10 Days Blue Lake Harbel Monrovia Adventure Safari

10 Days Blue Lake Harbel Monrovia Adventure Safari

Liberia safari trips are getting more and more popular as the word spreads. The Sapo National Park is the place to be in Liberia to see wildlife in its natural habitat. It is rainforest-covered and full of animals including several species of monkeys, chimpanzees, elephants, and the endangered pygmy hippos.

Safari highlights

• City tours
• Sightseeing
• Waterfall hikes
• Chimpanzee visits
• Hiking and adventure activities

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Monrovia

Arrival in Liberia, after immigration procedures, welcome to Liberia. You will enter into the oldest African Republic declaring independence in 1847 after fiercely resisting colonization by foreign powers. We get the opportunity to discover its unparalleled history and magnificent culture. On arrival at Roberts International Airport, a representative from Jos Travel will meet and greet you after customs and assist with your transfer to the city of Monrovia. Our tour guide and driver will await your arrival to transfer you to your hotel. Free leisure to sleep and rest. Overnight at Cape Hotel or Similar, Monrovia.

Day 2: Explore Monrovia

After breakfast, we begin to explore Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. We will discover some of Liberia’s historical past. The first stop is at the peak of Monrovia on Ducor Hill with the monument of Liberia’s first president-elect, Joseph Jenkins Roberts. The viewing of the once glorious Ducor Intercontinental Palace Hotel ruins and enjoying the panoramic view of the Atlantic from the top. At the hilltop also lies a canon used by Matilda Newport to fend off the aggressors of Liberia. Next will be a visit to the jammed-packed waterside market and the slum community of West Point. Canoe ride to tour the Providence Island that is the landing ground of Liberia’s founding fathers, and it still holds artifacts and relics from the settlers and a well that was dug in the 1800s. Providence Baptist Church – the cornerstone of Liberia is the next step to dive into the formation of what is presently known as Liberia the oldest African republic today. Tour the Centennial Pavilion that was built to mark the 100 years of melodious independence that the nation had enjoyed uninterrupted. Liberia National Museum holds to the history of the country’s linage that dates as far back as 1820. Visitation to Parliament Building to get an understanding of how the Legislative branch of the Liberian government functions. Visit the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism. Visit Capitol Hill campus of the University of Liberia established as Liberia College in 1862. Finally, visit the local arts and craft market for an evening of shopping. Transfer to accommodation.  Overnight at Cape Hotel or Similar, Monrovia.

Day 3: Monrovia – gbarnga – Gboata – Kpatawee 

After breakfast, drive to Gbarnga the capital City of Bong County, lying northeast of Monrovia. During the Liberian Civil War, it was the base for Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia. We will visit Tribal villages to learn about the cultural history and archaeological imprint of the Kpelle, Mano, and Bassa tribes in the county. First, we enjoy a tour of Cuttington University; The Cornerstone of Tertiary Education in Africa. After, visit Mama and Baba Shabu arts and crafts center for morning lessons in traditional Liberian arts. The next stop is Gboata Magical Fish Village – A Traditional Mystery. “As crops from farms on both sides of the water overgrew into the Kponkor Creek. It was difficult to distinguish who owned what portion. As a result, a covenant was reached among the towns that the water would be kept sacred and untouchable by anyone especially the fish since they could not find an amicable solution, according to elders in Gboata Town – the host of the magical fish along the Gbarnga-Ganta Highway. Since then, the elders say, it became a generally accepted traditional law from generation to generation. The traditional sacredness of the fish makes it an abomination for anyone particularly childbearing women to eat it. Kpolokegekor is the name of one of the fishes. Each of the fish has traditional symbols.” It looks like water but it’s a town. Our ancestors live there,” one elder to Jos Travel Exhibit magazine in an exclusive interview. (Source: Liberia Exhibit Issue 3) Drive to Kpatawee Waterfall – the Waterfall is a pretty picnic and swimming destination. At the heart of Bong in Suakoko District, sits Kpatawee Waterfalls, a natural wonder of slimmest paths of segregating streams from plummeting valleys on the Mein River. The hidden ecotourism attraction holds a tempting potential and is managed by the local community. Being enclosed by a dense forest, Kpatawee Waterfalls possess an attractive combination of natural beauty and local friendliness. Two cascades exist, the smaller being the closest to the road and the larger one reachable by roughly an hour of trekking. Enjoy the scenic view of the falls and indulge in swimming and other activities. Transfer to accommodation. Overnight at Passion Hotel or Similar, Gbarnga.

