Shai Hills and Krobo day trip
A reserve full of baboons and caves, paired with Ghana's famous bead country, makes an easy and different day out of Accra. Here is how to do it.
The short answer
- Shai Hills Resource Reserve sits just off the Accra to Akosombo road, an easy hour or so from the city.
- Expect baboons, antelope, birdlife, caves and short hikes up rocky hills.
- Nearby Krobo country, around Odumase and Somanya, is the home of Ghana's glass beads.
- The two combine into a satisfying full day that mixes nature and craft.
- It is close to Accra, so a half-day is possible, but a full day is more relaxed.
- A car and driver makes linking the reserve and bead villages simple.
At a glance
| Reserve | Shai Hills Resource Reserve |
|---|---|
| Location | Off the Accra to Akosombo road, Greater Accra |
| Wildlife | Baboons, antelope, birds; caves and hills |
| Nearby | Krobo bead country around Odumase and Somanya |
| Trip length | Half day to a full day |
| Getting there | Private car and driver, or tro-tro plus taxi |
An easy day with real variety
Shai Hills is one of the closest patches of proper wild country to Accra, and it makes a refreshing change from the coast. The reserve rises out of flat plains in a cluster of rocky hills, home to troops of baboons, grazing antelope and plenty of birds, with caves that once sheltered the Shai people.
Pair it with the nearby Krobo bead-making country and you have a day that mixes nature, gentle hiking and living craft, all within easy reach of the city. As a Kasoa-based team who run this loop often, we rate it as one of the better-value days out of Accra, precisely because it packs so much variety into a short drive.
It also suits travellers who want a taste of wildlife but do not have the days to spare for the long haul north to Mole. You will not see elephants here, and we are honest about that, but for baboons, birds, caves and a proper little hike, it delivers close to home.
For other options nearby, see our Accra day trips guide.
Inside Shai Hills Resource Reserve
At the reserve you take a guide, and most visitors combine a short drive with a walk. The baboons are the stars and are very used to vehicles, so keep windows up and food out of sight, as they are bold opportunists. You may also spot kob and other antelope on the plains.
The hills themselves offer short but rewarding climbs to caves and viewpoints, where the plains stretch out below. Some of the caves were used as refuge and worship sites by the Shai people before the reserve was created, and your guide will explain the history as you go. It is real, if gentle, hiking, so wear proper shoes and carry water; the rock can be hot and exposed, and there is little shade at the top.
If you enjoy the walking, our hiking in Ghana guide suggests other trails to try.
Krobo bead country
A short drive on, the Krobo area around Odumase and Somanya is the heartland of Ghana's famous recycled-glass beads. At bead-making villages and workshops you can watch craftspeople crush and fire glass in clay moulds, and the results, from simple strands to elaborate ceremonial pieces, are among the country's most distinctive souvenirs.
Buying directly supports the makers, and it is a genuinely hands-on stop that children enjoy too, as some workshops will let you have a go at threading or stringing beads yourself. Quality and prices vary a good deal, so take your time, ask how a piece was made, and agree prices clearly before you buy. The big regional bead markets, when they fall on the right day, are a spectacle in themselves.
Our what to buy in Ghana guide has more on beads and other crafts worth seeking out.
Getting there and combining them
Both sights lie along the Accra to Akosombo road, which makes them easy to string together. You can reach the area by tro-tro and taxi, but linking the reserve with the bead villages that way is fiddly and eats time. A car and driver is far simpler and lets you set your own pace.
Because it is so close to Accra, a half-day is feasible if you are short on time, though a full day lets you enjoy both without rushing and leaves room for a relaxed lunch on the way. Our getting around Ghana guide explains the transport options in more detail.
Start early to catch wildlife in the cooler hours and to beat the midday heat on the hills. The reserve is also a natural add-on if you are already heading east towards Akosombo or Ada, so it slots neatly into a longer eastern outing.
Honest tips before you go
Carry cash for entry, guide fees and beads, as card payment is not reliable out here. Confirm current reserve fees and opening times locally on the day rather than trusting figures that may have changed. Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip for the rock.
Keep food hidden from the baboons, respect the workshops as working places rather than photo sets, and ask before photographing people. First time in the country? Skim our Ghana travel tips for first-timers before you set out.
Plan your Shai Hills and Krobo day
Close to the city, easy to combine and genuinely varied, Shai Hills and Krobo make one of the more satisfying short trips out of Accra. We are happy to arrange it around your interests and pace.
Tell us your dates and we will map a relaxed route. Start with our tours page and arrange transfers through airport cars.
Questions people ask
Where is Shai Hills Resource Reserve?
It lies just off the Accra to Akosombo road in the Greater Accra Region, roughly an hour or so from the city depending on traffic. That closeness makes it one of the easiest wildlife and hiking day trips you can do out of Accra.
What can you see at Shai Hills?
Troops of baboons are the highlight, along with antelope such as kob, plenty of birds, and caves once used by the Shai people. Short climbs lead to viewpoints over the plains, so it combines easy wildlife watching with gentle hiking.
Can you combine Shai Hills with Krobo bead villages?
Yes, and it makes a great day. The Krobo bead-making area around Odumase and Somanya is a short drive on along the same road, so you can pair wildlife and hiking in the morning with a bead workshop in the afternoon.
Are the baboons at Shai Hills dangerous?
They are wild and very bold around vehicles, so keep windows up and food out of sight, as they will grab anything they can reach. Follow your guide's instructions and treat them with respect, and they are simply part of the experience.
Do I need a car for a Shai Hills day trip?
You can reach the area by tro-tro and taxi, but linking the reserve with the bead villages that way is fiddly and time-consuming. A car and driver is far simpler, lets you set your own pace and makes an early wildlife start easy.
Is Shai Hills good for families?
It can be. The wildlife, caves and bead-making are engaging for children, and the hikes are short. Keep a close eye on little ones around the baboons and on the rocks, carry water and sun protection, and start early to avoid the midday heat.
What I know about Ghanaian travel comes from doing it: filing passport and visa applications, booking flights and hotels, collecting people from arrivals at two in the morning, and driving the Accra, Tema, Cape Coast and Kumasi runs week after week. Where this guide describes how something works, it is because we have done it.
Rules, fees and timetables in Ghana change. I have deliberately not quoted figures that go stale — where a number matters I name the office to confirm it with. If you spot something out of date, tell me and we will fix it.
Related guides.
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