7 Day Ghana Birding and Nature Tour
With 12 of the 15 West African Upper Guinea endemic species occurring in Ghana, its safe, friendly and hassle free environment and the most developed infrastructure of any West African country, Ghana is a must visit for any birding and nature enthusiast. Our 100% record of seeing the White-necked Rockfowl (Yellow-headed Picathartes) and Egyptian Plover (recently made a family of its own) ensures a spectacular trip awaits our potential tour participants. From the coastal lagoons, grassland savannah, upper guinea rainforest moving northwards through the broad leaved guinea woodland finally touching the Sahel savannah plains in the far north, Ghana offers a thorough coverage of all the core west African habitats.
Our expert local tour leaders are of an international standard, know all the birds by song/call and more importantly where to find them. This incredible English speaking country has over 760 bird species and Ashanti’s guides are experts not only in birds but also mammals, butterflies (Ghana has over 1000 species) flora and the culture and history of this welcoming ex British colony. In addition to having West Africa’s finest birding and nature tour leaders Ashanti African Tours are a company focused on ethical and responsible travel. We are currently sponsoring 24 community forest committee members who are patrolling and preventing the illegal chainsaw operators from destroying the forest where the White-necked Rockfowl is found in addition to building an 11 classroom school and visitor reception centre for the communities surrounding the forest. This is the second major community development and habitat conservation initiative we have undertaken having already built an 8 classroom school for another community we visit during our tours at Brenu Akyinim. An indication of our standards can be seen with over 90% of international companies coming to Ghana using our services and leaders. Please be aware this is one of our standard itineraries, if you would like one of our expert tour planners to design a private tour around specific species or to include mammals, butterflies, flora and culture this would not be a problem. We are highly committed to ensuring your time here with us will be an enjoyable, productive and memorable one.
Shining-blue Kingfishers seen on the majority of our tours
Tour Overview
Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Vehicle type: Air conditioned 4x4, minibus or bus depending on group size.
Group size: Our standard scheduled tours are a maximum of 8 participants with 2 expert tour leaders. All of our tours can be scheduled for individuals, couples and small private groups so please inform us of your preference.
Price: This will depend on the number of participants, however our prices are the lowest for a tour to Ghana so please contact us for up to date information on cost.
Map Showing Birding Locations
Why should we book with Ashanti? There are always other options when travelling, however we are currently the only expert birding and wildlife tour company operating legally here in Ghana. Ashanti African Tours are registered with the Ghana Tourism Authority (a legal requirement) our operating licence number is T-04/CR/11, our company and vehicles are comprehensively insured, our guides are registered in addition to our services and tour leaders being of the highest standard. In addition to the above we practice ethical and responsible travel which can be seen through our conservation and community development projects. We were also proudly awarded “Tour Operator of the Year 2014” by the Ghana Tourism Authority to go alongside our current “West African Tour Operator of the Year Award”
Focus of this tour: Our main focus on our birding and nature tours is primarily on birds, however we always employ 2 leaders experts on birds, butterflies, mammals, flora and culture. This allows us to also cater for participants that would like to dedicate more time on photography and the alternative flora and fauna Ghana has to offer without it having a negative effect on participants focused mainly on seeing birds.
Recommended literature Birds of Ghana by Nik Borrow and Ron Demy, published by Helm Field Guides
Tour leaders and guides: This will be subject to availability when booking your tour, all of our bird guides are the finest in the country with years of experience in leading highly productive, enjoyable quality birding and nature tours of Ghana. When booking a tour with Ashanti you get more than just a local guide, all are of an international standard, know the birds by song and call and where to find them. Our birding team is constantly in the field leading tours and conducting research here with our main aim being to give our guests the ultimate West African bird watching experience. No one knows Ghana’s birds and where to find them better than us, that’s why over 90% of the largest birding tour companies in the world use our services.
What is included in the price?
Accommodation - we use the best standard accommodation close to the birding locations, all hotels and guesthouses are air conditioned, have private toilet and bathroom facilities and restaurants serving local and international cuisine. The majority of accommodations also have swimming pools and internet facilities.
