Volta Region & Eastern Highlands
Tema to Akosombo.
Once you head east out of Accra and pass the industrial zone of Tema, the land turns greener, the villages become quieter and there’s the breath of adventure on the land. Rocky outcrops jut out of the savannah, slowly turning to hill ranges. On the route between Tema and Akosombo, 31 miles (50 kilometres) from Accra, you’ll find the Shai Hills Resource Reserve, the nearest wildlife reserve to the city. The 52 square kilometres of savannah that make up the park are home to at least 175 species of bird, 31 different species of mammal and 13 species of reptiles. Located in hills around the area are the Se Yo and Obonu Tem caves. The vestiges of the former Shai community, which was abandoned after its people were forced out more than a century ago by the then-rulers, can also be seen in some parts of the reserve.
Further along is Akosombo, the gateway to the Volta Region. The town’s famous dam partly holds in the largest artificial body of water on the planet, Lake Volta, supplying much of the country with electricity. It covers 8,502 square kilometres (3,275 square miles) and has only existed since 1965. It’s a wonder of modern Africa, and as well as being a remarkable engineering feat is now also an essential part of Ghana’s physical make-up.
The southern end of Lake Volta is a popular weekend destination for visitors escaping the city. The impressive Royal Senchi Resort (see right) has become a fashionable retreat, but there are options for budget travellers too. Adventure tourism is taking off in the region, with canoe trips and a multitude of other water sports on offer, as well as good bird-watching. The heel of the lake and the town of Akosombo are a couple of hours from Accra. From Akosombo, it’s possible to catch a ferry across the Volta, while longer trips can be taken on the Yapei Queen, which twice a week runs the length of the lake – between Akosombo and Yeji – in around 24 hours.
