Tamale, the capital of Northern Ghana and the country's third-largest city, is a vibrant hub of culture and economic activity. Renowned for its well-organized road network and cleanliness, Tamale offers a unique blend of traditional and modern influences. This guide provides a detailed look at Tamale's attractions, accommodations, and essential navigation tips for travelers.
Navigating Tamale
Above you can find the detailed online map of Tamale city on the Ghana map. Using this Tamale map you can find the Tamale streets and routes, sights, restaurants and everything else.
The tourist map of Tamale will be helpful for every traveler. First of all you can find all streets and houses on the Tamale map. Usually you check the streets and houses on the map of Tamale when you search a hotel to book. Second, you can find the points of interests when you search what to visit in Tamale city: museums, monuments, parks, concert halls, bars. Third, you can build your own unique route to see the sights of Tamale.
Using the online map of Tamale travelers find hotels, hostels and apartments for a comfortable stay, as well as restaurants and cafes with the best reviews from visitors.
Make the route planning to Tamale easily, highlight major highways, scenic routes, and alternative paths. Add distance markers and estimated travel times. Satellite online map of the Tamale, Ghana with names of all streets and house numbers. On the detailed maps from the satellite you can see virtual panoramas of streets of cities of Tamale.
Read also: Learn about Tamale Teaching Hospital
Drag the icon with the "person" from the upper left corner of the satellite map to the section of the map that interests you. Panoramas are not available for all cities and towns, street sections with panoramas are highlighted in blue when you drag the icon.
The Tamale detailed map shows administrative boundaries to help travelers and locals navigate the locality. Travelers can easily understand what district or county they are in and find out where transport hubs of Tamale such as train and bus stations are located and explore public transport routes for easy travel.
The Ghana map supports several languages and takes into account local cultural features of Ghana to make your travel as convenient and informative as possible. These features will help you make your stay more comfortable and fulfilling.
Tamale has been voted three consecutive times by the Ghana Tourist Board as the cleanest city in Ghana and is proud of its well organized road networking in comparison to other cities and regions through Ghana.
Public bus from Accra or Kumasi is cheap and safer than the many private bus drivers. Yellow-yellows (motorised cycle rickshaws) are ubiquitous, and for a shared ride you can get from "town" (the centre) to anywhere in Tamale for GH₵6 or less. If you're new to the system, confirm the price before getting in. Make sure you tell the driver that you want a shared ride, otherwise prices will skyrocket.
Read also: Tamale Hotel Prices
Distance from Tamale to Other Cities
Tamale is strategically located, making it a convenient base for exploring other parts of Northern Ghana. Here are some distances to nearby cities:
- Damongo: 125 km
- Nalerigu: 149 km
- Bolgatanga: 169 km
- Dambai: 204 km
- Wa: 216 km
10 Best Places To visit In Ghana
Must-Visit Attractions in and Around Tamale
There are many things to do inside the city. The city has grown a conglomeration of villages with architectural blend of traditional mud houses to one with modern buildings, international airport, and several offices of multinational organizations and companies.
Good point from which to visit Bongo (Moon Landscape) Tongo and Congo or if heading to Burkina Faso (neighboring country). Visit the Paga crocodile pond and all the slave camps near Paga. It is possible to do a day trip from Tamale to Mole National Park, where you can see elephants, warthogs, several types of monkeys, and other animals. You can book a tour from Tamale township or Tamale Airport, and cost approximately $130 per day plus fuel. There are also several places to stay in Mole.
Cultural and Historical Sites
- Red Clay (Ibrahim Mahama's Studio): This artistic studio showcases large-scale artworks by Ibrahim Mahama. Open daily except Friday, 9AM-5PM. Free, donations appreciated.
- Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA): An artist-run project space dedicated to art and cultural practices of the 20th century. Currently renovating for the next exhibition. Free, donations appreciated.
- Nkrumah Voli-ni: An underground warehouse built by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to store grains during times of struggle. Guided tours may be available. Free, donations appreciated.
- Ahmadiyya Central Mosque: The main mosque of the Ahmadiyya movement in Ghana.
- Masjid Bayaan Institute: Headquarters for Masjidul Bayaan.
Markets
Market on Main Street: The best of products can be found on the main streets of Tamale especially during weekends. However it takes a lot of energy to walk around for specific items and also having to negotiate. Make it a point to ask the locals the price range of products before entering the market since prices could be high at times for perceived strangers. If you ever have to bargain, don't be desperate because there is another seller somewhere who can give you a better option but be sure not to get a reduction in price after wandering and returning to the earlier seller you bargained with. Sometimes you have to behave like someone who is walking away to get a better price. You can find Cobblers, textiles and lots of food joints dotted around.
- Forsmuel shop: You can get your quality products such as electronics, groceries etc.
- Aboabu market: You can get almost everything they sell in markets here.
- Tamale central market: Buy anything you want at wholesale, retail or consumer price.
- Melcom: They use automated systems which identify their products using barcode. You can always pass through for all kinds of products.
- Naasant Ventures: Buy all groceries and goods here.
- Cultural Centre (Art council): Oil paintings, batiks, ornaments, cheap jewelry, goatskin handbags foot pillows, and drums.
- Timber Market: Buy all your wood and wooden works here.
- Kakpagara noli market: Buy almost everything you need here.
- Lamashegu market: If you need a less busy market where you can buy your stuff from, then this is the market to go to.
- Kukuo Market: Directly opposite the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
- EU China town (China Mall): Choggu around about.
- Makro Shopping Center (Makro): Lamashegu.
Dining and Local Snacks
Koose is a local snack made from deep fried bean flour dough which can be bought just off the main street across from the taxi station. Note that there is a risk of food poisoning from roadside food stalls.
