Betraying its presence with clipped hisses as it surveys the area, the white-necked rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) uses its long, slender legs to bounce effortlessly from rock to rock in the Upper Guinea forests of Ghana.
The West African country is home to a variety of fascinating and poorly understood species. Gravely endangered Ghana animals, including black-bellied/long-tailed (Phataginus tetradactyla) and white-bellied (tree) pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) reside here, with the country arguably being Africa's best destination in which to seek them safely.
But there's an urgent need for intensification of conservation efforts. The bushmeat trade remains rampant in tropical Africa and, due to a soaring human population, there's continuing pressure on remaining forests.
Key National Parks and Wildlife Reserves
Kakum National Park
Kakum’s canopy walkway is regarded as Africa’s best. (Photo: Derek Schuurman)
Best known for its 350-metre canopy walkway, Kakum National Park is a premier site for bird watchers in southern Ghana. Grab your binoculars and scan the sea of green for its avian delights which include white-crested (Horizocerus albocristatus) and brown-cheeked hornbills (Bycanistes cylindricus), blue cuckooshrike (Cyanograucalus azureus) and many other birds of the Upper Guinea forests. By day, you might also see other wildlife of Ghana, like the lesser spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista) and, with some luck, a black-bellied (long-tailed) pangolin. While by night, some unusual critters such as Pel’s anomalure (Anomalurus pelii) can be sought.
Ankasa Reserve
‘Waterhole Number One’ in Ankasa Reserve is home to West African dwarf crocodiles and a thriving colony of blue-billed malimbes. (Photo: Derek Schuurman)
Not far from the Ivory Coast border in far southwest Ghana, Ankasa Reserve spans approximately 500 km², most of its habitat being lush, tropical rainforest. If you’re a mammal watching fan, night walks are a pivotal part of the Ankasa experience. For starters, you might see the bizarre hammer-headed bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus) – mainland Africa’s biggest bat species.
During his October 2024 visit, our Alternative Africa Product Manager Derek Schuurman spotted five of the fascinating creatures at a fruiting tree in the lodge garden: one flying above Park HQ and, later, several raucous males at a ‘lek’ site. He also saw three West African pottos (Perodicticus potto) and, at one of the ‘waterholes’, West African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis) two separate times.
Not only that, but birding in Ankasa is off the charts! Highlights include the Nkulengu rail (Himantornis haematopus) with its unearthly calls; red-billed dwarf hornbill (Lophoceros camurus); blue-headed wood dove (Turtur brehmeri) and a cluster of colourful sunbirds.
The abundance of butterfly species in Ankasa also leaves a lasting impression on visitors. As a whole, Ghana’s butterfly diversity is bewildering, with more than 900 species making it one of West Africa’s most rewarding destinations for lepidopterists.
Janetta forester (Euphaedra janetta) in the Ashanti region. (Photo: Bill Berthet)
Mole National Park
Tourists in Mole National Park photographing African savanna elephants. (Photo: Ashanti African Tours)
Northern Ghana is where you’ll find much drier habitat. Mole National Park protects 4,840km² of undulating dry savannah woodland habitat. Surrounding a peaceful waterhole in the middle of the park, this is where you have the chance to see large mammals including African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana), hippos and some of the antelope, which gather to drink. All birding itineraries include a visit to Mole National Park, too, as this is where you’ll seek many dry country specials.
Ghana Mammals
While some 225 mammal species have been recorded in Ghana, it’s important to note that the more sought-after species are scarce, often nocturnal and confined to protected areas.
With the help of your experienced, expert local guide and trackers, the potential to see extraordinary and endangered Ghana wildlife is boosted.
Here are some of Ghana's flagship animals high on the wish lists of visiting wildlife enthusiasts, including threatened species and endangered mammals.
Black-bellied (long-tailed) pangolin
Black-bellied (long-tailed) pangolin in Kakum National Park. (Photo: Derek Schuurman, October 2024)
To defend itself against predators, pangolins such as the diurnally active black-bellied (long-tailed) pangolin curl up into a ball, resembling a large pinecone. A sighting of these utterly fascinating, gentle and vulnerable animals is high on the lifetime bucket list of visiting wildlife enthusiasts. Kakum is regarded as the best locality in which to try for a sighting of this species.
White-bellied (tree) pangolin
Smaller in stature than it's black-bellied counterpart, the equally gravely threatened white-bellied pangolin is most active at night. One of the best places in Ghana at which to seek this rarity is the Nyamebe Bepo Forest Reserve by Bonkro village in the Ashanti region.
West African potto
West African potto in Kakum. (Photo: Jon Hall, Mammalwatching.com)
Gingerly moving through dense canopy, the West African potto performs its 'crypsis' movement to make itself harder for predators to spot them. These adorable prosimians are nocturnal, eating fruits and invertebrates in the wet season and gum from trees in the dry season. They are especially reliably spotted during night walks or drives at Ankasa.
Pel's anomalure
Pel’s anomalure, which can measure just shy of a metre from nose to tail tip and weigh up to 1.8kg, in Ankasa. (Photo: courtesy of Lucas Lombardo)
Anomalures are strictly nocturnal African flying squirrels which inhabit tropical forests of Central and West Africa. Largest of these is the striking black- and- white Pel's anomalure, which can be seen during night walks in Kakum and Ankasa. Experienced guides know which tree cavities they shelter in by day, so can take you to the target location at dusk, where you wait quietly for the animals to emerge just after nightfall. Seeing one of them launch into the air and glide from tree to tree in the Ghanaian forest setting is a magical mammal watching experience!.
