Accra With Kids: Gardens, Zoo and Shai Hills

October 18, 2026

Accra has fewer purpose-built family attractions than many capitals, so a good family day here is built from green spaces, a small zoo and a guided drive, with plenty of shade and water. This page lists the options that could be confirmed and says plainly what to leave out. Prices are in cedis (GH₵), at about 11.7 to the US dollar, and no fees are printed where they could not be confirmed.

Accra Zoo

Accra Zoo is inside Achimota Forest and is run by the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division. It was moved there in 2006 from its old site behind Flagstaff House, and reopened in December 2022. When it reopened it held about 108 animals, including monkeys, antelopes, birds, crocodiles, snakes, porcupines, ostriches and two lions with cubs. It is a modest zoo rather than a large collection, so plan an hour or two. Keep children well back from every enclosure, because conditions vary. See the Graphic report on the reopening .

Legon Botanical Gardens

The gardens at Legon have a canopy walkway, a high-ropes course, a lake and, on weekends, canoe rides. A 2020 listing also mentions a junior rope course and a playground. That listing gave weekday hours of about 8:00 to 17:00 and weekend hours to 18:00. Fees listed for 2020 are out of date, so ask on arrival and check which activities suit your child’s age.

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Aburi is about 35 km and an hour north of the city, on the Akuapem Ridge. It opens daily from about 8:30 to 17:00. At 450 m it is cooler than the coast, which suits young children in hot weather. Wide lawns, palm avenues and shady trees leave room to run, and a picnic stop makes an easy half day. No fee was confirmed, so ask at the gate.

Shai Hills Resource Reserve

Shai Hills is about 50 km and an hour from Accra. Baboons, kob and other antelope, bushbuck and zebra live there, and ostriches are kept on an animal farm. Visits are with trained armed guides, and fees are charged per hour. Keep food hidden from baboons and keep your distance from every animal. The caves involve some walking, so judge by your child’s age. Look at family-friendly Accra tours if you want transport arranged.

Boti Falls

Boti Falls is in the Eastern Region, 90 minutes or more from Accra. A long staircase leads to the twin falls, with 70 or 250 steps depending on the source. That makes it hard for small children, and the day suits school-age children and above.

The beach and the pool

Open-coast beaches near Accra are not for children to swim at. The UK Foreign Office says swimming is dangerous along the southern coast because of rip tides and undertows, and the main beaches have no lifeguards. Do not let anyone swim at Labadi, Kokrobite or the ocean side of Bojo, even in shallow water. At Bojo the sea and the river meet, so it should not be treated as a safe lagoon. Labadi’s La Pleasure Beach was cleared in October 2026, so check whether it has reopened. Hotel pools are the safer choice for children, but a non-guest day pass should not be assumed, so ask the hotel first. Read the safety advice before you go.

Health and practicalities

Malaria is present all year, so ask a travel clinic about medicine for each family member and use repellent from dusk. A yellow fever certificate is required to enter Ghana. Sachet “pure water” varies in quality, so choose sealed bottles. Use Uber, Bolt or Yango for upfront fares, and expect slow traffic in the morning and late afternoon.