Weather & Calendar

The dry season is best for wildlife viewing, but the rain season is best for lakes, rivers and water falls. Holidays like Christmas and Easter are huge events in Ghana, but airfare costs much more during these dates. Plan your trip according to your desired activities.

Ghana Calendar

See our list of Festivals in Ghana for a large, but incomplete, list of festivals, holidays and celebrations held in Ghana during the year. Many of the dates are not exact, so it is best to try to confirm the exact date of any festival you are planning to attend. We can do this for you, or you can call the local Ghana Tourist Board office.

These are the recognized public holidays:

1 JanuaryNew Year Day
6 MarchIndependence Day
2011: 22 April & 25 AprilGood Friday & Easter
1 MayMay Day
25 MayAfrica Unity Day
1 July Republic Day
First Friday in DecemberFarmer's Day
2010: 10 September
per Muslim calendar		Eid-Al-Fitr
2010: 17 November
per Muslim calendar		Eid-Al-Adha
25 DecemberChristmas
26 DecemberBoxing Day
Click here for a list of Festivals in Ghana


Ghana Climate  

Ghana experiences a typical tropical climate. It is almost always hot, and the seasons are either wet or dry. As a rule, temperatures are more mild in the highlands, more humid along the coast and hotter and drier the farther north you go. Driving just 45 minutes north of Accra to Aburi marks a significant change in climate, as Aburi is in the hills which get a cooling mist most mornings and evenings.

Ghana is always a very dusty place. Bring zip-lock plastic bags for things you wish to keep dust-free. Pack a camera bag, lens cleaning cloth and a bandanna. Also avoid wearing solid white clothing as it is impossible to keep clean.

Besides the temperature and humidity, the rain and the Harmattan winds are the other two significant weather events in Ghana.


Rain in Ghana

There are two rain seasons in Ghana. The heaviest rain in the south is from April until June, and a lighter rain possible during September and October. In the north, the rain season is continuous, giving rain from April until October.

Typically a rain will last for a short time, but on some days during the rain season, the entire day will be raining very hard.

Always pack accordingly and be prepared for delays when traveling during the rain season. Clothing should be fast-drying and your luggage should be able to withstand an unanticipated drenching.


Harmattan in Ghana

The Harmattan is a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara desert in late December and continues sometimes until early February. Most years it is somewhat pleasant because it dims the sun and decreases the humidity. Other years, a bad Harmattan day will look like a thick London or San Francisco fog - except it is dust!
 

The Harmattan is more intense the farther North you travel. This is actually the best time for wildlife viewing because animals congregate at the available water holes during this dry season.

You should travel with lip balm, a nasal decongestant and moisturizing lotion during the Harmattan.


Ghana Weather Summary

Here is a weather summary for the three largest cities: Accra, the capital on the coast, Kumasi in the center of the country, and Tamale in the Northern Region.

MonthWeather
Event

Average Maximum Temperatures

Accra   KumasiTamale
CFCFCF
JanuaryHarmattan
Cool & dusty-dry		318831883697
February2nd hottest month
Harmattan possible		318833913799
MarchHottest month318833913799
AprilRain begins small318832893697
MayRain318831883391
JuneRain298429853188
July2nd coolest month
Small rain possible		278128832984
AugustCoolest month
Small rain possible		278127812984
SeptemberOvercast
Some small rain		278128833086
OctoberSome small rain 298430863290
NovemberMild and dry318831883493
DecemberHarmattan starts late
Cool & dusty-dry		318831883595