×

Ghana🇬🇭 | landmarksWli WaterfallsTallest falls in West Africa, Volta Region, bat cave, Agumatsa Sanctuary | things to do and best time to go

Explore Kintampo WaterfallsExplore Nzulezo

Backpacking in Wli Waterfalls
👍 Recommendedunique site ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Most online summaries sell Wli as one waterfall, but there are two: the lower falls are an easy walk, while the upper falls need a hot, muddy trek of about 3 to 4 hours round trip. Both sit in Ghana’s Volta Region, near the Togo border, in the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary outside Hohoe. The lower falls draw weekend crowds of day-trippers from Accra and the price creeps up once you add guide, camera and transport costs. Still, the approach is lovely. I walked in through forest humid enough to fog my sunglasses, and the roar built slowly until a cold mist hit my face and soaked my shirt before I saw the water. Bats chatter overhead in the cliff crevices and butterflies lift off the trail in clouds. Wli is not on a main backpacker highway, but the drop, the spray and the quiet forest make the detour pay.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ghana Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 unique site in GhanaThe unique appeal for travelers

Wli is the tallest waterfall in West Africa, and the upper falls are usually quoted at around 80 meters. Getting there takes effort: from Accra it is a full day by tro-tro via Ho or Hohoe, and the last stretch from Hohoe needs a shared taxi. That distance keeps it far calmer than Ghana’s coastal castles. The lower falls take about 45 minutes each way on a flat forest path, so they suit almost anyone, while the upper falls hike gives you a proper day out with a local guide. Costs stay low, with modest entry and guide fees and cheap local food in Wli village. The place also works well as part of a Volta Region loop. Pair it with Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Mount Afadja (Ghana’s highest peak) and the hills around Hohoe, then continue to Lake Volta or cross toward Togo. You get forest, wildlife, swimming and village life in one stop.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Wli Waterfalls

  1. Lower Falls: A flat 45-minute forest walk ends at a tall cascade dropping into a wide natural pool, and swimming is allowed. The mist alone cools you off after the humid trail.
  2. Upper Falls Trek: Reaching the top drop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way with a guide, with several stream crossings. It is the highest waterfall in West Africa, and the hike is the main reason adventurous travelers come.
  3. Bat Colony: Thousands of fruit bats roost in the cliffs near the falls, and the sound carries over the water. Dusk or early morning is most active.
  4. Swimming Pool: The basin beneath the lower falls is where most visitors cool off. The spray is strong, so waterproof your phone before you swim.
  5. Butterflies and Forest Birds: The sanctuary shelters many butterflies along the path, particularly near sunlit
… read more 👉
  1. Lower Falls: A flat 45-minute forest walk ends at a tall cascade dropping into a wide natural pool, and swimming is allowed. The mist alone cools you off after the humid trail.
  2. Upper Falls Trek: Reaching the top drop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way with a guide, with several stream crossings. It is the highest waterfall in West Africa, and the hike is the main reason adventurous travelers come.
  3. Bat Colony: Thousands of fruit bats roost in the cliffs near the falls, and the sound carries over the water. Dusk or early morning is most active.
  4. Swimming Pool: The basin beneath the lower falls is where most visitors cool off. The spray is strong, so waterproof your phone before you swim.
  5. Butterflies and Forest Birds: The sanctuary shelters many butterflies along the path, particularly near sunlit streams, as well as forest birds that a guide will help you spot.
  6. Wli Village: A small Ewe community where you can eat local meals, arrange a guide and see farming life. Staying a night makes the early start easier.
  7. Mount Afadja Combination: Nearby Mount Afadja, Ghana’s highest summit at about 885 meters, can be added by guided hike from Gbledi. It makes a strong second day.
I would start with the upper falls. The extra sweat gives you the quiet viewpoint the lower pool rarely has, and you still have time to swim below on the way back.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (November to March): Dry-season trails are firmest and safest, with highs around 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F) and cooler mornings near 20°C (68°F). Harmattan haze can flatten photos, but hiking is easiest. Christmas and Easter bring the biggest crowds and higher transport prices.
  • Early Rains (April to July): Showers are frequent, temperatures sit around 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), and the falls are at full thunder. Trails turn slick with mud, but crowds thin out and the forest is intensely green.
  • Short Dry Spell (August): Rain eases a little, with similar temperatures and fewer visitors. Water volume stays good for photos.
  • Late Rains (September to October): Heavy downpours can make the upper trek difficult. Daylight runs about 11.5 to 12.5 hours all year, so start before 9 a.m. for upper falls.
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (November to March): Dry-season trails are firmest and safest, with highs around 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F) and cooler mornings near 20°C (68°F). Harmattan haze can flatten photos, but hiking is easiest. Christmas and Easter bring the biggest crowds and higher transport prices.
  • Early Rains (April to July): Showers are frequent, temperatures sit around 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F), and the falls are at full thunder. Trails turn slick with mud, but crowds thin out and the forest is intensely green.
  • Short Dry Spell (August): Rain eases a little, with similar temperatures and fewer visitors. Water volume stays good for photos.
  • Late Rains (September to October): Heavy downpours can make the upper trek difficult. Daylight runs about 11.5 to 12.5 hours all year, so start before 9 a.m. for upper falls.
Go on a weekday in late July or August for full water and quiet paths.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
ghana-unique-site-wli-waterfalls v1
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutGhana Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Ghana
The digital guide (321 pages) contains:
✅ 105 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Wli village is the best place to stay for the falls, because you can walk to the visitor center in the morning and beat the day-trippers. Guesthouses and small community-run lodgings here are basic, quiet and cheap, and the village shop and chop bars handle dinner. Expect cold showers, fans and early nights, plus evening conversation with your guide. This is the pick for upper falls hikers who want an early start.

