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Ghana: Upper Guinea Forest and Pre-Sahel Birding 2016
(Please ask us about “Owls of Ghana”, a trip we do by special request.)
Ghana must be the easiest West African country to travel in and thus gives relatively easy access
to a very large number of West African endemics – as well as good access to some star North
African birds. Birding tours in Ghana are truly exciting: The country has 180 of the GuineaCongo Forests biome birds, including 12 out of the 15 Upper Guinea Forest endemics, 11 of
which are of global conservation concern. These 180 species are West and Central African
rainforest birds, some of them reaching as far east as the DRC/Uganda border, but most of them
are found only with difficulty outside of West Africa, making Ghana a very convenient country
for finding them. This little country also boasts 37 Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome birds – this
biome is a strip of savanna just south of the Sahel of North Africa. It is also possible to access
the edge of the Sahel itself within Ghana for sought-after species such as Egyptian Plover.
Ghana boasts a 100 percent success rate for finding White-necked Rockfowl (Yellow-headed
Picathartes), a fine representative of a completely West African family. The people of Ghana are
also superbly welcoming and friendly, and fluent in English, enhancing the overall experience.
Please note that the detailed itinerary below cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide
and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation,
updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the
guides and other factors.
Itinerary (22 days/21 nights)
Day 1. Arrival in Accra
You will be met upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, which is situated on the
beautiful “Gold Coast” (Ghana’s former name as a British colony) of Western Africa. Make
yourself known to your guides, who will be accompanying you during your birding in Ghana,
and they will take care of you from here. After boarding our air-conditioned vehicle, which will
be your mode of transport for the duration of your Ghana birding tour, we transfer you to your
hotel, which is situated a 10-minute drive from the airport in Accra. Once you have checked in,
our experienced guides will offer you Akwaaba (welcome) and brief you on all aspects of your
trip. You can enjoy your evening meal (depending on your arrival time) at the hotel restaurant
while acclimatizing yourself to Africa. Time permitting we will bird on the hotel grounds today,
but this is basically a travel day.
Overnight: Tulip Inn, Accra
Day 2. Birding Winneba Lagoon and Kakum surrounds
As the vast majority of international flights arrive in Ghana late in the evening, we take a relaxed
breakfast on our first morning, allowing us time to acclimatize to Western Africa and also to
recharge our batteries after traveling the previous day. We check out of our hotel at 9 a.m.,
enabling us to miss the worst of the famous Accra rush hour traffic, as we head west towards
Winneba Lagoon, set in a beautiful location. On our arrival we hope to see Royal, Black, and
Caspian Terns, White-fronted Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper,
Common Tern, Grey Plover, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Wood
Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, Eurasian Oystercatcher,
Sandwich Tern, Common Redshank, and Common Greenshank, among other species.
After a wonderful morning we have lunch in Winneba before setting off for Jukwa and the
Rainforest Lodge, our accommodation for the next three nights while we visit Kakum National
Park. After we have checked into our accommodation we set off for late afternoon/early evening
birding around the farmland scrub of Jukwa, where we hope to see Red-headed Quelea,
Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Village and Compact Weavers,
Splendid and Copper Sunbirds, and Red-faced and Whistling Cisticolas, among other
species. We will visit a small forest close to our lodge and try for Fraser’s Eagle-Owl and
Long-tailed Nightjar before returning to our accommodation for our evening meal and
checklist.
Overnight Rainforest Lodge, Jukwa
Day 3. Birding Kakum National Park
After an early breakfast we head for the world-famous canopy walkway at Kakum National Park,
which is approximately a 15-minute drive from our lodge. We aim to get there for first-light
birding, 40 meters above the forest floor. The 360 km² Kakum National Park protects secondary
Upper Guinea tropical rainforest, and the species we hope to see from the canopy include Congo
Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Blue Cuckooshrike, Sabine’s Puffback, Sharpe’s Apalis,
beautiful Yellow-mantled Weaver, at least two malimbe species, a host of Sunbirds including
the beautiful and unique Buff-throated, Green Hylia, Violet-backed Hyliota, Chestnutcapped Flycatcher, Ussher’s Flycatcher, three different negritas, Grey Longbill, beautiful
Forest and White-headed Wood Hoopoes, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, several Barbets
including Yellow-spotted and Hairy-breasted, Red-fronted Parrot, Grey Parrot, and so many
other great species!