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- Zaachi Ice Cream: The ice cream quality is comparable to European premium ice creams, and the flavours change daily. You get a generous scoop with waffle crumbs on top.
- De Shallot Eatery: They sell all kinds of local foods, including a selection of rice and meats.
- Asanka Local Chop Bar: They serve mainly fufu with light soup and meat. Many locals come here to take-away but there are seats outside.
- Oasis Lounge Bar & Restaurant: Place is very serene. Enjoyable cool music. Nice entertainment. The managers are very friendly and accommodating. A nice place to go blow off some steam after a very tiring day or week. They basically have every food.
- Kamara's Chop Bar Nyabɔtrɛ: Cook, and sell jallof rice, waakye, rice balls, bank, fufu with PA nut soup or light soup, etc.
- Crest Restaurant: A bar on the main street that also serves good rice dishes and even spring rolls. If you want something more like home they have a colonial-style dining room.
- Tacarobama Local: They serve an amazing variety of food, from pizza and chips to local dishes. Their staff are fast and friendly and there is a nice open-air area to relax in.
Bars and Nightlife
- Caro-Nicks Restaurant and Bar
- Point Seven Bar
- Luxury Restaurant and Bar (VIP): Great meals and spacious place for your party. You can enjoy both local Ghanaian dishes and continental ones. There is a bouquet for kids and a kids playground just in case you want to get them busy.
- Nite Fast Food: Nite Food is a neat, nice and well preserved area with both local meals Banku, Fufu, TZ and exotic ones like fried rice with chicken, noodles and many more.
- Mavwax Restaurant: Mavwax Restaurant Jublee Road Tamale (adjacent Tamale Regional library).
- Favour Restaurant: A place where one can get nice food and drinks.
- Sister Rahinatu's Chop Bar
- Sparkles Restaurant: They offer a wide variety of dishes. Every Friday evening at 9PM there is a cultural performance to introduce local culture to the visitors.
- The Dons Pub
- The Guys Pub: Well located on the edge of a man-made forest not far from the centre of Tamale Metropolis, you can have a nice moment with friend and family in a cool bar which is easily accessible by road.
- Auntie Muni TZ joint
- Klassiek Restaurant and Bar
- Wooden Bakery, Coffee Shop, Bar And Restaurant
- The Promise Hill: This is a very small road side "chop house" they don't have a menu for the food sold here. Alcoholic and non Alcoholic drinks are available at any time of the day.
- Nice place with snooker and a club
- White Chillies Bar and Restaurant
- Buffalo Bar Fuo Tamale
- KIT KAT PUB: Very friendly. Is a place to be when you are around Kumbuyili... KiT Kat you do all. Good space to relax.
- Ayi Banku's Bar: It is a good restaurant for everyone. They have a lot to offer you especially Northern dishes.
- FLEMISH ®️
- Home Touch Bar & Catering
- Bafana Banyana
- Akwei Allah chop bar: Akwei Allah chop bar Jublee Road.
- Gidipass bar on Main Street: Has a few types of beer and sodas. Also serve good meals.
- Meet Me There Drinking spot: Set in a tall canopy of palm and date trees, drinks are at cost or below, where as at Gidipass or other tourist centres, they cost more. You can pick up some food from the street, and they'll bring you dishes to eat with and soap to wash with!
Accommodation Options in Tamale
There is no shortage of accommodation options in Tamale. Because of the ubiquity and affordability of yellow-yellows, even accommodation options far away from the centre of town should be considered.
- All Friends Spot: On the stadium road, Tamale.
- Temaya Cottage Lodge: Comes with A/C, TV, breakfast, and sometimes hot showers. There are no mirrors in the room and internet (especially with Vodafone) can be spotty. Wifi comes at an extra GH₵40 per day.
- Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies: Offers boarding as well as a roof-top cantina/bar. Limited number of air-conditioned rooms available.
- Sundowner Lodge: Known for its welcoming environment.
- Jeyads Lodge
- Gaana Hotel
- Picorna Hotel
- Target Hill Hotel
- Ruks Hotel
- Pioneer Guest Lodge
- Mariam Hotel
- Arewa Sunshine Hotel
- Radach Lodge & Conference Centre
- Hotel Zosimli
- Nim Avenue Hotel
- Airport Inn Hotel
- Modern City Hotel Standard
- Global Dream Hotel
- My Time Guest House
- Hotel Heritage
- Bed And Breakfast Premier Lodge Tamale
- Best Lodge Hotel
- Mum Hotel
- Little Afrika Lodge
- Premier Lodge
- American Royal Lodge
- MA-S Hotel
- Pioneer Hotel
- Catholic Archdiocesan Guest House
- Hamdallah Hotel
- Mole Lodge
- Grande Sophia Hotel
- Mash Lodge Tamale
- Dawadawa Lodge: Quiet and secluded accommodation. This is a two-star guesthouse.
- B Sheini Hotel
- Naat Guest house
Exploring the Northern Region of Ghana
The Northern Region of Ghana is the largest region and boasts numerous fascinating tourist sites:
- Mole National Park: The largest wildlife refuge in Ghana, offering one of the cheapest safaris in Africa. Home to over 94 mammal species and over 300 bird species.
- Larabanga Mosque: Built in the 13th century, it is the oldest mosque in Ghana and West Africa.
- Mognori Eco-Village: Offers canoe safaris, traditional dances, drumming, and insights into the village’s history and traditional medicines.
- Nalerigu Slave Defence Wall: Built in the 16th century to protect the community from slave traders.
- Salaga Slave Market: A major commercial center during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- Zayaa Mud Mosque: Features unique storied designs that served strategic military purposes.
- Gambaga Escarpment: Offers stunning cliff views from horizontal layers of sandstone rising over 300 meters.
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