National park · Ghana
Shai Hills Resource Reserve
Enter Shai Hills Reserve for a short hike (2 km (1.2 mi)) or a longer loop (5 km (3.1 mi)) in the morning; avoid the rainy season (May–Oct) for dry trails and fewer bugs.Enter Shai Hills Reserve for a short hike (1.2 mi (2 km)) or a longer loop (3.1 mi (5 km)) in the morning; avoid the rainy season (May–Oct) for dry trails and fewer bugs.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
51 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (51 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Ghana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Ghana Immigration Service or a Ghanaian mission before booking; many nationalities need a visa in advance.
- Ghana ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Ghana before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport if you have one.
- Ghana ↗Do not photograph police, military sites, airports or the presidential buildings.
- Ghanaian Coastal Plain ↗Drive between towns in daylight; tro-tros and trucks set the pace and unlit stretches are common after dark.
- Ghanaian Coastal Plain ↗Carry cedis in cash for tro-tros, castle entry and beach lodges; card acceptance outside Accra and Takoradi is patchy.
- Ghanaian Coastal Plain ↗The castles are memorial sites as well as museums: dress and behave accordingly, and expect guided tours only.
At a glance
- Country
- Ghana
- Area
- 51 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (51 km²)
- Reserve covers about 51 km² after 1973 expansion (originally 47 km²).
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Accra
Shai Hills Resource Reserve, just north of Accra, offers short, accessible hikes across savanna hills, wildlife viewing of baboons, monkeys and over 170 bird species, and cultural sites such as Sayu Cave and a natural history museum.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
51 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (51 km²) · national park since 1962
Reserve covers about 51 km² after 1973 expansion (originally 47 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Accra.
Why go
- Short, accessible hikes with views of hills and savanna.
- Opportunity to see baboons, green monkeys, antelopes and over 170 bird species.
- Cultural sites like Sayu Cave and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings good for wildlife spotting.
- FebDry, low humidity.
- MarEnd of dry season, pleasant.
- AprTransition, occasional showers.
- MayStart of rains, trails get muddy.
- JunHeavy rains, limited access.
- JulPeak rainy season.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRain decreasing, still wet.
- OctLate rains, trails improving.
- NovDry, cooler, good for hiking.
- DecDry, comfortable temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baboons, green monkeys, antelopes, zebrasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (172 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, parking, short trails to Sayu Cave and Mogo Hill. | Open with entry fee. |
| Manyayo Hill sector | Longer loop with views over the savanna. | Open; no guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on the reserve centre near Doryumu.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | GHS 5 | person | Standard adult entry (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve.
- Camping
- Not permitted; stay in nearby hotels.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Shai Hills Resort Hotel
Basic rooms a few minutes from the gate.
Near the park
Golf Pousada Hotel
Mid‑range accommodation on the main road.
Safety
Baboon encounters medium
Rainy‑season road conditions high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car; short, level paths suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer trails have uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodges; support community businesses.
- Do not feed wildlife; carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Shai Hills Resource Reserve?
The standard adult entry fee is about 5 GHS (check for current price).
What are the best hikes in Shai Hills Resource Reserve?
Mogo Hill (2 km loop, easy) and the longer Manyayo Hill circuit (5 km, moderate) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Shai Hills Resource Reserve?
The dry season, November to April, offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing.
Can I bring my dog into the reserve?
Pets are not allowed inside the reserve.
Is camping allowed in Shai Hills?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby hotels or guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Shai Hills Resource Reserve
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