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Kakum National Park is a Cape Coast favorite for tourists traveling to Ghana, Africa. While the park itself is nice, it is a bit disappointing that visitors are not allowed to wander around on their own or go off the main trail. However, the canopy walk is worth the trip.
Getting to Kakum National Park can be done by using the tro-tro (the Ghanian form of a minibus or shared taxi) or a private taxi. The tro-tros sometimes take a long time and there is no set schedule, so you could find yourself waiting for quite a bit. However, this option is extremely cheap and will usually cost you less than 1 Ghana Cedi. If you are looking for a more convenient option, you can pay a taxi driver a set price to take you to the park, wait for you while you explore, and then drive you back to your accommodation. Many tourists stay at the Hans Cottage Botel and if you are staying at this hotel you can hire a taxi for 40 Ghana Cedis, although I was able to talk my driver down to 30 Ghana Cedis. If you are staying closer to Cape Coast Castle, for example, at the Oasis, expect to pay a bit more.
The price for the canopy walk is 30 Ghana Cedi, however, if you are a student bring your ID (or anything that semi-resembles a student ID) and the price will be reduced to 15 Ghana Cedi. Once you pay, you will join a group and be led by a guide who will bring you through the forest and to the canopy walk.
Imagine a swinging bridge, set high above the tree tops. Because people do not walk one at a time but instead many people at one time on the bridge, expect a lot of bouncing and shaking. If you are afraid of heights, don't look down, as the combination of being high in the air on unsturdy planks of ancient looking wood is enough to make you cry. At one point, the swinging bridge shifted to the left so much that my ankle rolled and I fully expected to fall over the edge.
While scary, the experience is a lot of fun. There are also ropes that you can hold onto while you are walking. And, if you are really scared, there is a shorter, alternative route that allows you to complete the walk by crossing only 4 arial bridges.
If you are looking to experience the natural side of Ghana, I would recommend heading to the Volta region instead of Cape Coast. However, if you are looking to experience something that will get your heart racing and your palms sweating from a mixture of fear and excitement, head over to Kakum National Park and do the canopy walk.
Jessie, a New York native, is a world traveler who loves nothing more than her backpack. With a focus on budget travel, hiking, extreme thrills, and volunteering, she is always looking for a new adventure. Follow her travels around the world and the Big Apple on her blog at http://jessieonajourney.com/.
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