Day 4: Gbarnga – Ganta – Yekepa

After breakfast, visit Redemire in Gbarnga to see their small-scale chocolate production that is fuelled by social entrepreneurship. Drive to Nimba County in northeastern Liberia that shares borders with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in the East and the Republic of Guinea in the North. Its capital city is Sanniquellie and its most populous city is Ganta. Ganta, also known as Gompa City is located south of the Guinea border. It is the second-most populous city in Liberia. While in Ganta we will visit the Liberia – Guinea Border before driving to Sanniquellie City, Nimba County. Sanniquellie is a city and the capital of Nimba County and Sanniquellie-Mahn District, Liberia. It is located in the northeast of the country. The average altitude of the city is 420 meters above sea level. It is known as the birthplace of O.A.U commemorating the efforts of the three founding fathers of a pan African alliance (William V.S Tubman of Liberia, Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea, and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana). (45 minutes stop – Tour Break) – Visitation to the cornerstone of O.A.U. Drive to Yekepa, Nimba County. Yekepa is a town in northern Nimba County in Liberia, lying near the Guinean border. It was the base for LAMCO’s iron ore mining operation until it was destroyed in the First Liberian Civil War which lasted from 1989 to 1997. During the late 1950s, iron ore was found in “the Iron Mountain” Mount Nimba. In a joint venture among the Liberian Government, US Bethlehem Steel, and the Swedish mining company Gränges, a huge project was set up: LAMCO-the Liberian-American Swedish Mining Company. The project contributed to economic and social development in Liberia for 30 years. It built the necessary infrastructure and operated mining, transporting ore by rail to the port of Buchanan, from where it was exported to other markets. The main ethnic groups in Nimba County are the Dan, also known as Gio, and the Mano. The Dan, commonly known as the Gio, lives closer to the Cote d’Ivoire border and the Mano live closer to Guinea. Transfer to accommodation. Overnight at Alvino Hotel or Similar, Yekepa.

Day 5: Explore Yekepa

After breakfast, hike to Summit of East Nimba Nature Reserve, Nimba County, The East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) was established on October 10th, 2003, and covers an area of 11,553 Hectares Located in the North of Liberia, the Reserve borders both Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire and covers much of Liberia’s share of the Mount Nimba Mountain Range. The Mount Nimba Range is recognized for its high animal and plant species diversity and is considered both internationally and nationally an area of highest conservation importance. At the same time, however, the Range is also known for its high-quality iron ore deposits, resulting in high levels of extraction especially in the second half of the 20th century, accompanied by serious environmental destruction, including mountaintop removal, road construction, and forest clearing. In ENNR, you can still see those past impacts today, for example, the Blue Lake and its surrounding terraces. Since its establishment, ENNR is acknowledged as a fully Protected Area under Liberian law, and although it lies within ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) iron ore concession area, the company recognizes its status and no mining takes place within ENNR today. The Reserve continues to protect both lowland and submontane forests and forms a stronghold for a number of endangered and endemic species, including the West African Chimpanzee, Jentink’s Duiker, Leopard, Nimba Otter Shrew, Bare-headed Rockfowl, Nimba Flycatcher, and the viviparous Nimba Toad. (Source: Fauna and Flora). Tour of the East Nimba Nature Reserve Mountains, Lake, and Waterfall. Picnic on the Mountain in the reserve. Hike down the Summit of East Nimba Nature Reserve, for evening relaxation/clubbing in Yekepa.  Overnight at Alvino Hotel or Similar, Yekepa.

Day 6: Explore Yekepa – Edina – Buchanan

After Breakfast, morning departure from Yekepa, Nimba County to Buchanan, in Grand Bassa is the oldest city in Liberia and a member of the elite group of three original founding counties (Grand Bassa, Sinoe & Montserrado). After arrival, visit Buchanan and a short canoe ride to Edina – This city has century’s old artifacts and remnants that date back to 1820 and the oldest church was also built-in 1820. The landing-site of the 9 representatives that came to Liberia to scout suitable land for settlement of repatriated American slaves. Transfer to accommodation. Overnight at Hotel Buchanan or Similar, Buchanan.

