The rainforest
Tall trees draped in climbers.
SAgbley — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francesco Veronesi from Italy — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Akiwumi — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Akiwumi — CC BY-SA 3.0 · SAgbley — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ankasa Conservation Area is a rainforest in southwestern Ghana, near the border with Côte d'Ivoire. Covering about 500 square kilometres, it brings together Nini-Suhien National Park to the north and Ankasa Forest Reserve to the south, and it is the only protected area in Ghana within the wet evergreen rainforest belt. Its forest is the most biologically diverse in Ghana, with over 800 vascular plant species, 639 butterfly species and more than 190 bird species. Animals include elephant, bongo, leopard, western chimpanzee and Diana monkey. Apart from the forest reserve, selectively logged until 1976, the area is almost intact, and BirdLife International has named it an Important Bird Area. You walk among tall trees draped in climbers, broad-leaved plants and still pools, while the Ankasa, Nini and Suhien rivers run through with rapids and waterfalls. Large animals are hard to spot in such thick forest, so the experience rests more on sounds, butterflies and birds. From higher ground you see a green sea of trees under heavy clouds. The reserve lies about 30.5 km from Beyin and 267.5 km from Accra in a straight line. Roads and facilities are limited, so arrange your visit ahead with the wildlife authority and take a guide. It is humid here, so bring insect repellent and quick-drying clothes, ask your doctor about malaria and stay on the trails.
Tall trees draped in climbers.
Calm water among the plants.
Hundreds of species along the trails.
Southwest Ghana, near the Côte d'Ivoire border
It is not guaranteed in such thick forest, and the experience centres more on birds and butterflies.
Yes, as facilities are limited, so contact the wildlife authority and take a guide.