Tamale Metropolitan, Northern
Tamale Central Mosque
The soaring minarets of Tamale's oldest mosque dominate the skyline of Ghana's fastest-growing northern city.
4.3 (4 reviews)
Entry fee
Free to attend as a spectator
Opening hours
Festival day events typically run late morning through evening; times vary by year
Best time to visit
During the Damba festival period (dates follow the Dagomba lunar calendar, typically falling between July and September; confirm exact dates with the Ghana Tourism Authority ahead of travel).
Address
Jubilee Park / central durbar grounds, Tamale, Northern Region
STC and VIP buses run daily from Accra to Tamale (10-12 hours); Africa World Airlines and PAV fly Accra-Tamale in about 1 hour. Once in Tamale, the durbar/festival grounds are a short taxi ride from the main lorry station or city centre hotels.
Book Tamale accommodation well ahead of festival dates, as hotels fill quickly. Bring sun protection, arrive early for a good vantage point along the procession route, and expect large, joyful crowds.
Only happens once a year so check the dates carefully before planning your trip. Once it starts, the energy of the crowd is unmatched.
We showed up an hour before start and it was already impossible to get a decent view without VIP access. If you don't know someone locally, you'll be stuck at the back straining to see the horses.
Loud, colorful, chaotic in a good way. Bring earplugs if drumming for hours bothers you. Food vendors around sell decent kebabs while you wait for the procession.
Royal pageantry on full display, chiefs in full regalia on horses. My family and I watched from the edge of the crowd, plenty of room even for kids. An unbelievable cultural experience.
The horseback processions and drumming during Damba are incredible, way more intense than photos suggest. Get there early to find a good spot, it gets packed. This alone is worth flying into Tamale for.
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