Ankasa Conservation Area
Tucked away in the Southwestern part of Ghana and close to the Cote D’voire border is this conservation area which holds many delights. Ankasa is the country’s only remaining wet evergreen
forest and is reputed to have the highest plant diversity.
The park is approximately 509 square kilometers with a chunk of tropical evergreen rain-forest and comprises the Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve with the greatest biodiversity reserve in Ghana which records over 300 plants specie in one hectare and more than 800 vascular plants species.
Take a guided nature walk in this rainforest to see over 70 spotted resident mammal species such as bay duiker, golden cat, chimpanzee, mona monkey, black and white colobus, forest elephant, bongo antelope among others.
Find in the Ankasa Conservation Area the Ankasa River, Nini River, Suhien River and enjoy their rapids in the cool environs as you watch variety of birds and butterflies moving about with no worries.
You will be lucky to find some tall trees in the forest, towering over 20 metres and the tallest of these tall trees is called the “Big Tree” also known as Tieghemella.
There is also the Bamboo Cathedral at Nkwanta which is located 8km from the Ankasa gate with a lot of bamboos forming a canopy because of its bow nature and criss-cross at the apex, their structure making it an excellent site for relaxing. There is an opportunity for all who want to camp, so camping facilities, washrooms and other services to make camping comfortable are available.
It is best to put on athletic shoes, trousers and not so colourful blouses or T-shirts when visiting the area. Locate a number of local food joints and accommodation facilities in the area and surrounding towns or go with your own packaged food. It is better to seek the permission of the onsite guide before taking pictures.
Getting there
Get to Takoradi station in the Western Region and board a bus going to Elubo and alert the conductor you would alight at Ankasa junction. At the junction, there are available motor bikes and taxis to take you to the conservation area.