Exploring the vast African wilderness is always a dream for wildlife enthusiasts. Accra shines prominently among the few cities that can ensure a safe, comfortable and lively experience during the sojourn of Africa.
Accra can be more than you might expect it to be – the gigantic skyline says it all. It is generally not a problem to find decent accommodation, transportation and other travel-related services within your budget. With its world-class hotels, restaurants, bars, malls, and clubs, Accra can offer the best of shopping, dining and nightlife experiences.
The nearest wildlife fun, however, is no less than a few hours of drive. Travelers can make Accra their base to explore the extreme wilderness of Ghana and beyond. In all, Ghana has 18 wildlife-protected areas that include 7 national parks, 6 resource reserves, 4 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 coastal wetlands.
Out of all these, the most famous and probably the most popular among travelers on holidays are two national parks – Kakum National Park and Mole National Park. While the former is a coastal rainforest teeming with abundant plant and animal life, the latter is a former game reserve providing habitats to a wide variety of wildlife in an isolated region of Ghana.
Europeans can have an easy access to these parks as the direct flights to Accra won’t take more than 7 hours from London or any other city in Europe.
Here are some of the tips for wildlife tours in Accra, Ghana.
Accra can be more than you might expect it to be – the gigantic skyline says it all. It is generally not a problem to find decent accommodation, transportation and other travel-related services within your budget. With its world-class hotels, restaurants, bars, malls, and clubs, Accra can offer the best of shopping, dining and nightlife experiences.
The nearest wildlife fun, however, is no less than a few hours of drive. Travelers can make Accra their base to explore the extreme wilderness of Ghana and beyond. In all, Ghana has 18 wildlife-protected areas that include 7 national parks, 6 resource reserves, 4 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 coastal wetlands.
Out of all these, the most famous and probably the most popular among travelers on holidays are two national parks – Kakum National Park and Mole National Park. While the former is a coastal rainforest teeming with abundant plant and animal life, the latter is a former game reserve providing habitats to a wide variety of wildlife in an isolated region of Ghana.
Europeans can have an easy access to these parks as the direct flights to Accra won’t take more than 7 hours from London or any other city in Europe.
Here are some of the tips for wildlife tours in Accra, Ghana.
- Kakum National Park is just 77 miles from Accra, and is thus the nearest. It is possible to take a day trip, but staying longer would be a better idea.
- The rental car can take you to Cape Coast, and then further to Kakum, comfortably in 3 hours from Accra. So, it would be a fun experience to take a day trip to Kakum National Park.
- The most fantastic experience in the park would be the canopy walkway, which is considered one of the longest in the world.
- There are trails as well for those who want to walk on the ground, but they must take notice of uneven terrain and stairs to climb up or down on their way.
- You can see abundant birds, insects and animals from both the ground and 40 meters up in the canopy. The park is famous for its vast number of Mona monkeys.
- Be an early bird to avoid the crowd if you want to use the canopy walkway.
- The more adventurous travelers can always take the ground route. Moreover, it is also a good idea to have a guide with you.
- Travelers can find a café and shops selling souvenirs at the Visitor Center.
- For an overnight stay, find a suitable accommodation in Cape Coast, which is just one hour from Kakum and has many budget-to-moderate-range accommodations.
- Mole National Park is the largest national park in Ghana, but it is situated about 690 km from Accra. The one-way journey can take no less than 10 hours.
- Walking is the only option here and you need to stick to the designated route for safety reasons.
- The park can offer you a wider vista of native wildlife that may include elephants, antelope, bushbucks, monkeys and baboons.
- For a safari tour, you are provided with an armed ranger. Thus, you get a real opportunity to get up close with the African wilderness.