Fiema
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Fiema

Fiema

Ghanaian village sanctuary where sacred colobus and mona monkeys live freely among houses and forest.

The Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, in the Bono East Region between Sunyani and Kintampo, is one of Ghana's most unusual wildlife sites. The villages of Boabeng and Fiema are home to black-and-white colobus monkeys and mona monkeys that live freely among the houses and are considered sacred by the local people, who believe the monkeys carry the spirits of their ancestors.

The monkeys are completely habituated to humans — they will eat from your hand and pose obligingly for photographs. A guide takes you through the village and the surrounding forest, where the monkeys are equally at ease. At the forest edge, the monkey cemetery offers a glimpse into the deep cultural roots of this unusual conservation story.

You can reach Fiema by tro-tro or taxi from Kintampo or Nkoranza. Getting a ride back can take some patience, so plan accordingly or arrange return transport in advance.

Guide

Getting There

Fiema lies in the Bono East Region, about 22 kilometres from Nkoranza. The nearest larger town with transport connections is Kintampo, roughly 30 km to the north on the main Kumasi–Tamale road.

From Kintampo or Nkoranza, take a shared taxi or tro-tro heading towards the Fiema direction — you may need to ask locally, as the village is small and not always named on signboards. Tro-tros from Kumasi also pass through Nkoranza. Getting a vehicle back out of Fiema can take some patience, particularly in the afternoon; it is worth arranging your return transport in advance or asking your guide to help.

There is no direct public transport from Accra or Kumasi to Fiema itself — plan for a connection through Kintampo or Nkoranza.

Guide

Things to Do in Fiema

Fiema's main draw is the monkey sanctuary that wraps around both villages. There is little else — but the sanctuary is genuinely extraordinary, and a half-day spent here leaves a strong impression.