Food - breakfast, lunch and dinner, we also have fruit and biscuits on all our vehicles, if you see any additional snacks you would like to try just inform your guide and they will be happy to purchase for you.
Mineral water- Unlimited mineral water is available to every participant for the duration of your time with us.
Transportation- In a fully air conditioned vehicle for the duration of your tour, vehicle type will depend on the group size, however we have a 2 seat per passenger policy to ensure you are not restricted and have somewhere to put your day bag.
Driver- All our drivers are highly experienced and employed on a full time basis by our company, their focus is on safety and comfort.
Fuel- All fuel is included in the tour price.
Entrance fees- All national park, reserve, sanctuary, picathartes and additional excursion fees are included in the tour price.
Guide fees- All guide fees are included in the price for your tour. In addition we tip site guides and also hotel staff at all of the locations and accommodations we visit.
Additional services- Our company offers 24/7 professional, care, attention and office support to all our clients.
What is not included? International flights Visas Travel insurance Soft and alcoholic drinks
Black Bee-eater always a favorite during our photographic tours
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Ghana You will be met upon your arrival at the Kotoka International airport in Accra Ghana which is situated on the beautiful “Gold Coast” (Ghana’s former name during its time under British colonial rule) of Western Africa. After clearing immigration, collecting your bags and passing through customs you will enter the main arrival hall where your Ashanti African Tours guide will be waiting to meet you. Please do not leave the arrival hall before introducing yourself to your guide who will be holding an Ashanti sign and also displaying his company identification card. Our team will take care of you from here and offer you “Akwaaba” (welcome) once you have boarded your air conditioned vehicle which will be your mode of transport for the duration of your time with us. We make the short journey (approximately 15 minutes depending on traffic) to your hotel which is located in Ghana’s capital Accra. After checking you in your guide will brief you on the following days activities and answer any questions you may have. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy your early evening meal whilst acclimatising yourself to West Africa.
Accommodation- Tulip Inn (Accra)
Akun Eagle Owl one of Africa's rarest owl's
Day 2 Birding Winniba 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 recharge our batteries after travelling the previous day. We check out of our hotel at 9am enabling us to miss the worst of the famous Accra rush hour traffic as we head west towards Winniba 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 amongst other species.
After a wonderful morning we have lunch in Winniba before setting off for Jukwa and the Rainforest Lodge our accommodation for the next 3 nights whilst 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 Qualia, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Bar-breasted Fire-finch, Village and Compact Weavers, Splendid and Copper Sunbirds and Red-faced and Whistling Cisticolas amongst other species. We will visit a small forest close to our lodge and try for the Frasers Eagle Owl and Long-tailed Nightjar before returning to our accommodation for our evening meal and checklist.
Accommodation- Rainforest Lodge (Jukwa)
Kakum National Park canopy walkways 7 platforms help get us close to those hard to see canopy species
Day 3 Birding Kakum National Park morning and evening visits to the canopy walkway An early breakfast as we head for the world famous canopy walkway at Kakum National Park which is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from our lodge. We aim to get to Kakum for first light enabling us to spend the most critical bird viewing hours 40 meters above the forest floor on the canopy walkway, which 7 platforms are large enough to support Telescopes. The 360 km² Kakum National Park protects secondary upper guinea semi deciduous tropical rainforest and it is a wonderful feeling being so close to the canopy of this beautiful forest. Our main target species during our time on the canopy walkway are Violet-backed Hyliota, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, the upper guinea endemics Sharpes Apalis, Brown-cheeked Hornbill and copper-tailed Glossy Starling, Bioko Batis, Blue Cuckooshrike, Little Green Woodpecker and the White- crested Hornbill. Other species we hope to see include Blue-throated Brown, Green, Collard, Johanna’s and the beautiful Buff-throated Sunbirds, Red-headed and Crested Malimbes, Rosy Bee-eater, White-breasted and Grey-crowned Negrofinch, Red-fronted and African Grey Parrots, Yellowbill, Western Black-headed and Black Winged Orioles, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Splendid Glossy and Forest Chestnut-winged Starlings, Preuss’s Golden-backed and Yellow-mantled Weavers, Green Hylia, Golden, Slender-billed and Little Grey Greenbuls, African Green Pigeon, Yellow-billed Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-throated, Red-rumped and Speckled Tinkerbirds, Hairy-breasted and Naked-faced Barbets, Usshers and Little Grey Flycatchers, Cassins Honeybird and African Pied Hornbill to mention a few. . The raptors we have a chance to see include, Congo Serpent Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Cassins Hawk Eagle, European Honey and Red-necked Buzzards. Some of the more difficult but still possible species from the canopy include Long-tailed Hawk, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-footed Honeyguide and Black-collard Lovebird.