Hammer-headed bat
Hammer-headed bat. (Photo: Jon Hall, Mammalwatching.com)
Mainland Africa’s largest megabat is also the most sexually dimorphic of all bat species. The English name - and the aptly placed 'monstrosus' in its scientific name, come from the bizarre appearance of the males, which are almost twice as heavy as females and have enlarged vocal cords, enabling them to amplify their vocalisations considerably. It’s these enlarged vocal cords which give the males their swollen-faced appearance – the females look more like other flying foxes (fruit bats). The most reliable site for them in Ghana is Ankasa, where there's a known lek site at which males congregate, creating a racket with their honking calls.
Phenomenal Bird Species in Ghana
Ghana is a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts, with over 750 bird species recorded in the country. Kakum National Park, Ankasa Reserve, Nyamebe Bepo Forest Reserve (Bonkro) and Mole National Park are among the most outstanding birding sites, providing you with an abundance of birdlife to enjoy.
"One of Africa’s most impressive birding experiences is observing the white-necked picathartes (rockfowls) in Nyamebe Bepo forest near Bonkro. In the late afternoon, your guide and trackers will take you to a forested hilltop where, at a cave site, you wait quietly on a bench close by. ‘Showtime’ starts when the birds arrive at the site and lope over the rocks to their roosting places – they’re well habituated and, as you’re so close by, there’s no need for binoculars or a scope." - Derek Schuurman, Product Manager for Madagascar and Alternative Africa
Picathartes
The iconic picathartes (or white-necked rockfowl) is restricted to Upper Guinea forests and best sought in Ghana. These slim, crow/roadrunner-like birds have very particular nesting requirements - usually, they’ll construct their mud nests in caves or overhangs on a hilltop within rainforest.
Violet turaco
This gorgeous frugivore is fairly social, tending to travel in pairs or small groups. Extremely vocal, the violet turaco (Musophaga violacea) is more often heard than seen and is best searched for in drier places: good sites for it include Shai Hills Resource Reserve and the Achimota Forest in the middle of Accra.
White-crested hornbill
White-crested hornbill in the early morning sun seen from Kakum Canopy Walkway, October 2024. (Photo: Foster Frimpong)
The white-crested hornbill is an odd-looking bird, its bright white quiff contrasting with its long, graduated black tail. Listen out for its remarkable calls. The species is known for following monkeys foraging in its forest home.
Reptiles and Amphibians in Ghana
West African dwarf crocodile, a mostly solitary reptile which inhabits ponds deep in Ankasa rainforest.
While Ghana has a reasonable species list when it comes to ‘herps’ (reptiles and amphibians), you may go for a long time without seeing a single gecko, snake or lizard.
Among its ‘herps’, top of most wildlife enthusiasts' bucket lists is the West African dwarf crocodile, which is the world's smallest crocodilian. It can reliably be spotted alongside other Ghana wild animals with the help of guides in waterbodies deep in Ankasa rainforest.
Conservation & Communities in Ghana
Mr Adimah, a cacao farmer from Bonkro, explains the intricacies of Ghana's thriving cacao industry during a community-based excursion. (Photo: Derek Schuurman)
The work being conducted by private concerns to help preserve these endangered species is truly inspirational. Our exemplary Ghanaian DMC, for example, employs people from resident communities for Ankasa Lodge and Picathartes Guest House. Enjoyable and well managed community-based excursions are offered too – guests can learn how to cook (delicious!) traditional food, meet traditional healers and get to grips with the processes of the thriving cacao industry. Direct involvement of resident people has yielded a positive result for the Nyamebe Bepo Forest Reserve in particular. Nowadays, less trees are being cut down and wildlife is being protected and appreciated.
Seek Ghana Animals with Wildlife Tours and Safaris
Alternative Africa Product Manager Derek Schuurman in Kakum, October 2024. (Photo: Foster Frimpong)
During your adventure, you're bound to encounter some of the truly unusual species in Ghana's protected areas.
We currently offer three individual tours here. Our Ghana Culture, Wildlife & Coast example itinerary introduces you to vibrant culture which makes a visit to the country so compelling. Not only will you learn about important historical and cultural aspects from your expert guide, but you'll also see some rare Upper Guinea forest wildlife.
Our Ghana - Birds, Rare Mammals & Butterflies sample individual tour enables you to explore some wonderful sites. Take in experiences like the Kakum canopy walk, remote Ankasa Reserve and, finally, enjoy the remarkable community-based Picathartes excursion near Bonkro village. In doing so, you make a direct contribution to conservation and responsible tourism.
"If you've already explored Eastern and Southern Africa, West Africa presents something refreshingly different, with Ghana making for an excellent introduction to this comparatively poorly known part of the continent. Balmy tropical weather, welcoming people and rare Upper Guinea forest wildlife make it a wonderful place to visit if you're keen on something new which hasn’t yet been impacted by mass tourism." - Derek Schuurman, Product Manager for Madagascar and Alternative Africa