Hohoe, about 30 to 45 minutes away by shared taxi, is the practical alternative. It is the regional hub with an ATM, markets, more restaurants and frequent transport to Ho, Accra and … read more 👉
Wli village is the best place to stay for the falls, because you can walk to the visitor center in the morning and beat the day-trippers. Guesthouses and small community-run lodgings here are basic, quiet and cheap, and the village shop and chop bars handle dinner. Expect cold showers, fans and early nights, plus evening conversation with your guide. This is the pick for upper falls hikers who want an early start.

Hohoe, about 30 to 45 minutes away by shared taxi, is the practical alternative. It is the regional hub with an ATM, markets, more restaurants and frequent transport to Ho, Accra and the Togo border. Guesthouses here are more varied, and you can meet other travelers heading around the Volta Region. It works well if you also plan to visit Tafi Atome or Mount Afadja.

Gbledi and the villages around Mount Afadja suit hikers who want a mountain base and local homestay-style stays. They are quiet and safe, but transport is thinner, so arrange rides ahead.

For a more social base, Ho is the larger town with more nightlife and a bigger choice of lodging, but it is about two hours from Wli. All of these areas are generally safe for solo travelers when you stick to daylight transport.
Best hostels in Ghana


Best quality hotels in Ghana

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Wli Waterfalls can be visited on roughly US$25 to 45 a day, including lodging, food, entry and local transport. Prices are approximate and fees can change, so check at the visitor center on arrival.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry and guideUS$5 to 15Entry is cheaper for Ghanaian residents, and a guide is required for the upper falls. Camera fees may apply.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25Basic guesthouses in Wli or Hohoe, usually with fan and shared or simple private bath.
FoodUS$4 to 10Local meals like fufu, banku with tilapia or rice and stew cost a few dollars at chop bars.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Shared taxis between Hohoe and Wli are inexpensive, and a motorbike taxi costs a bit more.
Long-distance transportUS$8 to 18Accra to Hohoe by bus or tro-tro takes roughly 5 to 7 hours depending on the
… read more 👉
Wli Waterfalls can be visited on roughly US$25 to 45 a day, including lodging, food, entry and local transport. Prices are approximate and fees can change, so check at the visitor center on arrival.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry and guideUS$5 to 15Entry is cheaper for Ghanaian residents, and a guide is required for the upper falls. Camera fees may apply.
AccommodationUS$10 to 25Basic guesthouses in Wli or Hohoe, usually with fan and shared or simple private bath.
FoodUS$4 to 10Local meals like fufu, banku with tilapia or rice and stew cost a few dollars at chop bars.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Shared taxis between Hohoe and Wli are inexpensive, and a motorbike taxi costs a bit more.
Long-distance transportUS$8 to 18Accra to Hohoe by bus or tro-tro takes roughly 5 to 7 hours depending on the route and traffic.
ExtrasUS$2 to 6Water, snacks, tips for guides and a waterproof bag for your phone.
Carry small cash, since there are few ATMs in Wli itself.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Wli Waterfalls are a pair of waterfalls in the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary in Ghana’s Volta Region, close to the Togo border. The lower falls drop roughly 30 meters and the upper falls are commonly quoted at about 80 meters, making them among the tallest in West Africa. The site is run with local community involvement, and a guide is required for the upper trek.
Plan on a full day, or ideally one night in the area. The lower falls need about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip including time to swim, and the upper falls hike takes around 3 to 4 hours there and back with a guide. Most travelers stay overnight in Wli or Hohoe, which makes an early start easier and lets you add Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary or Mount Afadja the next day.
Take a bus or tro-tro from Accra to Hohoe, which takes about 5 to 7 hours, then a shared taxi to Wli village, about 30 to 45 minutes. Fares for the Hohoe to Wli leg are usually only a few dollars. From Ho the trip to Hohoe takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Wli is about 25 kilometers from Hohoe, and the visitor center sits at the village edge.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ghanaian landmarks near Wli Waterfalls

Explore more nearby:

  • Boti Falls—Twin cascades, Umbrella Rock, Krobo hill forest, sacred pool| 136 km away
  • Kintampo Waterfalls—Terraced falls, swimming pools, picnic shelters, Brong-Ahafo roadside stop| 274 km away
  • Cape Coast Castle—Dungeons, Door of No Return, whitewashed ramparts, museum rooms| 302 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Ghana including Wli Waterfalls and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all landmarks

Or checkout all Ghana has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Ghana
Country photo of Ghana
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Wli is worth it for the upper falls hike alone. Wading through streams, hearing the bats and finally feeling cold spray on your face is the kind of reward you rarely get at busier Ghanaian sights. The drawback is distance: it takes most of a day from Accra, and mud in the rains can make the trek slow. Pack proper shoes and plan a night nearby.

✈️ When did I visit Ghana?
Ghana I visited in December 2024, starting in Accra following the coast, then up north to Mole National park to finish in the Volta Region.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ghana, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, 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.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story