Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park is located in the southern central part of Ghana near the coast. The national park encompasses an area of 375 square km, with an elevation ranging from 135 to 250 metres. The park is named after the Kakum River which originates within the park.
The park boasts a diverse landscape, primarily characterised by tropical forest, which cover 90 percent of its area. Moist evergreen forests dominate the forested regions, complemented by swamp forests, riverine forests, and Boval vegetation.
One of the park’s main attractions is its canopy walkway, one of only three in Africa. Located in the dense tropical jungle of Kakum National Park, the unique canopy trail sits at 40 metres in the air. The trail comprises seven separate bridges that hang from the trees, crosses rivers and ravines and covers a distance of 350 metres.
Although the bridges look as though they are constructed like a traditional rope bridge made from the materials of the forest, they are sturdy structures made of wire rope, aluminum, and wooden planks, and safety netting to ensure visitors’ safety.
This canopy walkway offers not only an exhilarating adventure but also unparalleled opportunities for birdwatching and a chance to see animals that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. In addition, guided walks by park personnel on treks below the canopy provide visitors with intimate encounters with the park’s natural wonders, allowing for unique perspectives on the wilderness and its inhabitants.
Kakum National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including buffalo, forest elephants, civet, Colobus monkeys, red river hog, giant forest hog, pangolin, dwarf crocodile, and the North Africa crested porcupine. Notably, it harbours the densest population of forest elephants in Ghana, along with endangered species such as the Diana monkey, giant bongo antelope, yellow-backed duiker, and African elephant.
The park is also an Important Bird Area recognised by the BirdLife International with the bird area fully overlapping the park area. The bird inventory confirmed 266 species in the park, including eight of global conservation concern. Additionally, the park boasts over 600 butterfly species, adding to its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.