Kakum National Park

Kakum National park

Kakum National Park is the youngest nature reserve in Ghana, offering tourists to view the beauty of the rain forest and its inhabitants from canopied bridges 30-40 meters above the ground. The reserve was established in 1932 to protect the population of African elephants, antelopes and primates, and in 1994 it was opened to tourists. The territory of Kakum Park is small – it covers only 357 km².

Video: Suspension Bridge in Kakum National Park

General Information

Traveling between the tree crowns makes a strong impression. The local rainforests are so thick that it is difficult for the sun’s rays to penetrate through the green foliage. The beautiful climate and the abundance of plants contribute to the richness of the local fauna. Elephants, antelopes, buffaloes and yellow-backed duikers live in the Kakum Reserve. The forest thicket shelters forest cats, leopards, civets, varans, turtles, pygmy crocodiles, 7 species of primates, many beautiful butterflies and about 300 species of birds. Rare species among the feathered birds include the Senegalese and African gray crane, white-breasted guillemot, and Fraser’s owl.

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Most travelers come to Kakum National Park from May to October. For those interested in Ghana’s flora and fauna, there is a museum at the Wildlife Education Center. There is a gift store and restaurant next to the administration building. Of great interest is the Kakuma Tree House, built right in the crown of one of the giant trees. Many tourists do not limit themselves to a one-day tour of the park, but stay overnight at the camping grounds.

Walking in the tree crowns

From the Kakum National Park administration building to the suspension bridges, tourists walk up a narrow path. During the tour, the guide tells about the local rainforest, shows the oldest trees, which are up to 65 meters high, and introduces visitors to relict plants and rare animals.

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There are seven suspended paths in the crowns of the trees with a total length of 330 meters. They were erected on the initiative of biologist Joseph Dudley by two engineers who came to work in Ghana from Vancouver. The forest inhabitants are very easy to observe from fixed observation decks built around the tall trees.

Walking on the Kakuma suspension bridges may scare those with a fear of heights. However, fears are unnecessary. Suspension structure, nets and railings are very strong, so the life and health of tourists is not threatened. Moreover, the park administration carefully monitors the condition of the “air roads”. For the safety of visitors are asked that on each span there are no more than three people.”

How to get there

Kakum National Park is located in southern Ghana, 20 km north of the city of Cape Coast and 170 km from the capital Accra. The reserve is accessible from Cape Coast by tour buses, shuttle buses and cabs. The entrance to the national park is near the small village of Abrafo.