We then have lunch at our hotel, and during the heat of the day you can either rest
(recommended) or the guide can take you birding. We revisit the canopy in the evening, when
our main targets will be Brown-cheeked Hornbill, two massive Hornbills (Black-casqued and
Yellow-casqued), Brown Nightjar, and Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, among other specials.
Our evening will be spent at the hotel restaurant and bar, discussing the day’s sightings, adding
to our checklist, and enjoying the atmosphere of our surroundings.
Overnight: Rainforest Lodge, Jukwa
Day 4. Birding Kakum National Park
This morning we will visit the Antwikwaa section of Kakum National Park, hoping to add some
amazing birds to our growing list – White-throated Bee-eater, Rosy Bee-eater, Black Beeeater, Blue-throated Roller, Piping Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-spotted
Flufftail, Cassin’s Spinetail, Sabine’s Spinetail, and many others.
We then go to a river site for the beautiful White-bibbed (White-throated Blue) Swallow,
Preuss’s Cliff Swallow, Rock Pratincole, White-headed Lapwing, and other water-associated
birds. In the afternoon we will concentrate our attention on the many trails within and
surrounding the park, which should prove to be very productive. We hope to find White-tailed
Alethe, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Grey-headed Bristlebill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Red-billed
Dwarf Hornbill, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Forest Robin, Yellow-billed Turaco, Firebellied Woodpecker, Melancholy Woodpecker, and many others.
Overnight: Rainforest Lodge, Jukwa
Day 5. Transfer to Nsuta Forest
Awe will have another early start this morning, as we visit a different section of Kakum National
Park, hoping to see species we may have missed previously. Our main targets will be Red-billed
Helmetshrike, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Forest Penduline Tit, Rufous-sided
Broadbill, Western Bluebill, Black-winged Oriole, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, various
Cuckoos including Yellow-throated, and Willcocks’s Honeyguide.
We leave after the morning session and set off for Nsuta Forest in the western region of Ghana
for what should be a major highlight of your time with us. We arrive in the afternoon and check
into our accommodation before departing to the forest. We bird until late, looking for the much
sought-after and difficult Rufous Fishing Owl and Akun Eagle-Owl, Spot-breasted Ibis, and
Brown Nightjar, as well as other specials. But please be aware that these species are difficult
and not guaranteed.
After birding we make the one-hour drive back to our small and basic guesthouse, where we will
enjoy our evening meal and checklist.
Overnight D & A Guesthouse, Sekondi
Day 6. Birding Nsuta Forest and transfer to Ankasa National Park
An early start as we dedicate the morning of day 6 to revisit Nsuta Forest, spending a few hours
and hoping to add more species to our list. We hope to find Piping and Black Dwarf Hornbills,
Copper-tailed and Chestnut-winged Starlings, Red-billed Helmetshrike, Swamp Palm
Bulbul, Crested and Red-vented Malimbes, and Black Bee-eater, to mention just a few.
We leave the forest after some good birding and set off for the Ankasa Conservation Area in the
extreme western region of Ghana for what should be another major highlight of your Ghana
birding tour. Ankasa is Ghana’s only pristine, wet, evergreen Upper Guinea rainforest.
We arrive in the late afternoon, having had lunch en route, and check into our campsite before
heading out for early-evening birding. We hope to see one of Africa’s most sought-after but
rarely seen owls, Akun Eagle-Owl. We have three nights of fully-equipped camping right at the
best birding part of Ankasa. We camp here instead of staying at the only available
accommodation, which is very basic and nearly a two-hours drive away.
