Ghana Nature and Wildlife Sanctuaries:


 

Tafi Monkey Village:

 

Nestled in the heart of the region (43km South of Hohoe and less than 200km north of Accra) lies the beautiful village of Tafi Atome. Tafi Atome is surrounded by an indigenous tropical forest with very high floral concentration.

In this forest, one could find the endangered, playful and rather sacred True Mona Monkeys. Believing the monkeys to be messengers to the gods and their protectors, the chiefs and people of Tafi have been protecting them for the past 200 years.

 

Boabeng-Fiema Sanctuary :

 

Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is Ghana's most famous example of traditional African conservation. The sanctuary is nestled in between the two villages of Boabeng and Fiema; the sanctuary is home to over 200 Geoffrey's Pied Columbus and 500 Campbell's Mona Monkeys.

For more than 150 years the people of Boabeng and Fiema have considered the monkeys sacred. The traditional beliefs in both communities prohibit physical harm to the monkeys. Additionally, the 2 communities came together in 1975 to pass a local modern law prohibiting harm to the monkeys.

Campbell's Mona Monkey

The monkeys are forest mol). Keys. They number about 500 in the sanctuary. They are brown in colour and eat leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and insects. Many times these monkeys can be seen trying to steal food from local kitchens.

Geoffrey's Pied Columbus

These Columbus Monkeys are black and white in colour. They eat leaves, stems, and mineralized earth. There are about 200 in the sanctuary. Early in the morning, the visitor can hear them calling loudly to one another. Despite their sacred status within Boabeng and Fiema, these monkeys do not enjoy this status in many other places around the world. They are currently listed as vulnerable internationally and likely to become endangered if the present rate of habitat change and hunting continues. Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is the only place in Africa where one can easily view this species in their numbers.

The forest

Led by a tour guide, you can amble through trails in the lush forest watching for monkeys on the ground and in the canopy of the trees above. You will see a variety of butterflies, birds, and over 90 identified species of trees. After your guided tour, feel free to explore the beautiful village on your own.

The guide will also lead you on a tour of the villages where you can see monkeys interacting with the people. You will see monkeys on the ground, op roofs, jumping from house to house, and in the courtyards of homes. You may also explore the villages on your own after the initial guided tour. Please respect local people when exploring the villages.

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of our comfortable 6-room guesthouse with flush toilet, bathing facilities, and borehole supplying potable water.

Bring your tent and camp on the grounds of our guesthouse.

Visitors can always observe the monkeys in the lush forest and picturesque villages; however, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see monkeys. The monkeys are viewable all year around, in the wet and dry seasons.

 

Kyabobo National Park:

 

Every available evidence points to the fact that the Nkwanta district is very rich in game and wildlife.

There are heads, skins and bones of animal that have been killed by hunters, especially at Kue. The heads include those of the buffalo, various types of monkeys, hyena, red-river hog and variety of birds.

Consequently a national park, Kyabobo National Park, has been created near Kwanta. It is noteworthy to state that the Togolese have a national part at the other side of the Ghana-Togo ranges called Parc National de Fazao.

 

Shai Resource Reserve:

 

The Shai Hills Resource Reserve is found in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana, approximately 50km north-east of the capital of Accra on the main road between Accra and the Volta Region.

The reserve, which is 5,140ha (51km1 in area, was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1962 and is presently administered and managed by the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry Commission.

The reserve consists of a very striking and attractive range of rocky hills set in the middle of expansive open and wooded grassland plains. The Shai Hills, which rise more than 200m above the surrounding land, are made up primarily of hornblende gneiss, highly regarded as a quarry stone. The rock is visible in many places along the hills as impressive and steep cliffs and large and attractive rocky outcrops. There are several cave systems in the hills, some of which have played and continue to play an important role in local history, culture and tradition.

At present, the reserve supports 31 species of mammals, more than 175 species of birds and 13 reptile species. The principal mammal species presently found in the reserve and which are of importance to visitors and tourists include western kob (about 150), oribi (not common), grey duiker, bushbuck, serval, civet, genet, anubis baboon, vervet monkey and spot-nosed monkey. Game population numb&rs and densities, however, are currently very low and the game viewing experience is not that rewarding.

At present, the reserve is used mostly by day-visitors who either drive along some of the 17km of tourist roads and tracks or hike along walking-trails that have b&en established in the hills. There are presently no ovemight facilities for visitors, other than dormitory-like accommodation for school groups and a very rudimentary camp site. Other than a small entrance gate, two fairly basic picnic sites and a museum building that is nearing completion, there are currently no other tourist facilities or amenities in the reserve.

 

Bobiri Forest Butterfly Sanctuary:

 

The Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary is located in the pristine 54.5 sq. km . Bobiri is a research forest, and has one of the highest butterfly counts in Ghana. With beautifully landscaped grounds, and flower gardens designed to attract 500 species of butterflies in the forest and the only known open-air butterfly sanctuary in Africa. .

The beautifully landscaped grounds include a forest arboretum, and flower gardens designed to attract abundant butterflies. Bobiri is a great day trips from Kumasi, or a vacation getaway year-round.

The reserve is ideal for rain forest walk through the carefully laid paths. Visitors would also have the opportunity of identifying different tree species. The forest canopy creates a cool and conducive environment which you will love.

 

Atewa-Atwirebu Butterfly Sanctuary:

 

10km north of Kibi is the magic forest of Atewa-Atwirebu. This nature lovers' paradise has over 150 different species of ferns and other flora.

The forest is filled with the enchanting sounds of birds and insects including the "Papillio Antimactus", one of the largest butterflies in Africa!

 

Aburi Botanical Gardens:

 

These century – old botanical gardens, about one hour's drive from Accra offer a rich collection of tropical flora, which attracts scores of birds and butterflies. The tranquil paths are a popular excursion for our city dwellers.

The Gardens were originally created in 1890 as an agricultural research station and a habitat for plants from around the world. Over the years the Botanical Gardens have collected together a variety of tropical flora which attracts scores of birds and butterflies. Situated in the town of Aburi, which is well-known for its health climate, the Gardens also have pleasant indoor-outdoor restaurants and facilities for staying overnight.

 

Akatekyi crocodile pond:

 

30km west of Takoradi, the local Fetish Priest entices the crocodile from the water with a life chicken.

Bring a bottle of schnapps for the libation. Visitors are welcome every day except Tuesday, which is a sacred day.

 

Kakum National Park:

 

The park was established in 1932 and officially opened to the public in 1994. The 357km2 national park is comprised of mostly undisturbed virgin rainforest.

Excellent walking tours (and a canopy walkway) through the forest provide the opportunity to see much of Ghana's indigenous plant life, as well as rare butterflies, birds and game (that could include the extraordinary bongo and forest elephant).