Ankasa Reserve Holidays

Ankasa Conservation Area is in south-west Ghana, about 365 kilometres west of Accra and close to the border with Côte d'Ivoire. The beautiful, remote protected area incorporates the Nini Suhien National Park in the north and the Ankasa Forest Reserve in the south. It also spans about 500 km², most of its habitat being tropical evergreen rainforest - and is the sole protected area in Ghana located in the humid evergreen tropical high rainforest belt.

The Nini, Ankasa and Suhien Rivers flow through the park, and include scenic rapids and waterfalls. The area likely has the richest biodiversity in Ghana, with over 800 vascular plant species, 639 butterfly species and more than 190 bird species. Resident mammals - although skittish, can be sought during night walks in particular - during our October 2024 visit we easily found the likes of potto; Pel's anomalure and the bizarre hammer-headed bat. Birding is exceptional, with some of the many highlights including Nkulengo rail, blue-headed dove; long-tailed hawk; red-billed dwarf hornbill and crested, red-vented and blue-billed malimbes. Butterflies are everywhere. Apart from the forest reserve, which was selectively logged until 1976, the rest of the protected area is in excellent shape. Ankasa Lodge provides comfortable accommodation for those making it to this wonderful protected area.