Overnight: Campsite, Ankasa National Park
Days 7 -- 8. Birding Ankasa National Park
Amazing Ankasa! We hope to find Hartlaub’s Duck, African Finfoot, Dwarf Bittern,
Crowned Eagle, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-billed Turaco, Yellow-casqued, Black-casqued,
Piping, Red-billed Dwarf, and Black Dwarf Hornbills, and many others. Stops at pools should
yield White-bellied Kingfisher as well as Shining-blue Kingfisher, and Chocolate-backed
Kingfisher can be found away from water. We’ll also try for Rufous-winged, Pale-breasted,
and Brown Illadopsis, a veritable host of greenbuls, Red-fronted Antpecker, and many more.
We’ll try our best for Nkulengu Rail, and if we are very lucky, which sometimes we are, Whitebreasted Guineafowl.
Overnight: Campsite, Ankasa National Park
Day 9, Birding Ankasa and Brenu Beach
Our final morning in Ankasa. Additional species we hope to see include Red- and Green-tailed
Bristlebills, Yellow-bearded, Western Bearded, Plain, and Red-tailed Greenbuls, Blueheaded Wood Dove, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Square-tailed
Saw-wing, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Black-throated Coucal, Cassin’s Spinetail,
Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Red-chested Owlet, the difficult White-crested Tiger Heron,
Spot-breasted Ibis, and the rarely-seen Grey-throated Rail.
After enjoying lunch at our campsite we set off towards Kakum National Park and stop over at a
mangrove habitat, where we hope to find Reichenbach’s and Blue-throated Brown Sunbirds,
Orange Weaver, and sometimes Giant Kingfisher, among other species.
We continue to Brenu Beach road, where we aim to see Vieillot’s Barbet, Preuss’s Cliff
Swallow, Marsh Tchagra, Oriole Warbler, and Red-winged Pytilia.
We then continue to Rainforest Lodge for our evening meal, the checklist, and to reflect on
another productive day.
Overnight Rainforest Lodge, Jukwa
Day 10 Abrafo Forest, searching for White-necked Rockfowl, transfer to Kumasi
We have an early start (like most days) as we check out of our lodge and head towards Kakum
National Park. Depending on which species we still need from this habitat, we will either walk
forest trails or bird Abrafo Forest, aiming to see species we may have missed previously. We
bird until around 10 a.m. before setting off for the main reason most birders travel to Western
Africa, the legendary White-necked Rockfowl. We stop for lunch en-route.
After enjoying our lunch we set off for a remote village. On arrival we trek into a nearby forest –
our destination is a nesting site for one of the most sought-after birds in the world, the
prehistoric-looking White-necked Rockfowl! There are around 30 nests at this location, and
catching a glimpse of this remarkable bird is an amazing feeling.
Once everyone has enjoyed good views we set off for Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region. On
arrival we check into our hotel and enjoy a cold drink over our evening meal, while reflecting on
one of the most memorable birding days of our lives.
Overnight: Royal Basin Resort, Kumasi
Day 11 Birding Offinsu Forest before transferring to Mole National Park
We have an early start as we set off for Offinsu Forest, which is en route to Mole National Park.
Our main aim is to find the much sought-after Blue-moustached Bee-eater (formerly Blue-
headed Bee-eater) at this productive forest. We also hope to see Fiery-breasted, Lagden’s, and
Many-colored Bushshrikes, Forest Robin, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Capuchin Babbler,
Violet-backed Hyliota, Ussher’s Flycatcher, Thick-billed Honeyguide, and Cassin’s
Honeybird, to mention just a few species possible.
After a few hours of birding we set off on our journey northwards, entering a completely
different habitat full of completely new birds! As we head north towards Mole National Park we
can expect to see a host of different bird species en route. as we gradually enter the broad-leaf
dry Guinea woodland and savanna plains of northern Ghana.
On our arrival at Mole National Park we check into the Mole Hotel, which is the only
accommodation in the area. Situated on a 250 meter high escarpment, overlooking the 4840km²
park, it offers breathtaking views. It is an amazing feeling to be sitting around the pool on the
hotel terrace and watching African savanna elephants bathing in the two nearby watering holes,
which are inhabited by crocodiles.
