What animals live in Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast has some remarkable wildlife! In the forests and savannas you can find forest elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, and hippos. The country also has colorful birds like hornbills and sunbirds, plus dozens of different kinds of monkeys swinging through the trees. The Taï National Park in the southwest is one of the last big patches of West African rainforest, and it is home to chimpanzees that scientists have studied for decades because they actually use rocks and sticks as tools. Colobus monkeys, with their striking black-and-white fur, live there too. It is a reminder of how carefully God designed each creature — and how wide and varied His world really is.

What do kids eat in Ivory Coast?

Kids in Ivory Coast eat a lot of rice, plantains, and cassava — cassava is a starchy root that gets pounded into a thick, doughy food called fufu. One favorite dish is attiéké, which is a fluffy, slightly sour couscous made from grated cassava. It often gets served with grilled fish and a spicy sauce on the side. Ivory Coast grows more cocoa beans than almost anywhere else on earth, so chocolate actually starts its journey right there — though most kids eat fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and pineapples rather than chocolate bars. A common drink is ginger juice, which is sweet and has a sharp, warm kick to it. Meals are usually shared from one big bowl with family, which makes eating feel like a gathering every single time.

How do people say hello in Ivory Coast?

Great question! In Ivory Coast, people speak many different languages, but the most common one used across the country is called Dioula. In Dioula, you can greet someone by saying 'I ni ce' (say it like 'ee nee chay'), which means something like 'hello' or 'greetings to you.' French is also the official language, so you will hear 'Bonjour' a lot too! What makes greetings in Ivory Coast really special is that they are never rushed. People take time to ask about your family, your health, and your day — it is considered rude to skip straight to business without a warm exchange first. Herman always says that greetings like these remind him of how the Bible talks about honoring one another. When missionaries learn to greet people this way, it opens doors to share the gospel, because it shows respect and genuine care.

What sports or games do kids play in Ivory Coast?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Ivory Coast, football — what you might call soccer — is by far the most beloved sport. Kids play it everywhere: on dirt fields, in alleyways, and in open patches of land, often with a worn-out ball or even a bundle of rags tied together. Rusty wants you to know about some traditional games too! Kids in Ivory Coast play a game called 'Awale,' which is a strategy game using seeds or pebbles moved around small cups carved into a wooden board — it takes real thinking to win. There are also running games, wrestling matches, and clapping-and-singing games that kids play together in villages, the same way children have played them for generations.

What's the weather like in Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast sits right near the equator, so it stays warm and humid almost all year long. There are two rainy seasons in the south — one from May to July and another shorter one in October and November. The north is drier and gets very hot, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Near the coast, the air feels thick and sticky because of all the moisture coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, a hot, dry wind called the Harmattan blows down from the Sahara Desert between December and February, covering everything in a thin layer of dust. Farmers there plan their planting and harvesting around these seasons — it shapes daily life in a big way.

Tell me a fun fact about Ivory Coast.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Ivory Coast produces more cacao beans than any other country in the world — about 40% of the entire world's supply comes from its farms. That means a huge chunk of the chocolate you've ever eaten probably started its journey in Ivory Coast. Rusty wants to add that cacao pods are pretty wild-looking up close — they grow directly out of the trunk of the tree, not from the branches, and they come in colors like yellow, orange, and deep red. Farmers split them open by hand to find the white, slippery seeds inside that eventually become cocoa. Thousands of farming families in Ivory Coast depend on this harvest to make a living, and many of them have never heard the good news about Jesus — which is exactly why missionaries work there.

What is school like for kids in Ivory Coast?

In Ivory Coast, school is taught in French — that's the official language there, left over from when France governed the country. Kids study subjects like math, reading, and history, just like you might. But not every child gets to finish school, because some families need their children to help with work at home or on farms. Many schools in Ivory Coast don't have the same supplies and buildings that schools in other places have. Some classrooms are crowded, and textbooks can be hard to come by. The good news is that many missionaries and local Christians work to help children learn — and more than that, they want kids there to hear about Jesus, who called children to come to Him and said they matter deeply to God.

