National Parks in Ghana
The West African country of Ghana was long known as the Gold Coast, a reference to the country’s rich gold deposits. Ghana is not only abundant in precious raw materials but also in diverse and spectacular wildlife and plant life…
Large parts of the country are covered by dense tropical rainforest, which is home to numerous living creatures and plants. The designated protected areas are very well developed for tourists and are therefore very popular with holidaymakers.
The Mole National Park
The perhaps best-known and at the same time most impressive national park in the entire country is the Mole National Park, located in northern Ghana. In 2011, the park celebrated its 40th anniversary; it was founded in 1971. With a size of 2,500 km², the Mole National Park is not the largest protected area in Ghana, but visitors here still encounter the most diverse wildlife and flora in the neighboring country of Ivory Coast.
The national park is dotted with small waterways, along whose banks gallery forests can be found. Away from the water, the tree savanna provides ample food for the inhabitants of the area. Rain falls here year-round, with the exception of the warm months in spring. Currently, around 100 animal species live in the park, including a few elephants and primates. On a visit, travelers are more likely to encounter wild animals such as cheetahs, lions and large herds of buffalo and kob antelopes.
The Kakum National Park
This very appealing and well-developed national park is located in central Ghana. It is near the tourist regions of Cape Coast and Abrafo, making it easy to reach. The protected area covers an area of about 350 km²; the area was only designated as a national park 20 years ago. The entire area is characterized by dense rainforest. Visitors traverse the park on special suspension bridges that have been built between the clearings.
The Kakum National Park is known as the home of rare animal species. A few forest elephants, civet cats or forest buffaloes live here under the protection of trained rangers. In addition to an impressive wildlife, the flora of the park is also unique. Some plants that are native only to this area can be admired in the Kakum National Park.
The Digya National Park
The Digya National Park is located on the shore of Lake Volta and, with an area of 3,124 km², is the largest national park in the country. It offers similar vegetation to the Mole National Park; along the water, gallery forests shape the landscape. Rainfall is rarer here, although the area, due to its proximity to the lake, always provides sufficient food.
The protected area is known for its large fish population. Outside the water, rare guenons and various antelope species can be encountered. To this day, the park is home to the largest elephant population in Ghana. However, the population is suffering from poaching, which has still not been brought under control in this park.
