Mole National Park, one of Ghana's seven national parks, stands as the country's largest wildlife refuge. It covers an area of about 4,577 square kilometers of fairly undisturbed Guinea savannah in the northern part of Ghana. The park's lands were set aside as a wildlife refuge in 1958, and in 1971, the small human population of the area was relocated and the lands were designated to a national park.
Located in the Savannah region of Ghana on savanna and riparian ecosystems at an elevation of 50 m, the park features a sharp escarpment forming its southern boundary. The park's entrance is reached through the nearby town of Larabanga. The Levi and Mole Rivers are ephemeral rivers flowing through the park, leaving behind only drinking holes during the long dry season. This area of Ghana receives over 10 mm per year of rainfall.
The Park is 24 km from Damongo, the district capital, 146 km south east of Tamale, the Regional capital. The park is 700 km from Accra and 430 km from Kumasi.
Map of Ghana showing the Savannah Region (where Mole National Park is located).
A Haven for Biodiversity
Mole National Park represents a fairly undisturbed guinea Savannah ecosystem dominated by open savannah woodland. The park has very rich flora and fauna. Over 93 species of mammals, about 400 species of birds, 9 amphibian, 33 reptilian and several insectivorous species and 5 endemic butterfly species have been recorded. The Park is managed mainly for its outstanding natural, physical, historical and cultural values. Mole is rich in biodiversity and home to some 742 vascular plant species, over 90 mammal species including 5 primatespecies.
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Species of special interest include Elephant, Buffalo, Kob, Western Hartebeest, Roan Antelope, Defassa Waterbuck, Oribi, Bohor Reedbuck and Red-flanked Duiker. The riverine forests are home to rare and endangered species such as Yellow-backed Duiker and Black and White Colobus monkey. The Lion, Leopard and Hyena are important large carnivores found in the reserve.
Since the resettlement of humans from the area, the park has become an important study area for scientists. This has allowed for some long-term studies, in particular, of relatively undisturbed sites compared to similar areas of densely populated equatorial West Africa.
Safari in Mole National Park, Ghana Video
Flora of Mole National Park
With regards to vegetation, local endemism is generally low in West African Savannah, and only two endemic species Kyllinga echinata, a sedge and Ancilema setiferum var pallidiciliatum confined to northern Ghana, are found in Mole. In addition, three species endemic to Ghana are recorded, namely Gongronema obscurum, Raphionacme vignei and Phinopterys angustifolia. Eleven (11) species of mole are confined to the savannah woodland while Mimusops kammel, a tree that is confined to riverine forests.
To date, five species have been identified which have not been recorded elsewhere in Ghana Croton pseudopulchellus, Indigofera conferta, Indigoera trichopoda, Jatropha neriifolia and Pleiotaxis newtonii. Anthocleista vogelii, a tree of wet sites in the south-western forest zone of Ghana has been recorded for the first time in Mole. Apodostigma palleus is a climber that is also restricted to the forests in the south-west Ghana. Amblygono carpas andogeneiss, a savannah tree widespread in central, east and south tropical Africa, has been recorded for the first time in Ghana at Mole.
Tree species of the park include Burkea africana, Isoberlinia doka, and Terminalia macroptera. The savanna grasses are somewhat low in diversity but known species include a spikesedge, Kyllinga echinata; an Aneilema, Aneilema setiferum var. Terminalia spp., including T. Andropogon spp., including Andropogon gayanus var.
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Fauna of Mole National Park
Mole National Park has over 90 species of mammals. Elephant, buffalo, kob, warthog, waterbuck, bushbuck, roan antelope, hartebeest, duikers, oribi, patas monkey and green (vervet) monkey are the species commonly seen at Mole National Park.
Predators in the Park include spotted hyenas, leopards, caracal, civets, genets, jackals and mongooses. The lions (pantheraleo) and elephants (laxodonta Africana) found in Mole National Park are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of 2004. The spotted hyena, buffalo, oribi, roan antelope, kob, duiker and reedbuck are listed as lower risk on the same publication.
Studies have been made of the avian life in Mole National Park, and a full report can be consulted (Dowsett, 2005). Over 300 bird species have been recorded, many of which are migratory birds heading to or from Northern Europe. Mole is unique in its bird populations: all 37 recorded Guinea-Sudanian biome species found in Ghana are here in the National Park. If you are a keen bird watcher, Mole is a must!
