Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary is a community-based ecotourism site in the Volta Region of Ghana, home to the sacred Mona monkeys that roam freely and interact with visitors. The sanctuary is located approximately 30 kilometers from Wli Waterfalls and offers guided tours where visitors can feed and observe the monkeys in their natural habitat. It is managed by the local community and serves as both a conservation project and a source of sustainable income for the village of Tafi Atome.
Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary is a pioneering community-based ecotourism project in the Volta Region, established in 1993 to protect the sacred Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) that have coexisted with the village for centuries. The sanctuary spans approximately 28 hectares of sacred forest where over 500 monkeys roam freely and have become habituated to human presence, allowing for close-up interactions and feeding experiences. It serves as a model for sustainable tourism in Ghana, generating revenue for the Tafi Atome community while preserving both wildlife and traditional cultural beliefs.
The Mona monkeys have been considered sacred by the people of Tafi Atome for generations, protected under traditional taboos that forbid hunting or harming them. In 1993, with support from Ghanaian and international conservation organizations including Peace Corps volunteers and the NGO Earthwatch, the community formalized the sanctuary to promote eco-tourism and wildlife conservation. The project transformed the relationship between villagers and monkeys from spiritual coexistence into an economic opportunity while maintaining the cultural reverence for these primates.
The sanctuary is accessible by road from Hohoe (about 30 minutes drive) or as a day trip from Ho, the Volta Regional capital. Guided tours typically last 1-2 hours and include forest walks where visitors can feed and photograph the monkeys; tours are conducted daily and visitors should register at the community visitor center upon arrival. Basic guesthouse accommodation is available in the village for overnight stays, and it is recommended to visit in the morning or late afternoon when monkeys are most active.
The Mona monkeys at Tafi Atome are so habituated to humans that they will gently climb onto visitors' shoulders and arms to take bananas directly from their hands, creating memorable photo opportunities while demonstrating one of Africa's most successful examples of human-wildlife coexistence through traditional spiritual beliefs.
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