A Guide to the Camping and Rural Stays to Book in Ghana

With a commitment to sustainable ecotourism, Ankobra Beach Resort is proud to have a positive impact on the surrounding landscapes and local community. The 20 main rooms are charming West African-themed chalets, while the on-site ECO Village provides bunk bed accommodation for students, backpackers and volunteers at a discounted rate. With a 6km (3.7mi) beach at your disposal, it would easy to spend all your time under the shade of a palm tree before cooling off in the foam-capped ocean. But if you want to keep active you can join one of the many organised excursions – anything from Ankobra River tours, to art or drumming workshops, to sea turtle observation tours – or take advantage of the ideal ocean conditions and book a surf lesson.

The Wli Water Heights Hotel offers a clean, simple and comfortable stay within the untamed Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary in Ghana’s Volta Region. Guests can hike up to the thundering Wli Waterfalls, the highest in West Africa, just a short distance away. Keep your eyes peeled for the 200 bird species and 400 butterfly species that can be spotted along the way. If you happen to be visiting in October, the annual Wli Waterfall Festival is a great way to immerse yourself in local history and tradition.

Labadi Beach Hotel is just 7km (4.3mi) away from Accra city centre, but manages to feel like a palm-fringed oasis, well away from the buzz of city streets. Featuring stylish air-conditioned rooms and luxury amenities such as Nespresso machines, private balconies, private beach, pool, sauna and fitness centre, this opulent hotel does not shy away from extravagance. Once you are well and truly relaxed, take advantage of the tour desk and fuel your sense of adventure by signing up for one of the many excursions on offer.

Another city oasis, the elegant Mahogany Lodge in Accra offers guests the chance to escape the crowded bustle of the city streets and unwind in a tranquil location. The hotel is well connected to the top attractions in Accra, such as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, but we recommend a visit to the verdant Aburi Botanical Gardens, an hour’s drive away. The botanical gardens were first opened in 1890 and have since played an important role in promoting plant diversity in Ghana.

Zaina Lodge is the first luxury safari lodge in West Africa, and it lives up to all expectations. The 25 rooms are luxury tents with a simple elegance that lets the Ghanaian-influenced design shine. Outdoor showers and private balconies come as standard. The forest-shrouded lodge is within Mole National Park, the largest game reserve in Ghana, and offers guided walking tours and jeep safari tours. This is the perfect place to go off grid and explore a striking, remote region of northern Ghana.

On the banks of the Volta River, 14km (9mi) from the Akosombo Dam, this four-star, thatched-roofed hotel provides the highest standard of service in one of the most beautiful, remote locations in Ghana. All 84 rooms seamlessly blend traditional Ghanaian design with modern touches, and feature flat-screen TVs, private balconies and mesmerising river views. There’s an outdoor pool, spa, tennis courts, gym, kayak rentals and a delicious restaurant and cocktail lounge on site. Don’t spend all your time on the hotel grounds, though – get out and discover nearby landmarks such as the Adomi Bridge.

With its prime hilltop location presiding over the calm waters of Lake Volta, it’s all about the breathtaking views at Volta Hotel Akosombo. Rooms are sophisticated and elegant, not to mention immensely comfortable. You can spend your days at the on-site pool, tennis court or practice golf park; or board the hotel boat, the Dodi Princess, for a short cruise around the area. The Volta region is fascinating, and there is plenty for you to explore here, on both land and water.