Kakum National Park

Kakum National Park protects a precious tract of dense, endangered West African rainforest in the south of Ghana, but its most famous and thrilling feature is its canopy walkway, one of only a handful in Africa. A series of narrow rope-and-plank suspension bridges strung between tall emergent trees, it lets visitors walk high above the forest floor, up to 40 metres among the treetops, with dizzying views over the green canopy and the chance, especially early in the morning, to spot forest birds and butterflies.

History

In 1931 the headwater catchment of the Kakum River was declared a forest reserve under the Forestry Division, and logging, especially of mahogany, continued until 1989, when the reserve passed to the Wildlife Department. A feasibility study and management plan for developing Kakum for ecotourism were drawn up in 1990 for the United Nations Development Programme, including surveys of the forest's plants, animals and elephants, and in 1992 the area was gazetted as the Kakum Conservation Area, then split that year into Kakum National Park and the Assin Attandanso reserve (Wikipedia, Kakum National Park).

What's there

• The canopy walkway - the suspension bridges high among the treetops.
• The rainforest - the dense West African forest and its trails.
• The birdlife and butterflies - the forest wildlife, best seen early.
• The forest walks - the guided ground-level nature trails.

When to go

November to March, the drier season, for the most comfortable weather; go early in the morning for the best chance of wildlife and to beat the heat and the crowds on the walkway. It pairs naturally with the Cape Coast castles nearby.

What to expect

The canopy walkway is the star attraction and a genuine thrill, though it wobbles and is not for those with a serious fear of heights, and it can get busy and queue, especially with school groups. Wildlife, especially the shy forest mammals, is hard to spot, so it is more about the walkway and the forest experience than big animals. It combines perfectly with the Cape Coast castles for a rich day.

Nearby

The Cape Coast and Elmina castles and the coast are nearby.

Key facts