Long-tailed Hawk This unmistakable forest hawk is a top priority for many birders coming to Ghana
After a wonderful morning we return to our lodge to freshen up and enjoy our lunch. During the heat of mid-afternoon, you will have the option of birding around our lodges grounds, resting in your air conditioned rooms, around the pool and bar or you could choose to go on a cultural excursion to Cape Coast castle, compliments of Ashanti African Tours. We re-visit the canopy walkway in the evening when our main targets will be the Brown-cheeked, Black and Yellow-casqued Hornbills, Great Blue Turaco, Brown Nightjar and Fraser’s eagle owl amongst other specials. Our evening will be spent at the lodges restaurant and bar discussing the day’s sightings, adding to our checklist and enjoying the atmosphere of our surroundings.
Accommodation- Rainforest Lodge (Jukwa)
White-spotted Flufftail This skulking and shy species is seen well on the majority of our tours
Day 4 Birding Antwikwaa and Kakum National Park Another early start as we visit the Antwikwaa section of Kakum National Park, hoping to add some amazing birds to our growing list – Little, White-throated, Rosy and Black Bee-eaters, Blue-throated Roller, Piping Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-spotted Flufftail, Cassin’s Spinetail, Sabine’s Spinetail, Didric Cuckoo, Melancholy and Buff-spotted Woodpeckers, Vieillot’s Black and Black-necked Weavers, Kemps and Grey Longbills, Western Nicator, Western Bluebill, Olive-bellied, Superb and Johanna’s Sunbirds, Copper- tailed Glossy and Violet-backed Starlings, Yellow White-eye, Bronze Mannikin, Orange- cheeked Waxbill and the more difficult species include Yellow-billed Barbet, Forest Penduline Tit, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle and Ahanta Francolin to mention a few.
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 if we are lucky which we sometimes are African Finfoot may make an appearance. 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, Fire-bellied Woodpecker, Melancholy Woodpecker, and so many others. Once again we will remain until dark trying for owls and nightjars that we may still need before returning to our accommodation for our meal and checklist.
Accommodation- Rainforest Lodge (Jukwa)
The Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Found in dense undergrowth in lowland forests of Ghana
Day 5 Birding Kakum Forest and Brenu Akyinim
This morning we will be concentrating our time on the farmland scrub, forest edge and forest trails at Abrafo a section of forest habitat near to Kakum National Park. Our guides are always focused on getting our clients good views of all species and this morning is no different as we search for Pale Flycatcher, Black and White Mannikin, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Sooty Boubou, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Olive-green Camaroptera, Red-faced and Whistling Cisticolas, Lesser Striped Swallow, Fanti Saw-wing, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Naked- faced and Hairy-breasted Barbets, Frasers and Little-green Sunbirds, Yellowbill, Red- cheeked Wattle-eye, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Common Fiscal, Spotted Greenbul, Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush, Yellow-whiskered and Red-tailed Greenbuls, White-crested Hornbill, African Harrier Hawk and the more sought after difficult species include Long-tailed Hawk, Red-billed Helmetshrike, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Olive Long- tailed Cuckoo, Congo Serpent Eagle, Red-billed and Black Dwarf Hornbills. Productivity reduces during the heat of the mid-afternoon, with this in mind we return to our hotel to enjoy our lunch, relax around the pool or have a short siesta.
