Green is the colour of balance and harmony. And sometimes we all need a bit of that in the midst of a busy city like Accra. While a trip to Aburi Botanical Garden might not cure everything, it will certainly bring momentary peace and well-being.
This lush beautiful garden, is situated in Aburi 32 km north from Accra, and is popular with bird and butterfly watchers. It is a great destination for picnics, especially if you set up your blanket under the shade of 160-year-old kapok trees.
Spread out over 10 different lawn areas, you’ll find statues like the deserted helicopter and carved wood trunks. For food, bring a picnic or you can or have lunch at one of the three different restaurants on site.
Visitors are free to tour the park on their own, or have a guided walk to hear about the history, creation, and evolution of botany in Ghana. This is where you can find some of the oldest trees in the entire region.
The high altitude makes Aburi noticeably cooler than neighboring Accra. Don't forget to enjoy the view on the way up, as climbing the hillsides of Aburi offers a picturesque view of Greater Accra.
Officially opened in 1890, the now century-old garden was originally established as a sanatorium for Gold Coast government officials.
The garden has had many roles over the years, including plant introduction, teaching methods of modern agriculture and played an important role in cocoa production in South Ghana.
Today, the garden plays an important role as one of the world's 1,800 botanical gardens, and is leading the fight to save plant diversity through, research, conservation of medicinal plants, plant multiplication, and environmental education.