Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
CommunitiesTiwai Island is surrounded by eight communities that are split into two different districts; the first is located in the Kenema District (Koya Chiefdom) including Mapuma, Ngjema and Segbema.
The second is located in the Pujehun District (Barri Chiefdom) and includes Kambama, Sahun, Naihun, Jenneh and Boma.These communities help to run Tiwai Island for visitors, and revenue from tourism is an important part of the local economy. Visitors to Tiwai Island can also arrange to visit some of the host communities, to learn more about local traditions and culture.
The majority of the surrounding population are farmers, growing rice, groundnut (peanut), beans and cassava. Additional roles of the community are security for the Tiwai Island, helping to protect the island and its wildlife from poachers, and supporting the day-to-day running of the ‘Research Centre’ on the Island and the visitor centre.