One of West Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots, Gola Forest Reserve straddles Sierra Leone’s  border with Liberia, just east of Kenema.

Spanning some 350,000 hectares, Gola Forest is the largest-remaining block of Upper Guinean Forest and home to 49 mammal species, including the pygmy hippo and forest elephant, 327 bird species, including the Nimba flycatcher and Gola Malimbe, and over 200 species of tree.

Most notably, this rich rain forest also provides sanctuary for the world’s second-largest population of the Western chimpanzee, as well as over 60 globally threatened species such as the western colobus monkey, zebra duiker and rufous fishing-owl.

Guided tours can be arranged for visitors with special interests, such as bird watching, amateur botany, or simply nature enthusiasts who love the outdoors.