Gola-Tiwai complex
Gola-Tiwai complex is part of the Tentative list of Sierra Leone in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
The Gola Forest represents Upper Guinea tropical forest with many endemic plant species. Notable mammals that live here include pygmy hippopotamus, African forest elephant, zebra duiker chimpanzee, Diana monkey and western red colobus. Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary protects endangered, rare and endemic mammals such as the pygmy hippo, chimpanzee and over 40 species of bats. It is is located in the Upper Guinea Rainforest, a humid, tropical lowland ecosystem. The island is 12 square km large.
Map of Gola-Tiwai complex
Load mapThe coordinates shown for all tentative sites were produced as a community effort. They are not official and may change on inscription.
Community Reviews
Bill Maurmann
I visited Tiwai Island on a Lupine Travels tour in June 2023. The intent was to stay overnight at a community center dormitory in the middle of the island. Rugged road going in. Vehicle was parked and local guides loaded our luggage onto small boats. We drifted downriver about ten minutes before banking on the opposite shore. We followed a short trail to the center where we had dinner, were entertained by locals doing traditional dances and a role play involving a demon. The next morning a guide took us through island trails. The jungle was dense. Most impressive vegetation were the banyan trees. We didn’t see any animals other than a large impressive spider, but there were plenty of birds.
Site Info
- Full Name
- Gola-Tiwai complex
- Country
- Sierra Leone
- Added
- 2022
- Nominated for
- 2025
- Type
- Natural
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Forest
- Link
- By ID
Site History
2022 Revision
Successor to the TWHS of Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Gola Rainforest National Park (both 2012)
2022 Added to Tentative List
Site Links
Locations
The site has 4 locations
Visitors
5 Community Members have visited.