National park · Ghana
Kakum National Park
Enter Kakum for the canopy walk (≈30 GHS) early morning; add a guided forest trail if you have a guide, best in Nov–Mar, avoid rainy Apr–Oct crowds.
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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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
37 km² (14 sq mi)14 sq mi (37 km²)
approximate
Established
1931
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
- 37 km² (14 sq mi)14 sq mi (37 km²)
- Officially 37 km²; some sources cite slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 1931
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cape Coast
Kakum National Park protects a fragment of Ghana's coastal rainforest and is famed for its 40 m canopy walkway; visitors must hire a guide for all walks, and the park is most comfortable in the dry season (Nov–Mar).
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1931.
Size and age
37 km² (14 sq mi)14 sq mi (37 km²) · national park since 1931
Officially 37 km²; some sources cite slightly different figures (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cape Coast.
Why go
- Canopy walkway 40 m above the rainforest.
- Guided forest walks reveal birds, insects and Mona monkeys.
- Easy day trip from Cape Coast or Accra.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool
- FebDry, cool
- MarEnd of dry season
- AprStart of rains
- MayRainy, slippery trails
- JunRainy, high humidity
- JulRainy, possible floods
- AugRainy, hot
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctRainy, improving
- NovDry, pleasant
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mona monkey, various forest birds, butterfliesAll 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
From Cape Coast
Tro‑tro (public minibus) to the park gate; cheap but may require waiting for a return vehicle.
≈1 h
Open the page →
From Accra
Private car or taxi (≈3 h) via the coastal road; rental with driver common.
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Cape Coast – taxi charter
Charter a taxi from Pedu Junction; round‑trip 300–400 GHS.
≈1 h each way
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance & canopy walkway | Ticket office, visitor centre, 40 m canopy bridge. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest trail area | Ground‑level paths, bird‑watching spots. | Guided walks only. |
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 from Wikidata; approximate centre of the park.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (incl. canopy walk) | GHS 30 | person | 2026 estimate |
| Guided forest walk | GHS 20 | person | Guide fee, check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided walk permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- GHS 30
- GHS 20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- All walks must be accompanied by a park‑approved guide.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; only designated platforms with fee.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Pets
- Not permitted inside the park.
- Drone use
- Prohibited without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cape Coast hotels
Range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels, 20‑km from park gate.
In the park
Rainforest platform
Simple platform with mosquito net; small nightly fee, bring own food.
Safety
Slippery stairs on canopy walk medium
Getting lost on forest trails high
Heat and humidity low
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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walk to visitor centre.
- Canopy walk involves stairs and uneven bridges; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support guides hired through the park to fund conservation.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep platforms clean.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kakum National Park?
Entry is about 30 GHS per person, which includes the canopy walk. Guided forest walks cost an additional ~20 GHS.
What are the best hikes in Kakum National Park?
The 40 m canopy walkway is the highlight; a guided ground‑level forest trail (1–2 h) is also recommended.
When is the best time to visit Kakum National Park?
Dry months Nov–Mar give the most comfortable walking conditions and clearer views.
How do I get to Kakum from Cape Coast?
Take a tro‑tro from the Cape Coast bus station (≈1 h) or charter a taxi for 300–400 GHS round‑trip.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed in the forest; only a basic platform with a small fee is available for overnight stays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kakum National Park
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