Oriole Warbler Often seen on palm fronds in savannah woodland entertaining us with its beautiful song
New habitat is in store for us after our relaxing lunch as we head for Brenu Akyinim and the coastal savannah plains. There are some special species found in this area and new birds we hope to see include Marsh Tchagra, Compact Weaver, Double-spurred Francolin, Oriole Warbler, Red-headed Quelea, Black-rumped Waxbill and if we are lucky Yellow-winged Pytillia, Wilsons Indigobird, African Wattled Lapwing and if we stay late Greyish Eagle Owl and Long-tailed Nightjar to mention a few. Our final evening at the Rainforest Lodge will be spent updating our checklists and discussing the days sightings over our evening meal. Accommodation- Rainforest Lodge (Jukwa) Day 6 Birding Abrafo Forest and visiting nesting site for Yellow-headed Picathartes
Today is special and it is difficult to focus our minds on anything other than the afternoon visit to the Yellow-headed Picathartes nesting site, however we will have to as we have a full mornings birding to enjoy. We check out of our hotel after an early breakfast and set off for Abrafo forest where we will be targeting species we may still require from this habitat. After an excellent morning we set off northwards stopping for lunch en-route before arriving at a remote village close to a small upper guinea rainforest in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
Yellow-headed Picathartes Tourism is helping to protect this vulnerable species in Ghana
All of the known nesting sites for the Yellow-headed Picathartes are in forest reserves and not protected areas. This location has more nesting sites than any other in Ghana and we are proud to be actively involved in protecting this habitat from illegal hunting and logging activities. Ashanti African Tours are currently sponsoring 24 community forest committee members from the surrounding villages to patrol and stop illegal hunting and logging activities. It is imperative we show the local surrounding communities of the benefits of protecting this species and endangered habitat, as such we are currently building an 11 classroom school facility, reception centre and future plans include accommodation for nature lovers with all proceeds going directly to a community fund. There has been a dramatic reduction in tree felling and our groups seem to be enjoying better views than ever of more birds when visiting the Yellow-headed Picathartes nesting site.
There are around 20 nesting sites in this small forest and we will visit one of the largest colony’s that has approximately 30 nests. As we set off on the walk through this beautiful forest you can see why it is one of the most sought after species in the world, the total experience adds to this mythical birds reputation. As we arrive at the nesting site we need to be very quiet as we take our seats on bamboo benches we have purposely made for your comfort. The overhanging rock face and small cave with mud nests sets the atmosphere as we wait for the birds to come back from foraging for snails and insects during the day. It is hard to contain your excitement as these legendary prehistoric looking birds hop and jump on the rocks whilst preening themselves just meters from our eyes (no telescope needed). Once we have enjoyed good views we leave the birds in peace as we set off back through the forest to our vehicle. On our arrival in Kumasi we check into our hotel, enjoy our evening meal and reflect on one of the best birding days of our life.
Accommodation- Royal Basin Hotel (Kumasi)
Black Dwarf Hornbill Africa's rarest hornbill species
Day 7 Birding Bobiri butterfly sanctuary and transfer to Accra for departure
Our final day with you here in Ghana and as usual another early start which is imperative if we want to catch the early morning activity here in the tropics. We arrive at Bobiri for first light focusing on species we may still need. Bobiri butterfly sanctuary is a small 4.6 square kilometres of protected upper guinea rainforest approximately 30km outside of Ghana’s second largest city Kumasi. Bobiri was made a sanctuary due to the exceptional number of butterfly species recorded here which stands at over 600 and counting. There are also some exceptional bird species found here and our main targets will be Black Dwarf and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbills, Magpie Mannikin, Narinas Trogan, African Piculet, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Yellow-footed Honeyguide, Golden-backed Weaver, Red-chested Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Barbet, Dusky Tit, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Afep and Bronze-naped Pigeons and if we are lucky Black-throated Coucal and Tessmanns Flycatcher.
It’s been a wonderful few days birding in the southern upper guinea rainforests of Ghana, we set off for Accra and stop for our lunch en-route. We aim to arrive in Accra in ample time for a final evening meal together before we transfer you to the airport or another pre-arranged location for your departure after a wonderful 7 day Ghana birding and wildlife tour with Ashanti African Tours.