Kakum
National Park is a 375 square km national park located in the Central Region
of Ghana. The 350 square kilometer park was first established in 1960. It is
located 30km north of Cape Coast and Elmina near the small town of Abrafo.
The entire area is covered with tropical rainforest.
In the park gamekeepers are
specially trained in the medical and cultural significance of the local
foliage. Kakum National Park contains rare animals, including the endangered
Mona-meerkat, as well as pygmy elephants, forest buffalo, civet cats, a wide
array of birds, and over 500 species of butterflies.
Kakum National Park has
a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level known as the
"Canopy Walkway." At 40 m (130 ft) height, the visitor can approach the
plants and animals from a vantage point that would otherwise be
inaccessible to people. The Canopy Walkway passes over 7 bridges and
runs over a length of 330 m (1,080 ft). It is secured by a series of
nets and wires for safety purposes. An additional viewing platform that
will allow visitors to climb into the canopy without braving the Canopy
Walkway is currently under construction.
The park is located
30km to the North of Cape Coast and is easily accessible by
taxis from the city center, and through organized tour
buses. The park welcome centre contains a restaurant, a
Rainforest Lodge, a picnic area, a camping area, and a
wildlife education center. |