Day 7: Buchanan – Harbel – Charlesville – Marshal 

After breakfast, drive to Harbel and visit the second largest rubber plantation in the world (Firestone) covering, 400 000 hectares, created in 1926 and watch the tappers extract latex from trees skillfully. Lunch on the deck of the clubhouse overlooking the vast golf course or indulge in a game of golf. Drive to Charlesville to take a boat cruise to the Chimpanzee Islands sanctuary and have a chance to view chimpanzees feeding. This is home to the six (6) Islands where more than sixty (60) chimps permanently live. Take a glimpse into their world of anguish from a safe distance as they roam free on the island’s edge. Watch on as they welcome you and harmlessly extend their gratitude for your visitation. You will also be treated to sights of birds, and photographic opportunities. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you will be directed to our visitor’s center where you will be introduced to the project, its history, our residents, and their plight. You will receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view the feeding of the chimpanzees. During your visit, you will experience: chimpanzee viewing & feeding, bird watching, experiencing other wildlife encounters, visiting a neighboring fishing village, or simply sunbathing and relaxing. Our day visitors can also ‘get their hands dirty by being part of the feeding team. This is an opportunity for you to feed the chimpanzees from the boat. On top of being able to feed your favorite chimp, you will also watch as the chimps excitedly try and gain your attention to receive food. Drive to Marshall in Margibi County for viewing of the city and exploring the remnants of American influence in Liberia. Take a tour of Marshall City which is engulfed by various lagoons, and a bay where three rivers converge and flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Transfer to accommodation.  Overnight at Libassa Eco lodge or Similar, Marshall.

Day 8: Marshall – Oau – Demen – Blue Lake

After breakfast, we will leave Marshall. Make a brief stop at the O.A.U village to view the ruins of Hotel Africa, the conference center built specifically to host the conference to discuss the liberation and cooperation of Africa by African leaders. After, we enjoy a drive through the Liberian countryside to visit the Bai T. Moore Village in Bomi County for a unique look into village life. Learn about the history and cultural heritage of one of Liberia’s most prominent writers Bai T. Moore, while listening to selected readings from his poetry and his most famous story, a Liberian Romeo and Juliet story, Murder in the Cassava Patch. Take a short tour of the village and enjoy an entertaining cultural dance and drum performance. We travel to Blue Lake in Tubmanburg, Bomi County to visit and swim in the manmade lake created as a result of iron ore mining. The lake which is approximately 100 meters deep is suspended midway between the peaks of surrounding mountains. After sunset, transfer to accommodation.  Overnight at Sea Monkey Resort or Similar, Robertsport.

Day 9: Robertsport  

After breakfast, tour Robertsport, a city previously settled by African American freed slaves and was later an allied forces air base in World War 2, Lunch and evening relaxation at the pool, on the beach, or around the campfire. We spend the morning around Robertsport taking 3-4 hours walking tour. We will visit the fishery, historical sites, architectures, artifacts, churches, and the abandoned African Centre of Culture. Return to our accommodation for lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure or taking optional surf lessons.  Overnight at Sea Monkey Resort or Similar, Robertsport.

Day 10: Robertsport – bo/ waterside 

After breakfast, early morning transfer from Robertsport to Liberia-Sierra Leone Border. After Immigration and Customs formalities, we transfer to Sierra Leonean tour operator to continue.

***tour ends***

Price Includes:  Meet and assist on arriving and departure   Accommodation & Breakfast – Standard hotels rooms with private facilities   Vehicle & Fuel for all ground transport according to the itinerary  Local English/French-speaking tour guide / tour-leader  All Entrance fees, Sightseeing, Guidance  Liberian Entry Visa.

Rates for above mentioned itinerary: 2 PAX 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on twin sharing basis USD 2,300.00 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on single basis USD 2,730.00

4 PAX 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on twin sharing basis USD 2,150.00 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on single basis USD 2,325.00

6 PAX 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on twin sharing basis USD 1,700.00 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on single basis USD 1,925.00

8 PAX 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on twin sharing basis USD 1,675.00 9 Nights / 10 days USD per person on single basis USD 1,875.00