Major city · Ghana
Bawku
One day is enough: arrive early, explore market and White Volta floodplain, leave before curfew; no overnight stay.
Bawku is a busy border town in the Upper East Region. Its market, smock weaving and nearby floodplain can be seen in a half‑day; security curfews make night stays inconvenient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GHS
- Best months
- Nov–Jan
- avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season, heat and dust)
- Airport
- TML
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bawku191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bawku, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵).Ghana-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN has the widest coverage, with Telecel (ex-Vodafone) and AT as alternatives…Ghana-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Ghana-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is added.Ghana-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ghana-wide
- SafetyDaytime travel is safe; respect curfew, avoid night movement, and stay alert to local security updates.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; public toilets charge a few cedis.Ghana-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 192 fire · 193 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday mornings are for church and many shops open late; offices close on public holidays.Ghana-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTML Tamale Airport (about 4–5 h drive east via Bolgatanga).
- Getting aroundYellow‑yellow tricycles (5–20 GHS), taxis, motorbikes and walking in the market area.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi from Bolgatanga₵200–250
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room (fan, mosquito net), a night, per roomGHS 100
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room (fan, mosquito net), a night, per roomGHS 175
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room (fan, mosquito net), a night, per roomGHS 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GHS 60 · Mid GHS 150 · High GHS 300
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TML Tamale Airport (about 4–5 h drive east via Bolgatanga)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–Jan. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bawku: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Yellow‑yellow tricycles (5–20 GHS), taxis, motorbikes and walking in the market area.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bolgatanga
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Shared taxi or tro‑tro, about 1.5–2 h west
Larger market and museum; return before dark.
Tamale
cautionDoor to door: ≈5 h
Bus or shared taxi, 4–5 h southwest
Long travel; only if you have extra time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guesthouses
Basic fan rooms with mosquito net, 100–250 GHS per night; no reliable online booking
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₵60–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₵120–250 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room (fan, mosquito net)1 × 1 night × GHS 100 | GHS 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GHS 60 | GHS 60 |
| Shared taxi from Bolgatanga, one way1 × GHS 225 · check | GHS 225 |
| Yellow‑yellow tricycle ride1 × GHS 12 · check | GHS 12 |
| Meal at a chop bar1 × GHS 25 · check | GHS 25 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GHS 42 |
| Trip total≈ GHS 464 per person per day, bed included | GHS 464 |
2026 estimate in Ghanaian cedis; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a chop bar | ₵10–40 |
| Bottle of water | ₵2–5 |
| Yellow‑yellow tricycle ride | ₵5–20 |
| Shared taxi from Bolgatanga | ₵200–250 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Curfew and occasional chieftaincy tensions – check current advice and travel only by day.
- Heat (35‑42 °C (108 °F) in dry season) – stay hydrated and use sun protection.Heat (35‑108 °F (42 °C) in dry season) – stay hydrated and use sun protection.
- Malaria risk – use repellent and sleep under net.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 192
- Ambulance
- 193
- General
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BawkuBawku
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Mepa wo kyɛw, kɔ haTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire192
- Ambulance193
Embassy
US consulate is in Accra; other embassies in Accra as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bolgatanga → Bawku (shared taxi): about ₵200–250, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Yellow‑yellow tricycle ride: ₵5–20 for short trips (check)
Say or show
- Meda wo kyɛw — Excuse me / Sorry (meh-dah woh cheh)
- Meda wo ase — Thank you (meh-dah woh ah-seh)
- Ɛhe na ɛda? — How much is it? (eh-heh nah eh-dah)
- Mɛtumi de card bɔ sika? — Can I pay by card? (meh-too-mee deh card boh see-kah)
- Wɔhe na asuo no wɔ? — Where is the toilet? (woh-heh nah ah-soo noh woh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bawku. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Jan · avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season, heat and dust) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night‑stay option in Bolgatanga if curfew lifts.
- Include transport to Pusiga border for Burkina Faso trips.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Bawku
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bawku, revision 5340241 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Bawku
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