Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Sanctuary, a pleasant sightseeing

The Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Sanctuary is 54 square kilometres of virgin semi-deciduous tropical rainforest offering natural delights and one of the nicest ecotourism visitor centres and guesthouses in Ghana. See Bobiri’s massive trees, a wide variety of birds, landscape butterfly garden (to showcase the sanctuary’s 400-plus butterfly species) and arboretum with plant labels. Each room of the guesthouse and visitor centre features a different mural painting created by a talented local artist.

Things to Do

Enjoy the visitor centre’s comfortable chairs and shaded porch as you plan your hike and meet your guide. The centre also offers Ghanaian board games for relaxation and local drums to try.

Take a guided nature walk which includes the sanctuary’s oldest tree (300-plus years) and its largest (it takes 24 people joining outstretched arms to encompass the tree). Time: 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the trail chosen.

Tour the arboretum near the visitor centre either with a guide or on your own. Time: 30 minutes.

When to Visit

The forest is enjoyable anytime, but butterflies are most abundant March through June, with May being the peak most visible and active between 11 am – 4 pm on warm, sunny days. Sturdy shoes are recommended for hiking, as well as rain gear during the rainy season.

Accommodations, Food and Refreshments

The guesthouse adjacent to the visitors centre offers 4 rooms with 2 double beds each and a self-contained bath with shower, as well as 2 single units with 1double bed each and shared bath flush toilets, sheets, towels and mosquito netting provided. Camping is also available. Meals are prepared by an onsite cook at the guesthouse and beverages are available. Hotels are available in Ejisu, and nearby communities of Kumasi 30 km away.

Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm daily (hikes offered 6 am – 4 pm)

Getting there

Bobiri is just off the main Accra-Kumasi Road and directional for the turnoff at Kubease. Take the dirt road from the village 3.5 km to the visitor centre. By tro-tro from Accra, ask to be dropped off at Kubease and then hire a taxi or walk 3.5 km to the guesthouse. From Kumasi, take a tro-tro to Ejisu, then hire a taxi or take a second tro-tro to Kubease.