The Western Area Peninsula and the adjacent Banana Islands have lush rainforest, pristine beaches and breath-taking steep mountains, unique and long-standing culture, and great history. The Western Area Peninsula, which is part of the Upper Guinean Forest Ecosystem, is located on the west coast of the country and is home to roughly 1 to 1. 5 million people (20% of the country’s total population).

This reserve is probably the westernmost remnant of the West African rain forest. Its fauna and flora are rich and are more affected by seasonal changes than those of the lowland forests in the east. Its situation close to Freetown presents particular threats, but also great opportunities for education and ecotourism.

The area forms the only remnant of moist closed forest remaining in western Sierra Leone (and probably the westernmost in the Upper Guinea forest block). Between 150 m and 900 m, the hills are covered by moist forest, whilst along the coastal strip, the forest vegetation is interrupted by laterite plains covered by natural grassland. The relief is generally fairly steep and the hills are drained by a number of rocky permanent or seasonally flowing streams. The reserve supports two major reservoirs (the Guma Valley and Congo dams) that supply water to Freetown and other communities around the peninsula. Annual rainfall ranges from 3000-7000 mm. mean daily temperatures vary from 25-30 0C in the dry season and 22-27 0C in the rainy season. Relative humidity at 1500h varies between 45% and 80% annually.

The Guma Trail, starting from the Guma dam, is the most frequently used by visitors and provides some opportunities for birding and wildlife. Yawri Bay on the southern coast and Sierra Leone River estuary on the northern coast, are within 40km and 10km respectively.

Size of Western Area Peninsula National park

Western Area Peninsula National Park is a protected area in Sierra Leone. It covers an area of 183.37 km².

Location of Western Area Peninsula National park

This forest reserve is located on the hills of the Western Area Peninsula, on the extreme western edge of the country, about 5 km south of the capital Freetown. The WAPF occupies a narrow chain of hills approximately 37 km long and 14 km wide, with a range of peaks, the highest being Picket Hill in the south, which rises to about 900m. A thin coastal strip lines the peninsula to the north, west, and south.

How to get to Western Area Peninsula National park

Western Area Peninsula National park is located about 35 km from the main capital Freetown and by road, you can drive using a 4×4 and the trip will take about an hour.

Things to do in Western Area Peninsula National park

Birding tours

A total of 374 species including occasional vagrants and migrants that visit water bodies within the forest have so far been recorded. Two threatened species -White-necked Rockfowl (Vu) and Green-tailed Bristle bill (Vu) – and three near-threatened species occur. A population survey of the White-necked Rockfowl carried out in 1992, as part of a detailed study of the ecology and breeding biology of this species discovered four active colonies containing eight nesting sites (Thompson 1993; Thompson 1997).

Wildlife encounters

Over 50 species of mammals have been recorded, of which seven species are primates, five of which are threatened – Western chimpanzee (En), Red Colobus monkey (Vu), Black-and-White Colobus Monkey, Sooty Mangabey (NT), and Diana monkey (Vu). Other threatened mammals include Leopard (Vu), Jentink’s Duiker (Vu), Black Duiker (NT), and Maxwell Duiker (NT). An endemic toad Cardioglosus Aureolli occurs.

When to visit the Western Area Peninsula National park

October to July is the best time to visit the Western Area Peninsula National park with less rainfall hiking is much easier in the forest.

Where to stay in Western Area Peninsula National park

The reserve is within 5 km of the center of the capital Freetown. A motor worth road runs right around the reserve, with a number of feeder roads and a few trails within reserve zones. Hotels and beach bars are found on extensive scenic beaches around the coastal areas of the peninsular.