Kintampo
A waterfall town in central Ghana: Kintampo Falls and Fuller Falls are close by, the Boabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary lies to the south, and the town is a rest stop on the north–south route.
Kintampo lies in the Bono East Region of central Ghana, about 420 km north of the capital Accra and about 170 km north of Kumasi. It sits right in the middle of the N10 highway (Kumasi–Tamale road), which runs north–south, and is considered the geographic center of Ghana; a monument marking the center stands to the north of town. The town itself is small and centers on its market and long-distance bus station. The main attractions are the waterfalls and forests nearby. Kintampo Falls, about 4 km north of town, drop in three tiers and are surrounded by forest with a canopy walkway; it is one of Ghana's most popular waterfalls. Fuller Falls, about 7 km west of town, cascade in stepped layers and are quieter.
About 35 km south, the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is home to monkeys that two villages revere as spirits, and visitors can observe them up close in the village. Further south are the Tanoboase Sacred Grove, with its rock shrines, and Techiman Market, one of the largest markets in West Africa. To the west, Bui National Park offers boat trips to see hippos.
The climate is tropical savanna. November–March is the dry season, with better roads and easier travel, but the waterfalls run low. July–October is the rainy season, when the waterfalls are at their most spectacular, though some dirt roads turn muddy.
Getting there: long-distance buses such as STC and VIP run from Kumasi in about 3–4 hours, and from Tamale in about 4 hours. Hire a taxi or motorbike to reach the surrounding sights. Plan 1–2 days; Kintampo also makes a good overnight stop on a north–south journey.
Top sights
- Kintampo Waterfalls – A waterfall where the Pampam River drops in three tiers through forest, with a canopy walkway above. It is one of Ghana's most popular wate…
- Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary – A community monkey sanctuary where two villages treat the monkeys as sacred. Campbell's monkeys and black-and-white colobus can be seen up…
- Fuller Falls – A stepped waterfall about 7 km west of Kintampo, where the river spreads over successive rock ledges; it attracts fewer visitors and is goo…
- Centre of Ghana Monument – A monument in Kintampo marking the geographic centre of Ghana, a quick photo stop for travellers passing through the town.
- Tano Boase Sacred Grove – A sacred grove and shrine dedicated to the Tano river god, with giant rock formations, regarded as the birthplace of the Bono people; with…
- Buoyem Caves & Bat Colony – A community eco-tourism site near Techiman with odd rock formations, caves and a sacred grove home to large numbers of fruit bats.
- Techiman Market – One of West Africa's largest agricultural produce markets, where trade in yams, maize, cloth and daily goods is lively and bustling.
- Bui National Park – A national park on the Black Volta, where you can take a boat trip on Bui Reservoir to spot hippos and visit the Bui Dam, Ghana's second-la…
Where to eat
- Falls Rest Stop Restaurant – A roadside rest-stop restaurant on the Techiman–Tamale road, a few kilometres north of Kintampo and within walking dist…
- Tamatama Lounge Restaurant – A lounge restaurant on the central road in Kintampo, named by local guides as one of the town's best choices, with bank…