Birding Sites in Ghana
Ghana is an amazing destination for birding. Among the unique offerings, Ghana affords participants the opportunity to see the spectacular Yellow-headed Picathartes, one of Africa's most unusual birds. On this page we identify some choice locations for birding watching in Ghana. We have expert birding specialists at destinations throughout Ghana or available to travel with any tour.
Sakumono Lagoon
The closest location to Accra for good birding is the Sakumono Lagoon in Tema. World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated at this wetland protected area (Ramsar site) in 2011. While human development has greatly reduced this area, , which is an urban oasis between Accra and Tema, it is still a recommended birding site if you wish to remain close to Accra.
Kakum National Park
Kakum is a Must-See Birding location in Ghana. Be sure to hike the Sun Bird Trail that is specially developed to incorporate three ecosystems: rainforest, secondary forest, and pond. This is an excellent ground hike for lower-story and ground-dwelling species. Visitors can use this trail together with the canopy walkway to search for more than 400 bird species found on the Kakum bird checklist.
Keta Lagoon
The Keta lagoon is the largest lagoon in Ghana, separated from the ocean by a long sandbar. This Ramsar site is Ghana's most important marine birding site and its tiny islands provide sites of special attraction. You can canoe on the lagoon or use the bird watching lookouts.
Apart from thousands of migratory birds, this area provide plenty of sites for you to explore, including a mangrove forest, breeding grounds of sea turtle, lovely beaches, Fort Pridzenstein and the Cape St Paul Lighthouse.
Xavi Bird Sanctuary
While the Xavi Bird Sanctuary technically closed many years ago, the birds still remain! A canoe ride down the Lotor River to the Avu Lagoon permits viewing birds not normally seen in other habitats. A great diversity of birds (over 90 different species) can be viewed from the canoe. Bird lovers are guaranteed sightings of birds from a unique vantage point not usually available to tourists.
There is a grove of baobab trees to relax under. The nearby village of Afife hosts colorful Nyigbla festival, week-long celebration climaxing on the third weekend of February. Songs, dance, bonfires, and a grand procession of area chiefs commemorate the migration of the Anlo-Ewe people to this area.
Atewa Range Forest Reserve
This is an incredibly beautiful forest located on the way to Kumasi. The Atewa Forest Reserve is only one of two evergreen Upper Guinea Forest ecosystems remaining in Ghana. Recognized as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area, this forest has an amazing number of butterflies and is better bird watching than Kakum or Ankasa. Unfortunately access is difficult or impossible during the rainy season. You should allow most of a day for an excursion into this forest.
Ankasa Conservation Area
At the southwest corner of Ghana near the border with Cote d'Ivoire is the Ankasa Protected Area, a twin Wildlife Protected Area comprised of Nini-Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve. This evergreen rainforest is estimated to have Ghana's largest concentration of biodiversity. Forest-obligates are well represented at this park which is located in an area that receives the highest amount of rainfall in Ghana.
Owabi Forest Reserve
Close to Kumasi is the Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary, a secondary forest that surrounds the Owabi water reservoir. This tranquil site is Ghana's only inland Ramsar site and boasts a great variety of birdlife and fascinating forest walks. It an ideal place for winter migratory birds. A large population of monkeys, mongoose, and butterflies are also present.
When visiting this reserve, it is easy to also visit the Asenemaso Traditional Shrine, one of the Ashanti fetish houses in the greater Kumasi area.
Mole National Park
The largest national park in Ghana also has the largest birding checklist of any site in Ghana. The broad-leaved Guinea woodland attracts large communities of birds associated with the drier northern climate. January is the best time of the year to visit. You will have a sighting guide when doing birding tours at Mole National Park.
Tano Dam
The Tono Dam is an agricultural dam that has created a large body of water. You can easily do a full day of birding at the Tono Dam near Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Visit early morning for large populations of water birds. Even more exciting are the unique nocturnal excursions which are available for sightings of rare and unusual birds.
Nearby is a mud-bick Catholic cathedral, the sacred crocodile ponds at Paga, and plenty of cultural activities at the region capital, Bolgatanga.