Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

At Boabeng and Fiema, two villages a couple of kilometres apart, the black and white colobus and the mona monkeys living in the surrounding forest are regarded as sacred, protected by a taboo dating back at least to the eighteenth century that forbids killing or harming them, and enforced by community rules rather than by state law. The monkeys move freely through the villages and the forest, and are habituated to people. Dead monkeys are given funerals and buried in a dedicated cemetery in the forest, which guides show visitors. A community project formalised the arrangement, with a visitor centre, guided walks and a simple guesthouse, and revenue supports the two villages.

What you actually see

• Colobus monkeys - the black and white troops in the forest canopy.
• Mona monkeys - the more habituated species around the villages.
• The monkey cemetery - the burial ground in the forest.
• Village and forest - the monkeys moving between the two.

When to go

November to March in the dry season for the easiest walking. Early morning and late afternoon are when monkeys are most active and visible. Midday sightings are poorer.

Honest expectations

Mona monkeys are habituated and approach for food, which is discouraged but common; colobus stay high in the canopy and are harder to see. The forest patch is small. Facilities and the guesthouse are basic. Fees include separate charges for cameras.

Nearby

Nkoranza lies southwest; Tano Boase is south.