After our evening meal we set off for an evening of birding around the Mole airstrip, where we
hope to see displaying Standard-winged Nightjar and other night birds.
Overnight: Mole Hotel, Mole National Park
Days 12 – 13. Birding Mole National Park
Over the next two days we will be setting off early after breakfast, walking in different sections
of the park. During our time here we hope to see Oriole Warbler, Chestnut-crowned SparrowWeaver, Lavender Waxbill, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Red-throated Bee-eater, Brownbacked Woodpecker, African Grey Woodpecker, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Senegal Batis,
various firefinches, the unusual Stone Partridge, Beautiful Sunbird, Pygmy
Sunbird, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and a long list of other tantalizing species. Raptors are
abundant. We’ll make excursions for specific birds such as African Spotted Creeper, various
lark species, Forbes’s Plover, and more. Pel’s Fishing Owl will sometimes put in an
appearance.
Overnight: Mole Hotel, Mole National Park
Day 14. Transfer to Bolgatanga, birding at Tongo Hills
After a final morning of birding on the terrace of the hotel and a hearty breakfast we depart for
Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. As we venture northwards, the landscape becomes even
drier. We pass through many villages and stop at Tamale for lunch and refreshments. Tamale is
Ghana’s third-largest city and is the capital of the Northern Region.
We visit the Tongo Hills before we arrive in Bolgatanga. There we enjoy some late-afternoon
birding. Some of our main target species will be Fox Kestrel, Rock-loving Cisticola, Whitecrowned Cliff Chat, and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, before we set off and check into our
hotel for our first evening in Bolgatanga.
Overnight: Premier Lodge, Bolgatanga
Day 15. Birding at Tono Dam, searching for Egyptian Plover
We have an early start as we prepare ourselves for another major highlight of our tour. We set
off towards a site for the beautiful Egyptian Plover, which has recently been declared a family
of its own. We dedicate the morning to birding the river and surrounding habitat, also hoping to
find the scarce and attractive Black-headed Lapwing, White-billed Buffalo Weaver, and many
more.
We return to our hotel for lunch before visiting the Tono Dam for late-afternoon and earlyevening birding. We hope to find a variety of waders, egrets, and herons, as well as Cut-throat
Finch, African Silverbill, Red-winged Pytilia, Black-bellied Firefinch, Northern Carmine
Bee-eater, the beautiful Abyssinian Roller, Four-banded Sandgrouse, and, as always, tons of
others, before returning to our hotel.
Overnight: Premier Lodge, Bolgatanga
Day 16. Transfer to Kumasi, birding Bobiri Forest Reserve on arrival
After an early breakfast we set off for Kumasi again, retracing our journey of a few days earlier.
En route we will stop for lunch and to stretch our legs. Before we set off on our final journey to
Kumasi; we will take a less busy, more remote route, bypassing the busy city of Kumasi to visit
Bobiri Forest Reserve for evening birding. Visiting Bobiri in the evening will give us another
opportunity to see Akun and Fraser’s Eagle-Owls, Brown Nightjar, and Latham’s Francolin.
After this welcome leg stretch we set off for Kumasi. On our arrival we will relax, enjoy our
evening meal, and prepare ourselves for an early start the following morning.
Overnight: Royal Basin Hotel, Kumasi
Day 17. Birding the Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary and Atewa Range Forest Reserve
We wake early to visit Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary. Upon our arrival we will search this lush
forest for African Piculet, Black-capped Apalis, Black-throated Coucal, Tessmann’s
Flycatcher, Tit Hylia, Afep Pigeon, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-footed
Honeyguide, Latham’s Francolin, Golden Greenbul, and rainforest birds we might have
missed previously. With luck, we might see Long-tailed Hawk.
In the afternoon we will start birding the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, where we might
find Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Blue-headed Coucal, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Compact
Weaver, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, and with luck Baumann’s Olive Greenbul.
After a hopefully highly productive day of birding we set off to our nearby guesthouse, enjoy our
evening meal, and discuss the day’s sightings after our checklist.
