Family-friendly activities in Ghana

Ghana has few purpose-built attractions for children, and the good family days are outdoors: botanical gardens on a cool ridge, a savannah reserve where baboons walk beside the car, and one rainforest walkway for children. That makes for a shorter list than in most destinations, and each item deserves its own day. Prices here are in Ghana cedis (GH₵), at about 11.7 to the US dollar in early October 2026, and they move.

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Aburi sits on the Akuapem ridge about 35 km north of Accra, around an hour by road, and the air is cooler than on the coastal plain. The gardens date from 1890 and have long avenues of royal palms, huge silk cotton trees and shaded lawns where children can run. Entry is about GH₵20. Take water, a picnic and a hat, and leave Accra early so you are back before the afternoon traffic builds.

Shai Hills Resource Reserve

About 50 km north-east of Accra, Shai Hills protects grassland and granite outcrops. Families can drive through to see olive baboons and kob antelope, and explore the caves tied to the Shai people. Entry is GH₵70 for an adult and GH₵20 for a vehicle; check the details with the Wildlife Division at fcghana.org . Stay in or beside your vehicle around baboons, and never feed them.

Kakum canopy walkway

The walkway at Kakum National Park links seven bridges across 333 m, up to 27 m above the forest floor. Walks are guided, last about an hour and run daily 06:00 to 16:00. Ask the park about minimum ages and the fee at the gate before you commit with young children, and bring closed shoes. It is about four hours from Accra, so an overnight on the coast makes the day easier. Browse family-friendly Kakum tours if you want a driver.

Planning with children

• Health: the malaria risk covers the whole country. Speak to a travel clinic about prophylaxis and age-appropriate advice, and carry repellent. A yellow fever certificate is required for entry, and without one you may be refused entry or vaccinated on arrival.
• Entry: UK and US passport holders need a visa through evisa.immigration.gov.gh , which lists the current fee.
• Sea: The Atlantic along Ghana’s open coast carries strong rip currents and heavy shore break, so swim only where locals are swimming, never alone and never at night. Use a hotel pool for toddlers and weaker swimmers.
• Money: Carry cash in cedis for gates, markets and shared transport; larger Accra hotels and restaurants take cards, and mobile money is widely used.
• Travel time: Accra traffic can turn a short drive into hours, so keep each day to one main stop.

Verdict: Shai Hills is the easiest first outing for a young family and Kakum the best for children old enough to enjoy heights. For longer plans, see the multi-day trips page .

• Ghana
• West-Africa
• Guides