Malaria medium
River currents low
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitors Centre reachable by 4WD; short walks are level but some forest paths can be uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Bring your own food and water; island supplies are limited.
- Support local villages by buying crafts and using village cultural tours.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tiwai Island?
There is no fixed entry fee; you pay for activities such as guided walks (Le30‑100 per person) or river tours (Le100‑600).
What are the best hikes in Tiwai Island?
Short forest walk (1–2 h) and the longer forest trek (4–5 h) are both led by guides and cost Le30‑100 per person.
When is the best time to visit Tiwai Island?
The dry season (Dec‑Apr) offers the best wildlife viewing; November is also popular as the transition month.
Where can I stay on Tiwai Island?
Dorms and single rooms are available at the Visitors Centre (US$15‑35/night) and at the Research Lodge (US$25‑35/night).
How do I get to Tiwai Island?
Hire a 4WD from Freetown or Bo, drive to Potoru, then take a boat transfer to the island.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Tiwai Island
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