Aburi Botanical Gardens

Aburi Botanical Gardens is the classic half-day or day trip from Accra, a cool, green escape on the ridge of the Akuapem Hills about 30 kilometres north of the city. The site began as a sanatorium built in 1875 for Gold Coast government officials who wanted relief from the coastal heat. The garden itself was opened in March 1890 under Governor William Brandford-Griffith with the Ghanaian physician Dr John Farrell Easmon, and its first curator, William Crowther, had trained at Kew. In its early decades the garden helped introduce and promote crops such as cocoa and rubber in the colony.

The gardens cover about 160 acres, although only a small part is landscaped; the rest is kept as a botanical reserve. The best-known feature is the long avenue of royal palms leading towards the car park, which makes a fine first impression. Elsewhere you will find towering silk cotton trees, mahogany, cedar and silver oak, a spiny palm, a giant fig, a rock garden, the Bush House and a pergola walk known locally as Lovers Lane. A sculpture carved from the trunk of a dead tree and a retired helicopter parked in the grounds are popular stops for photographs, and the site also houses a School of Horticulture.

The gardens suit families, couples and anyone who wants a slower day after the noise of central Accra. Walking is gentle on mostly level paths, and guides can explain the origins, ages and medicinal uses of the plants, which brings the collection to life. Bring a picnic or plan to eat in Aburi town.

The official tourism site gives opening hours of 08:30 to 16:00 daily, but confirm locally before travelling, especially on public holidays. Arrive in the morning to make the most of the cooler air, which is noticeably fresher than on the coast. Allow two to three hours in the gardens, plus travel time. Wear comfortable shoes and carry insect repellent and water.

By car, Aburi is roughly 45 minutes from Accra on a dual carriageway, depending on traffic, which can be heavy at weekends and in the evening rush. Trotros and minibuses run from Tema Station in central Accra, Odawna near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and Madina. Many visitors instead join a guided day trip or hire a driver for the day.