Wa West District, Upper West
Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary
A community-run conservation area along the Black Volta where visitors canoe out to view wild hippos in one of Ghana's most successful eco-tourism projects.
3.6 (5 reviews)
Entry fee
GHS 20 (courtesy donation for guided audience)
Opening hours
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, by prior arrangement
Best time to visit
During the Damba festival (dates vary annually, typically around the Islamic calendar) for full ceremonial activity
Address
Wa Naa's Palace, Wa, Wa Municipal, Upper West Region, Ghana
Wa is the regional capital. STC and VIP buses connect directly from Tamale (about 3–4 hours) and Kumasi (roughly 8–9 hours). The palace sits centrally within Wa town, walkable from the main lorry station.
Arrange your visit through the traditional council in advance, dress modestly, bring kola nuts as a customary courtesy gift, and ask before photographing the chief directly.
Arrived and were told the chief was in a meeting so we couldn't go past the gate. Nobody warned us this could happen. Call ahead if you're making a special trip.
The Wa Naa's palace has survived centuries and you can feel it. Our guide walked us through the succession system and how the chieftaincy works, genuinely fascinating stuff I hadn't read anywhere else.
Interesting from the outside but there isn't much to actually do once you're there, mostly photos. A guide would help explain the history better than we got.
The Sudanese architecture style is worth the visit alone, mud walls and flat roofs like nothing else I've seen in Ghana. We were allowed into the outer courtyard but not the inner palace.
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