Digya National Park
Digya National Park is Ghana’s second largest National Park located in Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti Regions, covering an area of 3,743 Sq.km and it is bordered by Lake Voltain the South, North and East– Lake Volta is the world’s largest man-made lake.
The park also lies ona lowland peninsular which has an undulating landscape with various landforms and vegetation types. Some areas are covered with savannahwoodland,tall grass, riverine forests, small hilly outcrops, perennial streams and forested areas.
Digya is was created in 1900 as a reserve hence the country’s oldest protected area, but by 1971, it was established as a National Park. The Park is home to about 6 primate species such as the Patas monkey, Mona monkey, Green monkey, Olive baboons and Black and white colobus monkeys. Other wildlife species include; Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes, Jackals, Genets, Duikers, Servals, Civets, Crocodiles, Pottos, Bushbucks, waterbucks, leopards, Galagos, and Snakes among others. Also the Clawless otter and Manatees are said to be found in the Park.
Digya is very special and also hosts over 236 bird species. Some of them include; the Black-backed Cisticola,the African Reed Warbler (nests around the North Lake shore),Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Thick-billed Cuckoo (very common),African Barred Owlet among others.
Getting to the Park
Digya can be accessed from Atebubu in the north. Drive through Kwame Dansoa town in Brong Ahafo Area and through Donkorkrom, a small town and a capital of Kwahu district in the Eastern Region of South Ghana. The wildlife office of the Region is found in Atebubu and ithostssomemoderately nice eating places and hotels. There is also chance of visiting a local market in the Donkorkrom and Atebubu areas – you are able to see and experience the amazing African way of doing business (commerce).
Also you can get buses from any of Ghana’s regionsto Kumasi and from thereconnect to the park. Using road transport can be done individually by bus or through your tour operator.
You can also fly from Accra to Kumasi and drive to Digya National Park. The flights are available at least twice a day from Accra to Kumasi and in other regional airports at least once a day.
Things to do in Digya
Wildlife viewing:
Digya is one of Ghana’s game viewing areas, you can’t visit Ghana and not visit Digya. It hosts several numbers of mammals and primates; hence you can’tmiss out on seeing elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, baboons, monkeys among others.
Birding:
This Park is a birder’s haven with over 236 bird species such as the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, African Barred Owlet,and Thick-billed Cuckoo among others.
Hiking safaris:
This is enjoyed while escorted by wildlife trained and experienced rangers, you walk through the Savannah woodlands to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park.Remember to carry your camera and put on sturdy/strong hiking shoes.
Canoeing:
You can enjoy a canoe trip along the Sene River in the Park. You will enjoy watching wildlife, vegetation and birds all through on the canoe.
Where to stay
There are a number of safe and comfortable hotels around Digya National Park to accommodate any number of visitors, you can enjoy lunch, dinner or relaxation in these hotels.
Also those around Ashanti region and are planning to visit the park can spend a night in any of the resorts or hotels around, these suit any budget. Some of the best in this region include; Bosomtwe Paradise Resort, Wadoma Royal Hotel, Laposada Hotel, Sanbra Hotel, Royal Park Hotel among others.
Also note that some facilities in Digya are still undeveloped, however the Wildlife Division is trying to improve on the infrastructure, the Park Management and also develop Tourism Facilities in the area. They are working hand in hand with different donors, the private sector and the community.
Digya National Park is found in the Ashanti region of Ghana bordered by Lake Volta in the east. The borders of the park also stretch into Brong Ahafo region. Digya is the oldest protected area in Ghana gazetted as a reserve in 1900 and then a park in 1971.
Digya National Park is located on lowland peninsular the transition zone and has a range of land forms and vegetation including areas of tall grass open woodland, forested areas, riverine forest, perennial streams and small hilly outcrops. There are wetlands in the north, east and south. The vegetation in the park includes tall grass open woodland, forested areas, riverine forest, perennial streams and small hilly outcrops
Lake Volta is the largest man made lake in the world. Two arms of the Volta Lake, the Digya and Obosom rivers curve around the almost peninsular park in the north and south.
Wildlife
Some of the animals found in Digya National Park include elephants, buffalos, mona monkey, servals, duiker, leopards, waterbucks, jackals, genets, civet, olive baboon, pata monkeys, green monkeys, crocodiles, galagos, pottos, West African Manatees and bushbucks among others.
There are several species of birds in the park with more than 230 birds. Some of the birds include the African Reed Warbler, the Black-backed Cisticola, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl and Sun Lark, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, African Barred Owlet and Thick-billed Cuckoo…to mention a few.
Location
The park has a north access from Atebubu. Go through Kwame Danso in the in the Brong Ahafo Region and through Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region. The Regional Wildlife Office is located at Atebubu where relatively good hotels and eating places may be found. Visitors to the Atebubu and Donkorkrom areas may also visit the local market to see the lively African version of Commerce.
