Kakum National Park is a biodiversity hotspot located in the Central Region of Ghana, near the historic town of Cape Coast. Covering approximately 375 sq.km of rainforest, the park plays a crucial role in preserving Ghana's tropical rainforest ecosystem and maintaining biodiversity.
The park is home to hundreds of species of birds, forest elephants, leopards, various monkey species, and the endangered bongo antelope. Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is its world-renowned canopy walkway, widely recognized as the first of its kind to be constructed in Africa.
This interactive digital experience aims to enhance visitor engagement, promote conservation awareness, and support sustainable development initiatives both within and around the park's boundaries.
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The main entrance to Kakum National Park, where visitors can purchase tickets and join guided tours.
The famous suspended walkway that allows visitors to experience the rainforest from above the canopy. It consists of seven bridges and reaches heights of 40 meters.
A designated area where visitors have a higher chance of spotting wildlife such as forest elephants, various monkey species, and birds.
A designated camping area for visitors who wish to stay overnight in the park. Facilities include basic amenities and ranger supervision.
Click on markers to learn more about key locations in Kakum National Park.
The forest elephant is smaller than its savanna counterpart and plays a crucial role in seed dispersal throughout the rainforest.
The bongo is the largest forest antelope, recognizable by its reddish-brown coat with white stripes. It is increasingly rare due to habitat loss.
This distinctive monkey has a white throat and chest, with a reddish-brown back. It is threatened by hunting and habitat destruction.
Known for its intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, this parrot is native to the rainforests of West and Central Africa.
This large bird has a distinctive yellow casque on its bill and plays an important role in seed dispersal.
A medium-sized owl found in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, recognizable by its distinctive ear tufts.
This valuable hardwood tree is threatened by over-harvesting for its prized timber used in furniture making.
This massive tree can grow up to 70m tall and is characterized by its buttress roots. It provides habitat for many species.
This palm produces oil-rich fruits that are important both economically and ecologically in the rainforest ecosystem.
Kakum National Park faces several climate-related threats that endanger its biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Increasingly severe droughts are impacting the park's delicate hydrological balance, leading to water stress for vegetation and reduced water availability for surrounding communities.
Deforestation not only reduces overall biodiversity but also diminishes the park's capacity to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, which is necessary for mitigating climate change.
As local populations grow and arable land becomes scarce, pressure on the park's boundaries has increased, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss.
Poorly managed tourism activities can lead to increased pollution, habitat disturbance, and waste generation, negatively impacting the park's fragile environment.
Planting native tree species to restore degraded areas and enhance carbon sequestration.
Educating local communities about sustainable resource use and the importance of conservation.
Developing eco-friendly tourism practices that minimize environmental impact while supporting local economies.
Establishing monitoring systems to track climate impacts and inform adaptive management strategies.
Here are some ways you can support conservation efforts at Kakum National Park:
The canopy walkway extends 350 meters through the upper levels of the rainforest.
The walkway reaches heights of up to 40 meters above the forest floor.
From this vantage point, visitors can observe birds and other canopy-dwelling species.