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Voykit pocket guide · Ghana
Bolgatanga
Spend 1–2 days in Bolgatanga: market, crafts, and a day trip to Paga (crocodile pond).
Bolgatanga is the craft hub of northern Ghana, known for straw baskets, hats and leather goods. The town is reachable by public bus from Tamale (3 h) and offers a compact market, library and painted‑house villages. A short day‑trip to Paga adds wildlife interest.
- Country
- Ghana
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GHS
- Money
- Currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵). Cards work in larger hotels, malls and some restaurants in Accra; most other payments are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget GHS 30–50 excl. bed · Mid GHS 80–120 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- MTN has the widest coverage, with Telecel (ex-Vodafone) and AT as alternatives; SIMs need a passport and Ghana Card-style biometric registration for foreigners at a company shop — check.
- Emergency
- Police 191 · Fire 192 · Ambulance 193 · General 112
- Plugs
- Types G, D · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin sockets are standard; bring a surge-protected adapter for power cuts ('dumsor').
- Tipping
- Chop bar or street food: Nothing.; Sit-down restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is added.; Driver day: GH₵50–100 a day.; Castle or park guide: GH₵30–60 per group.; Hotel porter: GH₵5–10.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Bottled water or sealed sachets from known brands are sold everywhere.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; public toilets charge a few cedis. Carry tissue.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Soda | GHS 1 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | GHS 0.20 |
| Street food (waakye, jollof, banku) | GHS 5–10 |
| Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi (6.2 mi (10 km)) | GHS 15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TML · Tamale Airport
- about 161 km (100 mi) north, 3 h busabout 100 mi (161 km) north, 3 h bus
Typical fares
- Tamale → Bolgatanga bus
- about GHS 30 one‑way, 3 h (check)
- Taxi within Bolgatanga (10 km)
- about GHS 15–20 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis gather at the market and bus loop; they usually carry 4–5 passengers. Tricycles (“can‑do”) are cheaper and faster for short hops.
See and do
Known for
- Straw basket and hat crafts
- Bolgatanga Library
- Sumbrungu painted houses
- Paga crocodile pond
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paga crocodile pond | Shared ride or taxi east on N10, ~30 km (19 mi), 45 minShared ride or taxi east on N10, ~19 mi (30 km), 45 min | ≈1 h total |
| Sumbrungu painted houses | Taxi west on N10, ~8 km (5 mi), 15 minTaxi west on N10, ~5 mi (8 km), 15 min | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Top Hotel Ghana
- Central, free Wi‑Fi, breakfast, pool; price GHS 600–800 per night
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Ɛte sɛneh-teh sen |
| How much? | Ɛhe na ɛwɔ?eh-heh nah eh-woh |
| Thank you | Meda wo asemeh-dah woh ah-seh |
| Where is the market? | Ɛhe na adwumayɛbea no wɔ?eh-heh nah ah-dwoo-ma-yeh-beh-ah noh woh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake with the right hand, ask after health and family; avoid: Starting with a question
- Elders: Stand when an elder enters and let them speak first; avoid: Crossed legs in front of chiefs
- Hands: Right hand for everything; avoid: Passing money with the left
- Dress: Smart clothes for churches, offices and palaces; avoid: Beachwear in town
- Photos: Ask first; offer to show the picture; avoid: Photographing police, soldiers or funerals without permission
- Funerals: Weekend funerals are public events; guests wear black, red or white as the family specifies; avoid: Treating them as a sight
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxi rides often fill up; allow extra waiting time.
- Tap water may cause stomach upset; buy bottled or sachet water.
- Public buses can be crowded; keep belongings secure.
Bolgatanga is generally safe for day visitors; stay aware of traffic and keep valuables secure in taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bolgatanga yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Straw basket and hat crafts
- Bolgatanga Library
- Sumbrungu painted houses
- Paga crocodile pond
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Bolgatanga: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Bolgatanga, revision 5338899 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5338899
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bolgatanga). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.