Places · Beyond Accra

Ghana attractions worth the journey

A village on stilts, the Asante capital and its craft villages, a crater lake, waterfalls in the Volta hills, mud mosques and sacred crocodiles in the north. Region by region, with the honest effort it takes to get there.

How to choose

Ghana's attractions are spread out, and the roads between them are slow. Rather than trying to see everything, choose one or two regions for a first trip and see them properly. The coast with its forts, Kumasi and the Asante heartland, the green Volta hills and the savannah north feel like different countries; each deserves several days.

For Accra itself see Things to do in Accra. For the forts see Forts and castles; for wildlife, National parks; for the lake and the dam, Akosombo and Lake Volta.

The coast

Cape Coast, Elmina and Kakum

The most visited corner of Ghana, and for good reason: the two great castles, the canopy walkway at Kakum, and a string of beaches and fishing towns. Two or three nights here is the core of most first trips.

Nzulezo, the village on stilts

In the far west, near Beyin, a whole village stands on stilts in the middle of a lake, reached by a dugout canoe through raffia palms. Its people say their ancestors came from Mali following a snail. It is a living village, not a museum: go with respect, and expect a community fee. Combine it with Fort Apollonia at Beyin.

The Ahanta and Nzema coast

Busua, Butre, Dixcove, Princes Town and Axim: beaches, forts and slow days, best explored from a lodge on the western coast.

Discover NzulezoOn ghana-net.com. Nzulezo: living heritage on waterOn ghanamuseums.com. Cape CoastOn ghana-net.com. Beposo suspension bridgeThe 1930s bridge over the Pra, on ghana-net.com.

Coastal tours: entrance fees are included in the tour price. Tips for your guide and driver are not included, but they are always welcome.

The Eastern hills

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Up in the Akuapem hills, less than an hour from Accra when traffic allows, the colonial-era botanical gardens offer shade, cooler air and old trees. The town of Aburi is known for its woodcarvers. An easy day out from the capital.

Koforidua, Boti Falls and Umbrella Rock

The Eastern Region capital is the base for Boti Falls, which flows strongest in the rainy season, and the strange balanced stone of Umbrella Rock nearby.

Kwahu

The Kwahu ridge comes alive at Easter, with the paragliding festival and the biggest homecoming party in the country.

Aburi Botanical GardensOn ghana-net.com. AburiThe dedicated Aburi site. KoforiduaOn ghana-net.com. Boti FallsOn ghana-net.com.

Kumasi and the Ashanti heartland

Kumasi, the seat of the Asantehene, is Ghana's second city and the heart of Asante culture. It is loud, crowded and fascinating.

Manhyia Palace Museum: the former palace of the Asantehene, with the history of the Asante kings.
Akwasidae: every six weeks the Asantehene sits in state at Manhyia; the best chance to see a great Asante durbar.
Kejetia market: one of the largest markets in West Africa.
Kumasi Fort: the British fort, now a military museum.
Kumasi Zoo: in the city centre.
The craft villages: Bonwire for kente weaving, Ntonso for adinkra printing, Ahwiaa for woodcarving. A good half-day trip.
Lake Bosomtwe: a meteorite crater lake south-east of the city, sacred to the Asante, with simple lakeside lodges.
Yaa Asantewaa Museum, Ejisu, and the traditional Asante buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kumasi, Ashanti RegionOn ghana-net.com. Manhyia Palace MuseumOn ghana-net.com. BonwireThe kente weaving village, on ghana-net.com. NtonsoThe adinkra printing village, on ghana-net.com. AhwiaaThe woodcarving village, on ghana-net.com. Lake BosomtweOn ghana-net.com. Kumasi ZooOn ghana-net.com. Asante traditional buildingsOn ghana-net.com.

Kumasi and Ashanti tours: entrance fees are included in the tour price. Tips for your guide and driver are not included, but they are always welcome.

The Volta Region

East of the Volta River, the land rises into green hills on the Togo border. This is Ghana's best walking country, cooler than the coast and much quieter.

Wli Falls: one of the highest waterfalls in West Africa, reached by a forest walk; the upper falls are a serious hike.
Mount Afadjato: Ghana's highest mountain, a steep climb with wide views; Tagbo Falls is nearby at Liati Wote.
Tafi Atome: mona monkeys protected in a sacred grove.
Amedzofe: a highland village with mountain views.
Ho: the regional capital and gateway, with the Volta Regional Museum.
Keta and the lagoon: Fort Prinzenstein, the sea's erosion, and birdlife on Ghana's largest lagoon.

Ho, gateway to the Volta RegionOn ghana-net.com. hoinghana.comHo and the Volta Region in depth. Wli FallsOn ghana-net.com. 8 days in the Volta RegionOn ghana-net.com.

Volta Region tours: entrance fees are included in the tour price. Tips for your guide and driver are not included, but they are always welcome.

The north

The savannah north feels like another country: flat-roofed mud compounds, mosques built of earth, a different pace and very different heat. Fly to Tamale to save two days on the road.

Mole National Park: elephants and walking safaris.
Larabanga and the ancient mud mosques: nine Sudanese-style mosques survive across the north.
Paga Crocodile Pond: sacred crocodiles on the Burkina Faso border.
Pikworo slave camp, Paga: the rock camp where captives were held.
Tongo Hills and Tengzug: the sacred rock country of the Talensi.
Navrongo Cathedral: a mud-built cathedral with painted walls.
Bolgatanga: baskets, leather and the crafts of the Upper East.
Wa and Wechiau: Nakore mosque, the Upper West, and hippos on the Black Volta.
Salaga: the old slave market town.