The Ankasa Conservation Area is one of the largest forest reserves in West Africa, located in Ghana in the Western region. The forest has been tightly protected by Ghana since the 1950s when the decision was made to make the area a forest reserve and protect it from human activities like logging.
In terms of land size, the forest covers a land size of 500km2 and is one of the few reserves in Ghana that consist of tropical evergreen rainfall and sees huge amount of rainfall throughout the year, making it an ideal forest for wildlife.
The wildlife population of the forest is also quite impressive with over 180 species of birds and 630 species of butterflies, while animals like elephant, monkeys, chimpanzees and leopards can also be found in the park in their numbers.
Within the forest are other attractions aside the animals. These include the famous Suhien river which flows through the forest and forms a wonderful waterfall and the Nini Suhien National Park which is mostly used as a picnic and camping grounds for families and groups. The park occupies over 180km2 out of the 500km2 of the entire forest reserve.
Like most forest reserves, the area is opened to tourists and visitors who wish to tour the forest and experience the beauty of nature, but activities like animal hunting and wood logging in the forest are considered criminal and prohibited. Basic facilities like toilets, tent shelters for tired tourists and good water are readily available in the forest.
Information for visiting tourists
Ankasa Conservation Area is located in the Western region, close to the town of Axim and near Ghana’s border with Cote d’Ivoire. It is 365 kilometres from the national capital, Accra, meaning tourists from the national capital who intend to visit the forest must set off in the morning as it is about a six hour road trip.
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