Top 7 Places To Go Birdwatching In Accra, Ghana
- Avian Lens
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
Ghana is a fantastic place to watch birds, with over 700 species recorded across its diverse landscapes. In Accra alone, a little over 180 species have been documented, ranging from coastal migrants that stop along our shores to feed, to forest specialists that thrive in the city’s remaining green spaces. The mix of wetlands, scrublands, lagoons, gardens, and small forest patches within and around the capital creates pockets of rich biodiversity where both resident and migratory birds can be seen throughout the year.
If you’re wondering about the best places to go birdwatching in Accra, you’re in the right place. Here are 10 fantastic spots where you can experience a remarkable variety of bird species within the city and its surroundings.
7 Amazing Places To Go Birdwatching In Accra, Ghana
1. Pambros:
Located within the Densu Delta in Accra, Pambros is one of the best places to visit if you want to see a wide range of waterbirds. The site is a salt-production area, with large pans separated by waterways and shallow pools that attract numerous species. It’s also a popular fishing spot, with a calm, scenic atmosphere that makes it perfect for birdwatching.
Here, you can expect to encounter birds such as Pied Kingfishers, Common Sandpipers, Reed Cormorants, Little Terns, Black-winged Stilts, Black-winged Kites, Whimbrels, various Cisticolas, and many others.
2. Legon Botanical Gardens:
Another amazing and very popular spot for birdwatching in Accra is the Legon Botanical Gardens. This site hosts an impressive variety of bird species, and some of my most surprising records have come from here. We have recorded the Northern Red-billed Hornbill, a species typically restricted to the northern parts of Ghana, multiple times at the botanical gardens. The gardens are also home to two of my favourite birds, the Guinea Turaco and the Violet Turaco, whose colours alone make the trip worthwhile.
Other species you can expect to see include Snowy-crowned Robin-Chats, White-crowned Robin-Chats, Grey Woodpeckers, Lizard Buzzards, and many more. With such diversity, you will never be bored at Legon Botanical Gardens.
For the best experience, visit early in the morning when bird activity is at its highest, and aim to arrive no later than 6:00 a.m.
3. Parks and Gardens:
Looking to see some sunbirds? The Department of Parks and Gardens is the perfect place for you. As the name suggests, the area is filled with flowering plants, an irresistible attraction for sunbirds. You will need permission to birdwatch inside the premises and may be required to pay a small entrance fee. Nonetheless, it is a nice spot to relax and watch birds.
4. Dowenya Irrigation Dam:
Another beautiful spot for birdwatching is in Dowenya. Here, you’ll get a wonderful mix of waterbirds and forest species in one place. The reserve even has an area where tourists can view ostriches. Although it’s a bit farther from the city and the traffic can make the trip feel long, the experience is absolutely worth it.
You can begin birding right from the entrance, where species like the White-throated Bee-eater, Greenshank, Sandpipers, and even the Dideric Cuckoo may greet you. The reserve’s distance from central Accra also means it is quieter and more peaceful, making it a perfect escape for anyone who wants to enjoy birds in a calm, natural setting.
5. Sakumono Lagoon:
The Sakumono Lagoon, also known as the Sakumono Ramsar Site, is one of the richest birdwatching locations in Accra. Almost any coastal waterbird you hope to see can be found here. From Spur-winged Lapwings, Little Terns, Black-winged Stilts, and Greater Painted-Snipes to Whimbrels, Common Sandpipers, Reed Cormorants, and various herons and egrets, the lagoon is always alive with activity.
The only challenge, however, is the increasing human pressure surrounding the lagoon. Expanding farms, frequent burning, settlement encroachment, and ongoing debates about the enforcement of its protected status all threaten the integrity of this vital wetland. Despite these pressures, Sakumono remains an important refuge for dozens of resident and migratory species
6. Achimota Forest:
Achimota Forest is one of Accra’s most well-known green spaces, often surrounded by stories and controversies, but beyond all that, it remains an exceptional birdwatching location. Its proximity to the Legon Botanical Gardens means both sites share many of the same forest-dwelling species.
You can expect to see birds such as Turacos, hornbills, robin-chats, woodpeckers, greenbuls, sunbirds, and many more. The forest offers a peaceful escape from the city, with quiet trails where bird activity is high, especially early in the morning.
It is generally a quiet and peaceful place for birding, except for a few sections that have been designated for church activities. If you want the best experience, walk farther into the zoo area, where the noise drops and the forest becomes calmer. This is where you’ll encounter more species and enjoy uninterrupted birdwatching.
7. Shai Hills:
Shai Hills is one of the most accessible and exciting birdwatching locations near Accra. The reserve offers a mix of savanna and rocky habitats, which attract a variety of species. Here, you can spot birds such as the White-crowned Cliff Chat, Black-crowned Tchagra, and various sunbirds, weavers, and raptors soaring above the hills.
Early mornings are the best time to visit, as the birds are most active and the lighting is perfect for photography.
