Chimp watching - ecotourism in the Taï National Park

Guiroutou is a small village located on the southwestern edge of Taï National Park, and the site of Ecotel Touraco, a small-scale ecoturism resort.

Currently German-managed, it will soon be handed over to local know-how. The Ecotel already employs only local staff, including trained guides, and buys all its supplies from neighbouring communities.

WWF was directly involved in the choice of both the site, some ten kilometres away from the park, and the equipment used to build the resort. WWF also took part in discussions on the kind of ecotourism suited to the area.

An ecotour where you could almost shake hands with neighbours
Ecotel Touraco consists of ten cabins with bath and toilets, and a restaurant. So far the resort has targeted ecotourists from industrialized countries, mainly birdwatchers, as well as scientists.

The resort's main attraction is a two-day excursion into Taï National Park to observe a group of chimpanzees habituated to human visitors. Climbing Mont Niénokoué - a sacred mountain for the local Krou population - for an unforgettable view of the whole park is another highlight of a stay at Ecotel Touraco.