East of the Volta River, Ghana folds into green hills, and the pace changes completely. The Volta Region is the country’s outdoors playground — home to its highest waterfall, its highest mountain, sacred monkey forests, a vast lake and the Anlo-Ewe culture of the coast. It’s quieter and greener than the rest of Ghana, underrated precisely because it takes a detour to reach — which is exactly why it’s worth one. Here’s what to do across the Volta, when to go, and how to get there.
The vibe
Lush, active and laid-back. The Volta Region runs from the Anlo-Ewe coast and Keta Lagoon in the south up through rolling, mist-topped hills along the Togo border. This is where you come to hike, chase waterfalls, meet sacred monkeys and slow down — a nature-and-culture counterpoint to the coast and the cities. The Ewe people give it a distinct language, food and festival calendar.
Top things to do in the Volta Region
| Sight | What it is |
|---|---|
| Wli Waterfalls | The highest waterfall in West Africa (upper & lower falls) |
| Mount Afadja (Afadjato) | Ghana’s highest peak (885m), ~2.5hr climb |
| Amedzofe & Mt Gemi | Ghana’s highest settlement; cross-topped summit |
| Tafi Atome | Community monkey sanctuary (sacred Mona monkeys) |
| Tagbo Falls | A scenic hike-in waterfall near Liati Wote |
| Keta Lagoon & Fort Prinzenstein | Coastal lagoon, history and birdlife |
| Ho | The regional capital & museum |
For the falls and peaks in depth, see our waterfalls and mountains & hikes guides.
Waterfalls and mountains
Wli Waterfalls, near Hohoe, is the headline — the tallest in West Africa, a flat walk to the lower falls and a sweaty climb to the upper. Nearby, Mount Afadja (Afadjato) is Ghana’s highest peak, climbable in a morning from Liati Wote, often paired with Tagbo Falls. Further west, Amedzofe — Ghana’s highest settlement — offers the short, rewarding climb of Mt Gemi and a canopy walkway. It’s the best hiking cluster in the country.
Monkeys, lagoons and the coast
At Tafi Atome, generations of protection mean the sacred Mona monkeys have lost their fear of people and will come right up to you — a magical, low-key wildlife encounter. Down on the coast, the Keta Lagoon sits on a sliver of land between fresh and salt water near Cape St Paul lighthouse and the haunting ruins of Fort Prinzenstein, deep Anlo-Ewe country and home to the grand Hogbetsotso festival each November.
When to go
The Volta is uniquely good in the rainy season (May–October), when the waterfalls run hardest and the hills are emerald — just allow extra travel time for the roads. The dry season is easier going and still beautiful. See our best time to visit guide.
Getting there and around
The Volta Region is east of Accra: Ho is around 3 hours by road, Hohoe and the Wli/Afadja area roughly 4–5 hours. A hired car or driver is the easiest way to link the scattered hills and falls. It pairs naturally with a Lake Volta/Akosombo stop on the way (Eastern Region). Build in slack — this is a region to take slowly.
Explore the Volta Region’s attractions
Tap any place for the full details, map and visitor tips.
Amedzofe
Ghana's highest settlement — cool mountain air, the Amedzofe canopy walk and Ote Falls. The base for climbing Mount Gemi.
Fort Prinzenstein, Keta
A Danish slave fort on the far-eastern Keta coast, its haunting ruins half-claimed by the sea.
Hogbetsotso Festival
The Anlo-Ewe festival (Nov) marking the migration from Notsie - a grand durbar at Anloga.
Keta Beach
Far-east shore on a sliver of land between the Atlantic and Keta Lagoon, near Cape St Paul lighthouse and Fort Prinzenstein's ruins.
Mount Afadjato
Ghana's tallest free-standing peak (885m), in the Agumatsa range near Liati Wote. About a 2.5-hour climb — steep near the top, with…
Mount Gemi
A 611m peak above Amedzofe topped by an iron cross from the German mission era — a short climb to 360° views…
Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
Wild mona monkeys come to you. Community-run. Combine with Wli Falls trip.
Tagbo Falls
A quiet 60m fall reached by a 45-minute forest hike from Liati Wote — far less crowded than Wli. Best paired with…
Tsatsadu Falls
A pretty Volta-region cascade near Alavanyo with a cool natural pool and an easy forest walk in.
Wli Falls
Tallest waterfall in West Africa. 45-min hike. Rainy season = spectacular.
Where to stay
Lodges and guesthouses cluster around Hohoe and the Wli/Afadjato area (the base for the falls and the peak), up in Amedzofe for the cool highland air, and in Ho, the regional capital. Down on the coast, Keta has relaxed lagoon-side options. Most are simple and locally run — part of the region’s low-key charm.
A suggested Volta loop
- Day 1: Accra to Akosombo (Lake Volta), on to Ho.
- Day 2: Amedzofe — Mt Gemi and the canopy walk — then to Hohoe.
- Day 3: early Mount Afadja climb and Wli Waterfalls; Tafi Atome monkeys on the way back.
What to pack
Bring proper walking shoes for the hikes, a packable rain layer (the falls are best in the wet season, when roads are muddier), insect repellent, and plenty of water — the climbs are sweaty work in the humidity. See our packing list.
The bottom line
The Volta Region is Ghana’s green escape — waterfalls, peaks, sacred monkeys and a lagoon coast, all at a gentler pace. Hike Wli and Afadja, let the Tafi Atome monkeys climb onto your arm, and round it off on the Keta coast. Come in the rains for the falls at full force, hire a driver to link it all, and give it the couple of days it deserves. Plan it into a wider loop with our itinerary and things to do guides.
