Hidden Gems in Ghana: Offbeat Places Most Tourists Miss

Ghana, which is also known as the Gateway to Africa, is a country with a rich history, amazing culture, lush scenery and hospitable people. The most common destinations that most visitors visit are Accra, Cape Coast or Kakum National Park but there is a lot more to explore beyond these places. This gem of West Africa is full of unique experiences that have not been saturated with mass tourism and is ideal to experience something new.

There are many hidden treasures in Ghana, and there is a lot to discover if you prefer to venture off the usual route. Discovering the mysteries of enigmatic caverns and placid lakes, touring nearby communities and historic shrines, and revealing Ghana's actual character, the Hidden Gems offer a singular opportunity to connect with the country's authentic essence. Apply your Ghana travel visa and get ready to experience a trip through destinations that most tourists overlook.

Here are the Hidden Gems in Ghana: Offbeat Places Most Tourists Miss

1. Nzulezo -The Village Stilts:

One of the most fascinating off-the-beaten-path locations in the nation is Nzulezo. The settlement in Beyin, Western Region, is built on stilts in the center of Lake Tadane. Only accessible by canoe, Nzulezo provides a visitor with a special insight into the lives of the locals who have coexisted with water over the centuries. Unlike the hectic lifestyle of Accra, Nzulezo offers calm and serenity and is therefore an ideal getaway to a traveler wishing to do something different. The whole village is built on stilts, and wooden walkways join the stilted houses. A visit to this place is like travelling back in time, where traditions are still very much alive and the environment is crucial in people living.

2. Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary:

Adorable Mona monkeys live side by side with the villagers in the Volta Regional's Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. What is special about this destination is the spiritual aspect between the people and the monkeys. These primates have been regarded sacred by the villagers and have been under protection more than 200 years. When walking through the sanctuary, you will be enveloped by the greenery and the friendly monkeys, which are not afraid to approach people. It is a good site to experience local culture as well as experience the rich biodiversity of Ghana. Not many tourists visit here but the tourists who do often talk about it as one of the best Hidden Gems in Ghana.

3. Shai Hills Resource Reserve:

Everyone goes to Kakum National Park but if you want to have something off the beaten path then go to Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Sitting an hour outside Accra, it is a mixture of savannah plains, rocky hills and cultural heritage sites. The reserve has baboons, antelopes, bushbucks and more than 175 species of birds. What is more interesting about Shai Hills is the fact that it is tied to the ancient Shai people whose caves and shrines can be still visited within the park. It is an ideal place to hike, wildlife viewing and to learn some of the unknown history of Ghana outside the busier tourist sites.

4. Lake Bosomtwe:

Located in the Ashanti Region, Lake Bosomtwe is the sole natural lake in Ghana that was created due to impact of a meteorite more than a million years ago. It is a tranquil spot surrounded by rolling hills and typical villages. The Ashanti people consider the lake to be sacred, believing that deceased people's souls visit there before moving on to the next world. Here, you can enjoy fishing, canoeing, or simply lounging on the lake's shoreline.

5. Boti Falls:

Nestled amid the rich foliage of the Eastern Region lies the twin waterfall known as Boti Falls. It is sometimes referred to as the male and female falls and when the two combine during the rainy season, local people say this is a spiritual union. Boti Falls is a less commercialized and rather quiet tourist attraction, although many tourists visit the more popular Wli Falls. The vicinity of the Boti Falls also has hiking trails to other scenic attractions such as the Umbrella Rock and the Three-Headed Palm.

6. Offbeat Trails of Mole National Park:

The Mole National Park is the largest wildlife reserve in the country and already quite popular, yet most tourists stay to the main safari routes. To get the real hidden experience you can traverse its eccentric paths with a local guide. These less-visited routes bring you further into the park where you are more likely to see the elephants, buffalo and even leopard in their natural habitat. The park also has walking safaris which are hard to come by in Africa and the visitor gets to have an up close experience with the wildlife on foot. By staying in eco-lodges near the park, you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful sunsets over the savannah that most casual tourists miss.

7. Larabanga Mosque:

One of the oldest mosques in West Africa, the Larabanga Mosque was built in the fifteenth century and is situated in Ghana's north. It is a beautiful landmark due to its unique Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture, which is little known to international tourists. The mosque is commonly called the Mecca of West Africa as it remains a religious site of worship by the local Muslim community. A visit to Larabanga gives you the opportunity to have a taste of history, religion and culture in a single place. It is a fulfilling visit to anyone who wants to explore northern Ghana and wants to get off the beaten tourist track.

8. Paga Crocodile Pond:

Paga is a town along the Burkina Faso border with a sacred crocodile pond where human beings live peacefully with the crocodiles. Compared to other regions of the world, you are allowed to be unbelievably close to these reptiles, even to sit next to them to take photos. The crocodiles are sacred and guarded by the community as souls of the ancestors. This strange and interesting attraction is nothing like in Ghana. It is an adventure, cultural beliefs and an experience in itself that one would never forget, thus making it a real hidden treasure worth visiting.

9. Buri Botanical Gardens:

Aburi Botanical Gardens is one of the most relaxing places that the majority of the tourists do not notice. The gardens, which were set up in the late 19 th century, are full of many plants of tropical origin and old trees that are centuries old. The gardens are both natural and historical attraction as they contain the structures of colonial times. Aburi is ideal to those who need to take a break out of the city. You are able to walk along shady paths, get to know about native plants, and have picnics in a serene and beautiful environment.

10. Lesser-Known Trails of Wli Waterfalls:

The tallest falls in Ghana, Wli Waterfalls is already an attraction. The main falls are visited by the vast majority of tourists, though. Those that are ready to see more can find secret paths that will take them to smaller falls and natural pools. These isolated areas provide an opportunity to go swimming and have a rest in privacy being surrounded by the lush vegetation of the Volta Region. You have to work a bit to hike these trails but it is worth it. You will have a chance to be enchanted by the beauty of the Ghana landscapes without having to deal with the masses of people, so it is one of the best Hidden Gems in Ghana to visit.

Conclusion:

Ghana is not just about what everybody knows. Sacred lakes and ancient mosques, crocodile ponds and stilt villages are just some of the surprises that most visitors miss in this country. Visiting these Hidden Gems in Ghana will not only make you explore the country off the beaten track, but it will also help you to understand the cultural diversity of the country, its natural beauty, and spiritual heritage better.

And don t forget to get your Ghana Tourist visa from Oman through reputable services such as Gokite Oman to have an easy time travelling. Your Ghana travel visa in hand, you will be able to enjoy the marvels that you are about to discover. The secret gems of Ghana will leave you with memories to last a lifetime, whether it be wandering through sacred forests, meeting friendly monkeys or admiring centuries old architecture. Book Gokite Oman and make your Ghana trip memorable.