Taï National Park

Taï National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the largest remaining tract of primary tropical rainforest in West Africa. Covering over 5300 square kilometres in southwestern Ivory Coast the park harbours an extraordinary biodiversity including habituated chimpanzee communities that have been the subject of groundbreaking research by the Max Planck Institute. The park supports populations of pygmy hippo — one of the world’s rarest large mammals — alongside forest elephants, leopard, 11 primate species, and over 250 bird species. The research chimpanzee communities are famous for their unique tool-using behaviours including nut-cracking with stone hammers — a cultural tradition passed down through generations. Taï’s dense canopy and limited infrastructure make this a challenging but profoundly rewarding destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The park is best visited with specialist guides from the research station who can locate the habituated chimpanzee groups.