About The Region
Volta Region is one of the ten regions in Ghana. It lies on the eastern side of the country. The region derived its name from the Volta River, which virtually separates it from the rest of the country. The region is unique in the sense that it is the longest of the regions and has all the ecological zones and ethnic groups found in Ghana living in it as indigenes. For this uniqueness, the region is described as a microcosm of the country.
Historically, the northern part of the region, with the exception of the regional capital, Ho, was part of the German colony, while the southern part was administered as part of the Gold Coast colony. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, its colony of Togoland was partitioned. One portion was placed under the protectorate of Britain as British Togo. The other, under the French protectorate, became French Togo, now the Republic of Togo.
The British protectorate of Togoland, later to be known as Trans-Volta Togoland (TVT), was administered by the Governor of the Gold Coast. After Ghana achieved independence in 1957, the Parliament adopted a resolution to merge and integrate the Trans-Volta Togoland with Ghana, under the name Volta Region.
Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
For the past 200 years, the Mona monkeys inhabiting the tropical forest surrounding the small village of Tafi-Atome have been protected because it was believed they were messengers to the gods. In 1996, the village began broader efforts to protect their forest and monkeys, as well as to offer tours for visitors.
As a result of these efforts, the monkey population has increased to about 200 and the forest, with its many species of birds and butterflies, has been preserved. The playful monkeys are wild but often come down very close to visitors.
Revenue from tourism has brought electricity to the village, as well as improvements to the school and a community clinic.
Things to Do
Stop at the visitor centre to arrange your tour and shop for village crafts in the small shop. A guide will lead you into the monkey sanctuary. Time: 1-1.5 hours.
Tour the village with a sanctuary guide, where you can see food being prepared and other daily activities. Time: 1 hour.
Visit a village pineapple farm and meet the farmer. Fresh pineapple may be available to buy. Time: 45 minutes.
See kente weaving at the nearby village of Tafi Abuipe, one of the principal weaving sites in Ghana. A guide can accompany you from Tafi-Atome or give you directions. Distance is 14 km by car or 7 km by trail if you walk or rent a bicycle. Time: 2 hours. Difficulty: 1 if transported to Abuipe by car or 2 if walking or biking from Tafi-Atome.
Enjoy evening entertainment including drumming, dancing or stories around a bonfire (1 hour each or combined program).
When to Visit
Monkeys are generally out any time of day except during November through January, when they leave the village forest to forage for food from roughly 6:00 – 8:00 am and 3:30 – 6:00 pm.
Accommodation, Food and Refreshments
The sanctuary offers a rustic 6-room guesthouse adjacent to the visitor Centre flush toilets, showers and sheets provided, but no towels. Homestays are also available. A community cook serves meals at a pleasant circular open-air shelter. Liquid refreshments are also available in the village.
Hours: 6 am to 6 pm daily
Getting there
43 km south of Hohoe. From the main Ho-Hohoe road at Logba Alekpeti, turn at the Monkey Sanctuary sign onto the dirt road for 5 km to the visitor centre. Tro-tros are available from Accra, Ho or Hohoe to Logba Alekpeti. Take a local taxi or walk the 5 k from the main road to the visitor centre.
Don’t Miss This!
Celebrate the Dayitsotsoke community celebration held on 2 January each year, featuring dancing, drumming, crafts and other cultural groups.
Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world
The Volta Region is the least-visited region in Ghana, even though it has quite a few tourist sites like mountains, waterfalls and lakes to offer.
Lake Volta is located in this region and is the largest artificial lake in the world. With a surface area of 8,502 square kilometres, Lake Volta flows around the whole country.
The prominent lake is contained by the Akosombo Dam and used to provide transportation. It also generates electricity for the people of Ghana. Volta Lake sustains a serene environment that allows you to feel free and release stress.
Wli Waterfalls, the displaying rainbow
Wli Waterfalls (pronounced ‘vlee’), also called Agumatsa Falls, is a popular and dramatic tourist site near the village of Wli not far from the Togo border. Most tourists make the easy walk to the lower falls, which is mostly a flat trail but stunning and beautiful in setting, made even more dramatic by the presence of thousands of fruit bats nesting high up on the nearby cliffs.
However, the equally high and much more isolated upper falls is a special treat for those with the stamina for the challenging hike. There are inviting pools at the base of both falls where the hearty can take a chilly dip.
The Wli waterfalls is the highest waterfall in West Africa. The falls is known locally as Agumatsa waterfalls – meaning, “Allow Me to Flow.” It is located in the Hohoe municipality of the Volta Region, the land of the Ewe culture. It is approximately 280 kilometers from the capital Accra. The walk takes you through the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, which features more than 200 bird species and 400 butterfly species.
Things to Do
- Hike with a tour guide to the lower falls on an easy, mostly flat trail that crosses two rivers 8 times on bridges. Time: 1.5hours.
- A branch from the main path with your guide to climb the steep and challenging trails to the upper falls. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Time: 4 hours.
- Visit the shrine of lesser gods, said to have been brought by village ancestors from Togo. Your guide will explain the history and other items of interest in the village. Time: 1 hour.
- See the village ostrich farm, a new project with an NGO to create sustainable jobs with income from the sale of eggs. Your guide will show you the 25 animals on the farm and explain its operation. Time: 1 hour.
When to visit
Wli is open year-round. The falls are most impressive from April to October when you can hear – and feel – the flow of water thundering down as it plunges down directly before collecting into a large pool below, exactly at the foot of the mountain. The hike to the upper falls is normally too slippery and treacherous during the rainiest months.
Accommodation, Food and Refreshments
A visitor centre at Wli Waterfalls offers shaded seating, beverages, a nice gift shop and flush toilets. Other artisans often display their work outside. Homestays can be arranged at the visitor centre and camping is also permitted there. Private lodging is available at two hotels in Wli that also serve food.
There are several great lodges in the area with stunning views and access to waterfall trails. Most of these are budget options.
There are basic refreshment stalls near the tourist office and car park. All of the guesthouses in the area offer good food.
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
Getting there
From Hohoe, drive east, turning right at Lipke Bakwa to reach Wli in 3 km. The visitor centre is on the edge of the village. Trotros travel these roads frequently.
Nearby Attractions:
Don’t Miss This!
Did you know Wli waterfalls is made up of 3 levels?
The 1st is the lower falls which is a straightforward 45m walk.
The 2nd is a 3-hour hike and you’ll need some stamina for this one and a good pair of hiking footwear.
The 3rd is a 5-hour hike definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Time your visit to the lower falls for the late afternoon and you may see the stunning sight of thousands of fruit bats taking flight from their roost to feed in surrounding forests.