Overnight Nelsban Palace Hotel, Tafo
Day 18. Birding Atewa Range Forest Reserve
We have an early start this morning, as we dedicate the entire day to the Atewa Range. This is
another site in Ghana where we can see Blue-moustached Bee-eater. Other specialities include
the endangered Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Many-colored Bushshrike, Forest Scrub Robin,
Narina Trogon, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Forest Robin, Chocolate-backed
Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Fraser’s, Johanna’s, and Tiny Sunbirds, and Shining
Drongo, among others.
We take our lunch at the top of the range, allowing us more time for searching for the real
specialities Atewa has to offer, with our main target being the rare Nimba Flycatcher.
Our evening is spent at our hotel, resting up for the final morning’s birding at Atewa the
following day.
Overnight Nelsban Palace Hotel, Tafo
Day 19 Morning birding at Atewa, then transfer to Ho, evening birding Kalakpa
We pay a final morning’s visit to the Atewa Range, aiming to pick up species we may have
missed previously.
We freshen up, take lunch, and set off for Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta region of
Ghana. On our arrival we check into our hotel, and if time permits we set off for evening birding
at Kalakpa, with our main target species being Black-shouldered Nightjar and African Scops
Owl.
Overnight Chances Hotel, Ho
Day 20 Birding Kalakpa Resource Reserve
We dedicate the entire day birding at Kalakpa, which protects open savanna and forest species.
Our main targets will be Yellow-throated and Thick-billed Cuckoos, Red-cheeked Wattleeye, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Pied-winged Swallow,
and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, among others.
We return to our hotel for lunch before heading back to the reserve for night birding, after which
we return to the hotel for our final evening here in the Volta region of Ghana.
Overnight Chances Hotel, Ho
Day 21 Morning birding in Kalakpa, birding Shai Hills, transfer to Accra
We dedicate a final few hours to birding at Kalakpa before setting off for Accra and a visit to the
Shai Hills Resource Reserve. We stop at the beautiful Volta River for our lunch before setting
off for Shai Hills.
Here we have late-afternoon and early-evening birding, where our main target will be Redchested Owlet and Stone Partridge.
Then we head off to Accra and check into our hotel for the evening.
Overnight Tulip Inn, Accra
Day 22 Birding at Shai Hills and Sakamona Lagoon, departure
On your final day in Ghana, after an early breakfast we visit the nearby Shai Hills Resource
Reserve again, an expanse of grassland, savanna and woodland. The bird viewing here is
excellent, and we hope to find a plethora of exciting birds, such as Violet Turaco, Guinea
Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Rosy Bee-eater, Piapiac, Bluebellied Roller, Blackcap Babbler, Senegal Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird, and many others.
After a productive morning we enjoy lunch at a neighboring hotel, after which we visit the
nearby Ramsar site of Sakumono Lagoon. We hope to see a range of shorebirds and other waterassociated species, including Spotted Redshank and Pectoral Sandpiper, and often masses of
other species.
After some good birding we return to our hotel in Accra to freshen up and rearrange our bags in
preparation for our departure in the evening. We enjoy a late checkout before our final evening
meal and checklist together, after which we transfer you to the airport for your flights home after
a wonderful 22 days of birdwatching in Ghana.
Please note that we have lots of ground to cover on this tour, and sometimes driving distances
are quite long.
Duration: 22 days
Limit: 4 - 8
Date: 1 – 22 March 2016
Start: Accra
End: Accra
Price: £4149 per person sharing, single supplement £445
Price includes:
Accommodation (Please be aware that there are three nights of fully-equipped camping in
Ankasa National Park, since the only accommodation in the area is a two-hours drive away.
Accommodation on this tour can be more basic than on most of our tours, but we generally use
the best places available and stay as close to where the birds are as possible.)
Airport transfers
All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Mineral water
International tour leader and local guide
Park entrance fees
All guide fees
Excursion costs
Professional care and attention
Transportation in and around Ghana
Fuel
Price excludes:
Flights
Travel insurance
Ghana entry visas
Soft and alcoholic drinks
Gratuities
Gifts and other items of a purely personal nature