Visiting
Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli
Ghana
Photo: Ben Phalan
Birding tours
Birdquest, Birdwatching Breaks, Greentours, Rockjumper and Sarus Bird Tours and Sunbird operate tours to Ghana.
Guides
Richard Cruse, who lives in France, is available to lead tours to Ghana. He has led about 27 tours to West Africa including five tours to Ghana. He can be contacted on rmbc@wanadoo.fr.
It may also be possible to find guides at the Ghana Wildlife Society - see contacts for addresses.
Williams Apreku is a guide for the Shai Hills Reserve and areas surrounding it. He has taken quite a few international guests for a few days around the reserve and the neighbouring habitat. He can be contacted at 028 501 5437.
Trip reports
The following trip reports are both available from the African Bird Club at Online Sales.
Birding Ghana (Feb 1996) by Mindy and Sherif El Din. 39 pages: sections on orientation, itinerary, some site descriptions, a table of species seen each day, plus extra notes on birding hints and etiquette in Ghana with more site suggestions.
Ghana Trip Report (Jan-Feb 1997) by Simon Plat. 35 pages: complements Birding Ghana report, especially for travel by public transport; with checklist of 220 species, detailed itinerary and site guides including the coast between Accra and Takoradi, Kakum National Park, Subri Forest Reserve, Kumasi, Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa and Mole National Park.
Logistics
Ghana Airways operates from Kotoka Airport in Accra to almost every country in West Africa, as well as flights to New York and London. Buses, taxis and minibuses run between Ghana and Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo.
Vehicle hire is difficult and very expensive, for example a minivan for nine people costs around $US 200 per day. Government-run buses connect most major towns and some smaller ones but it's usually better to travel with any of the private bus companies.
The driving standard is good, if somewhat fast, and the main roads generally are in excellent condition though there are some badly potholed stretches between Kumasi and Tamale, and almost all secondary roads are unsealed. Getting from Tamale into Mole can be tricky but backpackers manage it somehow. One enthusiast even cycled from Germany. The general signposting on roads is adequate. Camping is possible when at Mole National Park but perhaps not elsewhere. The Encarta map of Ghana is okay if no other can be found.
Further information can be found at Lonely Planet.
Safety
Safety issues encountered are no different from those met in many other African countries. Guidebooks, travel companies and websites provide much of the advice one needs, but some key points warrant repetition here. (1) be aware of the risk of malaria, seek current advice, sleep in a sealed tent or under a net and take prophylaxis as recommended. (2) always ensure you have sufficient water and some method of purification (even if this comprises a pot and a campfire for boiling). (3) do not underestimate the danger of being in the sun too long. Ensure you use sun-block and drink plenty of water, and wear a hat. (4) The incidence of Aids is high. (5) Ensure that you take a reasonably-equipped first-aid pack with you including supplies of hypodermic and suturing needles.
See the following websites or your local embassy site for the latest safety and travel information http://travel.state.gov and UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Last page update 23rd February 2008
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