How many parks to visit: I recommend
two or three national parks, no more. Ghana’s parks sit far apart, the roads are slow, and each one rewards a full day of walking rather than a quick tick. Three gives you a mix of savanna and forest without turning the trip into a series of dusty transfers. You leave with time for dawn bird calls, a long lunch of fufu or rice and stew in the nearest village, and the quiet that comes after the guide stops talking.
Which kind suits your style: If you want
big animals and classic walking safaris, put the northern savanna first. Elephants, antelope and baboons show up in the dry season, and the open light is good for photos. If you prefer
canopy, butterflies and monkeys, choose a southern forest park, where trails are shaded, humid and loud with insects. …
read more 👉 How many parks to visit: I recommend two or three national parks, no more. Ghana’s parks sit far apart, the roads are slow, and each one rewards a full day of walking rather than a quick tick. Three gives you a mix of savanna and forest without turning the trip into a series of dusty transfers. You leave with time for dawn bird calls, a long lunch of fufu or rice and stew in the nearest village, and the quiet that comes after the guide stops talking.
Which kind suits your style: If you want big animals and classic walking safaris, put the northern savanna first. Elephants, antelope and baboons show up in the dry season, and the open light is good for photos. If you prefer canopy, butterflies and monkeys, choose a southern forest park, where trails are shaded, humid and loud with insects. Beach-leaning travelers can pick a coastal park, where the draw is sea air, birds and mangrove paddling. Travelers short on time or money should skip the far north and stick to one southern park, since it is closer to Accra.
What it costs: Budget about US$30 to 60 a day including food, guesthouse and local transport. Foreigner entry fees usually run the equivalent of US$8 to 25 per person, in cedis, and a compulsory guide or walking safari adds roughly US$5 to 15. A vehicle safari, where offered, costs more, typically US$20 to 50 per vehicle. Cheap guesthouses near the gates cost US$15 to 40 a night, while park lodges run higher. Shared taxis and trotros cost a few dollars per leg, but chartering a car for the final stretch to a gate may cost US$20 to 60. Carry cedis in small notes, because card machines and ATMs are unreliable.
Safety and culture: Daytime walking is generally safe with a ranger. Keep a respectful distance from elephants and baboons, which can be aggressive around food. In the forest, wear long sleeves, closed shoes and insect repellent against mosquitoes and tsetse flies, and take malaria prophylaxis. A yellow fever certificate is required for entry into Ghana. Drink only filtered or bottled water, and bring enough for heat that can top 35°C.
Culturally, greet people first, with a handshake and a “good morning,” before asking for help. Use your right hand to give and receive. Ask before photographing villagers, and tip your guide, usually US$3 to 8 per group, which they earn gladly after hours of walking with you in the sun.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.