Wild Birding | Wild Ghana: Birding Specials

Wild Ghana: Birding Specials

per person

This privately guided 14-day tour explores the full sweep of Ghana’s birding highlights — from the coastal savannahs of Shai Hills and Winneba Plains to the lush Upper Guinea forests of Kakum, Ankasa, and Atewa, all the way north to the drier woodlands of Mole National Park. It’s a varied and well-paced route, designed to maximise species diversity while enjoying some of the most rewarding birding locations in West Africa.

We begin near Accra, birding the savannahs of Shai Hills and coastal grasslands of Winneba before heading west to Kakum National Park, where early mornings on the canopy walkway offer excellent views of forest hornbills, canopy sunbirds, and Upper Guinea greenbuls.

From there, we explore the lowland rainforest of Ankasa in search of elusive specials like Nkulengu Rail and White-breasted Guineafowl, before visiting the iconic Yellow-headed Picathartes nesting site — a true highlight.

In the north, we spend two full days in Mole National Park, targeting Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Carmine Bee-eater, and Pel’s Fishing Owl.

We finish with Egyptian Plover on the White Volta and forest birding at Bobiri and the Atewa Range — two of Ghana’s richest sites for Upper Guinea endemics.

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Bird count:

Expect to record between 350 and 450 species, including a wide range of Upper Guinea forest endemics and West African specials. Highlights include Yellow-headed Picathartes, Egyptian Plover, Nkulengu Rail, White-breasted Guineafowl, Congo Serpent Eagle, and African Dwarf Kingfisher — alongside a vibrant mix of sunbirds, hornbills, bee-eaters, greenbuls, and weavers. With good conditions, species diversity on this route is outstanding.

Pace:

Moderate – The tour covers a large section of the country, with some longer drives between key birding areas. However, we break up travel days with birding stops, and the itinerary is well-paced to allow for rest and rewarding birding at each destination.

Difficulty:

Moderate – Most walks are on forest trails or open savannah and are manageable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some rainforest sites, such as Ankasa and Atewa, can be humid and muddy, and access to the Picathartes colony includes a short but steep hike. Not suitable for those with reduced mobility.

Sustainability & Citizen Science:

We work with trusted, locally run lodges and conservation-conscious guides, ensuring your trip supports bird habitat protection and local livelihoods. Park fees and community levies are included.

As part of our commitment to citizen science, we encourage guests to log their sightings on eBird — contributing valuable data to bird conservation efforts across West Africa. We’re also happy to provide a carbon offset estimate on request.

Price:

As with all our tailor-made tours, pricing depends on the season, number of travellers, and specific preferences. Please get in touch for a personalised quote.

For our Set Departure Birding Tours, with fixed prices, please click the button below.

Tour Leader:

You’ll be travelling with Kwame, our lead bird guide in Ghana. Kwame is outstanding — highly respected in the West African birding community and brilliant in the field. He’s got an excellent ear for calls, a sharp eye for movement, and knows every inch of this route. He’s also fantastic company and a genuinely warm and welcoming guide.

Bird species highlights:

Yellow-headed Picathartes
Egyptian Plover
White-breasted Guineafowl
Nkulengu Rail
Congo Serpent Eagle
Long-tailed Hawk
Pel’s Fishing Owl
Fraser’s Eagle-Owl
Black Bee-eater
Blue-moustached Bee-eater
Red-cheeked Wattle-eye
African Dwarf Kingfisher
African Piculet
Blue Cuckooshrike
Yellow-footed Honeyguide
Tit Hylia
White-crested Hornbill
Western Nicator
Red-fronted Antpecker
Black Dwarf Hornbill

15 Days

Ghana

Included

Airport Transfers

Birding Telescope

Full board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Mineral Water

National Park Fees

Overnight In Top Safari Lodges

Professional Bird Guide

Professional Driver

Safari Vehicle

Updated Bird Checklist

WiFi

Our gallery

Arrival in Accra

Arrive at Kotoka International Airport and meet Kwame, your expert local Tour Leader. Transfer to Erata Hotel for an evening welcome briefing. Depending on arrival time, a short local walk may reveal Yellow-billed Shrike, Piapiac, or Splendid Sunbird.

Shai Hills Reserve & Winneba Plains

Early departure for Shai Hills, targeting White-crowned Cliff Chat, Oriole Warbler, and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater. In the afternoon, bird Winneba Plains for African Crake, Black-winged Kite, and Croaking Cisticola.

Kakum Canopy Walk & Abrafo Forest

At dawn, walk the canopy walkway in Kakum National Park. Highlights may include Congo Serpent Eagle, Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Tit Hylia, and Blue Cuckooshrike. Afternoon birding at Abrafo Forest for upper Guinea specials.

Antwikwaa Forest & Brenu Beach Road

Explore Antwikwaa for African Piculet, Yellow-footed Honeyguide, and Red-cheeked Wattle-eye. In the afternoon, bird Brenu Beach Road for edge species like Whinchat, Black-crowned Tchagra, and African Hobby.

Kakum Forest & Night Birding

Final morning at Kakum for any missed targets. Evening outing for Akun Eagle-Owl, Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, and Brown Nightjar.

Travel to Ankasa Forest Reserve

Transfer to Ankasa with birding stops en route. Arrive in time to explore forest edge trails. Look for Cassin’s Flycatcher, Western Olive Sunbird, and Hartlaub’s Duck.

Full Day Birding in Ankasa Forest

Early search for Nkulengu Rail and White-breasted Guineafowl. Continue into dense rainforest for African Finfoot, Red-fronted Antpecker, Shining-blue Kingfisher, and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo.

Rock Pratincoles & Picathartes Colony

Today is the big day! Drive inland via a Rock Pratincole site. After lunch, walk to a Yellow-headed Picathartes nesting colony — one of Africa’s greatest birding moments. Later, continue north to Kumasi.

Opuro Forest & Drive to Mole National Park

Morning visit to Opuro Forest for Fiery-breasted Bushshrike and Black Sparrowhawk. Birding en route to Mole includes Swallows, Firefinches, and Cisticolas as the landscape shifts to savannah.

Birding & Wildlife in Mole National Park

Morning game drive and afternoon walk in Mole. Targets include Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham’s Bustard, Red-throated Bee-eater, Martial Eagle, and Roan Antelope.

Full Day in Mole National Park

Explore gallery forest, riverbanks, and savannah. Look for Pel’s Fishing Owl, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Forbes’s Plover, White-fronted Black Chat, and Patas Monkey.

Egyptian Plover & Transfer to Kumasi

Morning visit to the White Volta River for Egyptian Plover — a top target of the trip. After good views, begin the long transfer south with birding stops along the way.

Bobiri Forest & Butterfly Sanctuary

Morning birding in Bobiri Forest. Highlights may include Long-tailed Hawk, Narina Trogon, Fire-bellied Woodpecker, and Black Dwarf Hornbill. Later transfer to Atewa Forest.

Atewa Range Forest Reserve – Return to Accra

Final morning in Atewa Forest for Blue-moustached Bee-eater, Baumann’s Greenbul, Black Bee-eater, and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill. Return to Accra in the afternoon.