You can base yourself in the capital city of Accra and still experience Ghana’s best sites by embarking on these 5 unique day trips.
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Cape Coast & Elmina
The historic towns of Cape Coast and Elmina is the best of the day trips from Ghana. The coast is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Site slave castles. Both played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Dating from 1482, Elmina Castle is one of the oldest European-built structures in sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of Africans were held here before being forced onto ships headed to the Americas. Tours of the castle take you through the dungeons where people were held prior to boarding the slave ships. As you hear about the horrific experiences of the enslaved people, remember it so that history will never repeat itself.
Cape Coast Castle dates from the 17th century and is smaller in size and scale than Elmina Castle. But the conditions enslaved people were held in are even more horrific. Dungeons are underground at Cape Coast Castle, so occupants had no sources of light at all.
After touring one or both castles, take the time to reflect on what you learned while you relax on a beautiful beach. The sand is golden and the water is turquoise. It’s a soothing site for a tortured soul. Then explore the towns to interact with the locals and sample local cuisine. And don’t miss stopping by the harbor to see the colorful fishing boats!
Kakum National Park
Also located in the Cape Coast, Kakum National Park is in a lush rainforest about an hour inland. It is a wonderful juxtaposition to the beauty of the coastline. Here you can experience the thrill of walking along the park’s seven suspension bridges suspended above the treetops of the forest.
The canopy walkways are exciting, but they attract a crowd! You will have a better chance to get up close and personal with the wildlife on a guided nature walk. Park rangers will lead you through well-maintained trails and point out monkeys, birds, butterflies, and plant species.
Nearby, you can visit Kakum Butterfly Sanctuary. Here you can take a guided tour to see hundreds of species of butterflies in their natural habitat.
Shai Hills Resource Reserve
Third on our list of day trips from Accra is Shai Hills Resource Reserve. This area was home to the Shai people until British colonists evicted them from the site. You can learn about the cultural heritage and history of the Shai while viewing archaeological sites, shrines, and traditional villages.
Wildlife is also abundant. You can take a guided safari drive or hike to see baboons, antelopes, monkeys, ostrich, zebra, and various bird species. And if you enjoy rock climbing and caving, you will love Shai Hills. There’s plenty of opportunities for adventure in the reserve’s rocking outcrops and caves.
Aburi Botanical Gardens & Boti Falls
If you are looking for day trips from Accra where you are immersed in nature, look no further! You can combine Aburi Botanical Gardens with a trip to Boti Falls. The botanical gardens are located about 45 minutes away from Accra. When you arrive at the gardens, take a leisurely stroll to admire the tropical plants, flowers, and trees. Or opt for a guided tour. Make sure to explore the various themed areas like Palm Avenue, Bamboo Grove, and Orchid House.
Then you will drive about 2 hours to Boti Falls. Once you arrive, take a scenic hike to the Upper Boti Falls. The round trip hike will take you about 1-1.5 hours and gives you breathtaking views of the lush rainforest. Then take the time for a photo opp with Umbrella Rock, a unique rock formation resembling an umbrella. Finally, take the path to descend to Lower Boti Falls. After this busy day, you will be ready for a refreshing swim that is available in the pool at the base of the falls.
Akosombo Dam & Lake Volta
Our final suggestion on this list of day trips for Accra is Akosombo Dam and Lake Volta. Akosombo Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric dams in West Africa. Inside tours of the dam aren’t available at this time, but you can hire a guide to take you to various viewpoints and explain how the dam works. Then you can spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Volta, the largest manmade lake in the world.
Logistics for Day Trips from Accra
Generally, I don’t recommend renting a car and driving Accra. Traffic is crazy, roads aren’t well-maintained, and traffic laws are generally ignored. It’s safer to book a car and driver or take a public tour:
- Elmina Castle & Cape Coast Castle
- Cape Coast Castle & Kakum National Park
- Shai Hills Nature Preserve
- Aburi Botanical Garden & Boti Falls
- Akosombo Dam & Lake Volta
Which of these day trips from Accra are on your itinerary?
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