Volta Region Day Tour: Hiking, Waterfalls & Mona Monkeys

Hike Ghana's highest mountain, swim at West Africa's tallest waterfall, feed wild Mona monkeys

A full-day nature tour from Accra into the Volta Region combines hiking at Shai Hills Resource Reserve (where you spot baboons, birds and antelopes) with a cruise on Volta Lake, a visit to the Cedi Beads factory, swimming at Wli Waterfalls, time with protected Mona monkeys at Tafi Atome, and a guided walk through Aburi Botanical Gardens. An English-speaking guide leads the route. Hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nature tour in Volta Region and Aburi Gardens

• Visit Shai Hills wildlife sanctuary
• Stop at Bridge View Hotel for breakfast
• Cruise on Volta Lake at Adomi
• Explore landscapes and waterfalls in Volta Region
• Feed Mona monkeys at Tafi Atome
• Hike and swim at Wli Waterfalls
• Tour Aburi Botanical Gardens
• Visit Cedi bead factory

The experience

The day starts early from Accra with a stop at Bridge View Hotel for breakfast (your cost), then moves to Shai Hills Resource Reserve, the closest wildlife sanctuary to the city. You'll hike or drive routes of various lengths through terrain where baboons, antelopes, birds including the violet Turaco and Red-billed Hornbill, zebras and monitor lizards move through the landscape. Rock scrambling is an option, and from the hilltop you see across the Accra plains. After Shai Hills, you cruise Volta Lake at Adomi near Atimpoku for a view of the water before heading inland.

The route then moves deeper into the Volta Region's landscapes and waterfalls. At the Cedi Beads factory, you watch glass crushed into powder, placed in clay molds, and fired at around 600°C using burned palm kernels: traditional technology that turns the material into finished beads you can buy as souvenirs. At Tafi Atome, a village that has protected its Mona monkey population for 200 years, you feed and spend time with the roughly 200 playful monkeys living in the tropical forest. They often come close when offered bananas. The forest also holds many bird and butterfly species.

Wli Waterfalls (also called Agumatsa Falls) is the highest waterfall in West Africa, with inviting pools at the base where you can swim. The site offers three hiking options: a straightforward 45-minute walk to the lower falls, a 3-hour hike to the upper falls requiring stamina and proper footwear, or a 5-hour challenge to the highest point. You choose based on your fitness and time. The day ends at Aburi Botanical Gardens, where a guided tour covers the history, origin and medicinal properties of local plant species, moving through the palm walk, rock garden, pergola and other sections of the grounds.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transport.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from your Accra accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 06:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kwame Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the longer hike option if you want to swim at a major waterfall and see wildlife in one trip. The shorter route focuses mainly on scenic views and landscapes.

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Top questions

What animals will I see at Shai Hills Resource Reserve?

Shai Hills holds baboons, antelopes, zebras, ostriches, monitor lizards and green monkeys, along with bird species including the violet Turaco, Paradise Flycatcher, Red-billed Hornbill and Red-necked Buzzard. You encounter them while hiking or driving the reserve's various routes.

How long is the hike to Wli Waterfalls?

Wli Waterfalls offers three options: a 45-minute walk to the lower falls on a mostly flat trail, a 3-hour hike to the upper falls requiring good stamina and proper hiking footwear, or a 5-hour trek to the highest point for those with the fitness for a challenging route. You choose which suits your capability.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

Yes, there are inviting pools at the base of both the lower and upper falls at Wli where you can swim. Bring your swimming costume for this part of the tour.

What happens at the Cedi Beads factory?

At the Cedi Beads factory, you watch glass crushed into fine powder and placed in clay molds, then see it fired at around 600°C using burned palm kernels to reach the required temperature. You learn how the beads are made and can purchase finished beads as souvenirs.

How close do the Mona monkeys come to visitors?

The Mona monkeys at Tafi Atome are wild but often come down very close to visitors, especially when offered bananas. The village has protected the roughly 200-strong population for 200 years, and they inhabit the tropical forest surrounding the area.