The forest reserve along the Red Volta brings together two aspects of nature: wildlife, including elephants, and a variety of rare tree species. The reserve is also one of the tourist attractions in Bawku West District. If nature is an important factor in choosing a destination, it offers a clear point of reference.
Nature and Landscape in Bawku West District
Tourist attractions in the district include the Teshie Hills and the Soogo Hills. The confluence of the Red and White Volta is another attraction. The waterfalls at Zongoire add another landscape feature to the selection. Together, these names point to different aspects of nature: hills, a river confluence, waterfalls and the forest reserve.
The Widnaba Eco-tourist Site and the Apotdabogo Eco-tourist Site are also tourist attractions. So far, the tourist sites in the district have seen little development for tourism. Being designated an attraction should therefore not be taken to mean that extensive tourist infrastructure is in place. Check the current accessibility of individual sites before planning specific visits.
The different names give you a starting point for sorting your interests: the reserve focuses on wildlife and rare trees, while the hills, river confluence and waterfalls represent other aspects of the landscape. This allows you to explore Bawku West through its natural features without assuming that the individual sites form a single route.
Festivals and Cultural Themes
Yourg is associated with cultural practices in Bawku West District. Yong and Zintas are also named as festivals in the district. These three names complement the focus on landscape and nature with a cultural perspective. If you want to plan a trip specifically around one of these festivals, check its date before booking.
Further Cultural Context in Upper East
In Upper East, European architecture and local building techniques come together at the Old Navrongo Catholic Cathedral in Navrongo. The structure is made entirely of mud bricks plastered with mud mortar. The cathedral offers a concrete example of the interplay between architecture and building materials. Another point of interest is the Tongo-Tengzuk Cultural Landscape: between December and February, the Harmattan wind can produce a whistling sound as it blows through the rocks.
The history and cultural significance of individual places are also among the themes of Upper East. Ba’ar Tonna’ab Ya’nee is considered the best-known shrine in the Tongo-Tengzuk Cultural Landscape. Asante traditionalists call it Nana Tongo and frequently visit it. Around 1911, during British attempts at colonization, the local chief sought refuge in the Hiding Caves and commanded his troops from there. The chief and other leaders met in the Hyena Caves during their struggle against the British. These examples add to the distinct regional context of Upper East; they are not features of Bawku West District.
Discover more destinations: Teshie
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