Who are the unreached people in Ivory Coast?

Great question! Ivory Coast is home to several people groups who have not yet heard the good news about Jesus. The Dyula and Malinke peoples are two of the largest — most of them follow Islam and have very few Christians among them. That means many have never had a real chance to hear who Jesus is and why He came. There are also smaller groups in the north, like the Senoufo and Jula peoples, living in villages where there may be no church and no Bible in their own language. Herman and I think about what it must be like to grow up never hearing that Jesus loves you and died to save you. That is why missionaries and local believers are working hard to bring the gospel to these communities — and why prayer matters so much.

How can I pray for the people of Ivory Coast?

Herman and Rusty are glad you asked — prayer is one of the most real things you can do for people halfway around the world! Ivory Coast has many Christians, but there are also millions of people, especially in the north, who have never heard the good news about Jesus. You can pray that God opens their hearts and that they get a chance to hear who Jesus really is. You can also pray for the churches in Ivory Coast to grow strong and know their Bibles well, and for missionaries who have moved there to share the gospel to stay safe and find open doors. Some parts of Ivory Coast have languages that still do not have the whole Bible translated yet, so pray that God raises up faithful people to do that work. And ask God to protect believers who face pressure for following Jesus, and to call up strong Ivorian Christian leaders who will teach and encourage their own people for generations to come.

What is a holiday or celebration in Ivory Coast?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One big celebration in Ivory Coast is the Fête du Dipri, a festival held by the Abidji people near the town of Gomon. People gather through the night, and it is a very important event in their traditional culture — though it is rooted in old religious customs that are not part of following Jesus. Rusty wants to add that Ivory Coast also celebrates Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas, since many people there identify as Christian. What is really exciting to us explorers is that some Ivorian believers have found ways to share the good news about Jesus during festivals and community gatherings — turning celebration time into a chance for neighbors to hear about the real hope found in Him.

What language do people speak in Ivory Coast?

Great question! Ivory Coast's official language is French, which comes from when France governed the country long ago. But here's something worth knowing — most people also speak one of about 70 local languages at home, like Dioula, Baoulé, or Bété. Dioula is especially useful because traders and travelers across West Africa use it to talk to each other, even if they come from different groups. This matters a lot for missionaries, because to really share the good news of Jesus with someone, it helps to speak the language of their heart — the one they grew up whispering and laughing in. Some of those 70 languages still don't have a full Bible translation yet, so there is real work still to be done!

What's a famous place to visit in Ivory Coast?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most talked-about places in Ivory Coast is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro. It is one of the largest church buildings in the entire world — with a huge dome that you can spot from far away across the flat savanna. Rusty wants to add that Yamoussoukro is actually the official capital city of Ivory Coast, even though many people think of Abidjan as the main hub. The basilica was built in the 1980s and modeled after St. Peter's in Rome. It is quite a sight, sitting in a country where many people have never heard the true gospel of Jesus — which makes it a good reminder to pray that the message of who Jesus really is would reach every person in Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast — Kids Missions Explorer

Forest Elephant

Smaller than their savanna cousins, forest elephants live in the dense rainforests of Ivory Coast and use their straighter tusks to navigate through thick undergrowth.

African Pygmy Hippopotamus

This rare, shy relative of the common hippo is roughly the size of a large pig and spends more time on land than in water, hiding in the forest undergrowth.

Attiéké

Made from fermented cassava that is grated and steamed into light, grainy couscous-like mounds, attiéké is served at nearly every meal and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor.

Fufu

A smooth, dense dough pounded from boiled yam or plantain, fufu is eaten by hand and dipped into rich soups and stews that carry deep, earthy flavors of tomato and palm oil.

Kedjenou

A slow-cooked stew of chicken or guinea fowl with vegetables sealed and cooked in a clay pot called a canari, kedjenou develops tender meat and a deeply savory broth from steam alone.

Ivory Coast

Things you should know about Ivory Coast

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Ivory Coast

Missions in Ivory Coast

Pray for Ivory Coast