Bono East Region: Boabeng-Fiema's Sacred Monkey Sanctuary
The Bono East Region's signature attraction is the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, home to around 700 monkeys living alongside residents who consider them sacred. Techiman, the regional capital, is known for its major markets, while Nkoranza remains a stronghold of traditional religion.
Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
Boabeng-Fiema is home to roughly 700 colobus and mona monkeys, protected from hunters for generations by strong religious taboos rather than formal conservation law alone. The village community is a genuinely rare example of monkeys and people living together by choice — residents leave food outside their homes for the animals, and the monkeys, in turn, see humans as familiar rather than threatening. Forest trails are available with a knowledgeable local guide for a deeper walk through the sanctuary.
Techiman's markets
Techiman is known for one of the largest and most important markets in this part of Ghana, a genuine hub of regional trade rather than a tourist attraction in the conventional sense — worth a stop for visitors interested in everyday Ghanaian commerce at scale.
Nkoranza and traditional religion
Nkoranza remains a stronghold of traditional religion in the area, with an old shrine in the rocks at nearby Forikrom, a few miles outside Techiman. The town also hosts community-supported guesthouse accommodation benefiting a local residential community for children, run with the help of international volunteers.
A region at the edge of forest and savanna
Bono East sits at a natural transition point between Ghana's forested south and the savanna zones further north, giving it a distinct ecological character that supports both the forest-dwelling monkeys at Boabeng-Fiema and the wider agricultural land the region is known for.
Getting there
Techiman and the Boabeng-Fiema sanctuary are reached via routes from Kumasi, making this region a natural addition to a longer central-to-northern Ghana itinerary rather than a standalone destination.
Best time to visit
Boabeng-Fiema is a comfortable year-round visit given its forest setting, though the dry season (November-March) makes the walking trails considerably easier underfoot.
Getting there from Accra
Techiman and Boabeng-Fiema are reached via Kumasi, roughly 1-2 hours further north. This fits naturally into a longer Ashanti-to-northern-Ghana route, which we can arrange as part of a custom multi-day itinerary.
Bono East Region Tourist Attractions — FAQ
Roughly 700, a mix of colobus and mona monkeys, protected by long-standing religious taboos rather than formal wildlife law alone.
Yes — forest trails are available with a knowledgeable local guide for a deeper look at the sanctuary beyond the village itself.
One of the largest and most important markets in this part of Ghana — a genuine hub of regional trade.
Yes, particularly for those interested in traditional religion — there's an old shrine in the rocks at nearby Forikrom worth the short detour.
Via Kumasi — it fits naturally into a longer central-to-northern Ghana itinerary rather than a standalone trip.
Yes — the sanctuary is gentle terrain and the monkeys are famously unafraid of people, making it an engaging, safe stop for families.
1-2 hours is typically enough to walk the main sanctuary area with a guide and see the monkeys up close.
A modest community fee applies, which goes directly toward supporting the village's conservation efforts and the guides who lead sanctuary walks.
Techiman offers the most accommodation options nearby, roughly 20-25km from the sanctuary itself.
Visit Boabeng-Fiema on your route
Vehicle, driver and route included — see our tour packages or ask us to build a custom itinerary.
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