Taï National Park

For the national park in South Island, see Westland Tai Poutini National Park

Taï National Park is in Côte d'Ivoire, in the southwest of the country about 100 km in from the coast and near the Liberian border.

It is a large park at 4,540 km² (1770 sq mi), containing tropical evergreen forest. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the world's largest protected areas of virgin rainforest and has very diverse flora and fauna.

Understand

Climate

Tropical, with dry and wet seasons. Don't come here in the rainy season.

Get in

There are two entry points into the park: the villages of Tai and Niebe. Nobody can enter the park on his own, since it is a protected area. In Tai, there is an NGO which runs a camp inside the park. The camp is primarily a base for observing the primate populations, but they can accommodate a small number of visitors. They charge 150,000 CFA for a 2-night stay for one person, including transportation, meals and the permit required. The experience is really unique. The staff responsible for monitoring the monkeys will take you with them when they do their work, and answer your questions.

The other camp is accessible from Niebe. It used to be run by the government, but was privatized and is now even more expensive than the one near Tai.

Tai and Niebe can only be reached on an unpaved road from Guiglo in the north or Tabou in the south. Tai is 3-4 hours from Guiglo.

Fees and permits

Permits are easily arranged by the organization that provides your trip. The fee is 15,000 CFA per person per day, which is usually included in the price.

Sleep

Lodging

In Tai village, Hotel Beau Sejour (6,000 CFA for a fan room) is quite ok. There are other hotels, but no luxury available.

Stay safe

This forest area is a natural reservoir of the Ebola virus. This is spread by contact with excretions or bodily fluids of infected animals or humans and the main defense is rigorous hygiene. As of 2022, three vaccines have been approved for humans. Consult a doctor for details if planning a trip.