There are 33 reptile species in the Park. More than 50 butterfly species have been spotted in Mole National Park, including the Anthenetalboti, which is usually limited to East Africa. The total butterfly fauna is probably about 120. Most are typical of the Guinea savannah belt. The West African savannah habitats are generally not species rich, and there is virtually no endemism.
| Animal Group | Number of Species |
|---|---|
| Mammals | 93+ |
| Birds | 400+ |
| Reptiles | 33 |
| Butterflies | 50+ |
Visiting Mole National Park
Mole National Park is also Ghana’s most developed tourism site in terms of tourist amenities. The park has not seen major development as a tourist location since its original designation. After improvements to the roads leading to the park, the number of visitors to the park increased from 14,600 in 2014 to 17,800 in 2015. Depending on the year, about 20-40% of visitors are foreigners.
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Best Time to Visit
The dry season runs from November to March. It’s easier to see wildlife at these times, and more animals have reason to visit the watering hole - which is one of the easiest places to view them. Dusty harmattan winds may blow from December to February, creating a hazy atmosphere.
The wet season, from April to October offers lush vegetation, but this gives the animals better places to hide. While it might not be as good for wildlife viewing as dry season, it’s still fine most of the time. If you find yourself in Ghana during the rainy season, don’t cross Mole off your list. Go anyway.
Activities in Mole National Park
- Game Drives: Wake up early for a game drive in Mole National Park with high chances of spotting a number of wild animals that find it a safe haven. Taking the game drive on the different tracks within the park is amazing with chances of spotting animals like elephants, waterbucks, reedbucks, lions, hartebeests, wildebeests, Bohor, warthogs, kobs and may others.
- Walking Safaris: If you’re in decent enough shape, the walking safari in Mole National Park is amazing. You get closer to the animals than you would ever imagine.
- Birding: Birders on Ghana safari to Mole National Park have an opportunity to identify from over 400 bird species recorded in this park. To get the best from your experience, start the birding adventure earlier before the birds disperse for the busy day.
While you walk around the restaurant and visitor’s center at Mole National Park, you’ll pass by warthogs wandering along on their way, possibly even an elephant that has strayed from the group. At Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge, life is relaxed and no one is in a rush to get anywhere.
Accommodation
There are only two hotels within Mole Park proper. Despite the options not being perfect, we still highly recommend staying inside the park. There are so many opportunities for interesting things to happen (remember to lock your doors), and the atmosphere is kind of wondrous. It’s worth it.
There are public campgrounds with toilet facilities near the Park Headquarters where you can rent tents and mosquito nets if you don’t have your own. This is definitely the cheapest option for staying inside the park.
Filming in Mole National Park
Mole National Park being one of the oldest Ghana National Park is also one of the top tourism destinations in the country. This is the oldest Ghana wildlife protected area If you are interested in filming wildlife in Ghana, Mole National Park is a location to consider and our local film fixers in Ghana are available to help you with permissions and any other logistical support.
Guidelines for Filming
- Respect nature while on safari in Mole National Park and do not over ride on it while in the park.
- Do not make noise or hoot while in Mole National Park because you may scare the wild animals.
- Dumping garbage in Mole National Park is forbidden because this alters the nature of the park where wild animals thrive. Do not pick anything from the park but only carry memories of this adventure.
- Drive at the speed limit set by the park authorities as this helps not to knock down some animals. Do not drive off track while entering or leaving Mole National Park because you destroy nature.
- All walking safaris in Mole National Park must be guided by an armed ranger guide to avoid chances of encountering the dangerous animals in the reserve.
Nearby Attractions
Mole shares its borders with 33 fringe communities in two of Ghana’s regions: the Northern Region and the Upper West Region. Nearby tourist attractions include Bui National Park, Gbele Resource Reserve, Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, Paga Crocodile Pond, Paga Pio’s Palace, Wa Naa’s Palace, Pikworo Slave Camp, Sirigu (for its architecture and exterior décor), Ancient Mosques (particularly Larabanga, Bole and Nakose), the Kraal buildings, Nalerigu Defense Wall, Gwollu Defence Wall, Navrongo Cathedral, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, also at Navrongo.
Larabanga Mosque
The village of Larabanga is known for its historic mosque, often called the Mecca of West Africa. A modest donation ($1-2) is requested. Locals will give you a tour and tell you the story of the mosque’s origins. According to the story, a powerful mallam named Ibrahim Braimah sought to create a place of peace and build a community. He threw his mighty spear and it flew far and long. He built the mosque where it landed, just like he said he would. A baobab tree sprung up over his grave.
Larabanga Mystic Stone
The ancient caravan route from Salaga to Wa and beyond to Mali, passed through the heart of the park. This route was used for both trading and to transport slaves to coastal markets. The park Headquarters is located right at a place where two famous slave raiders (Samore and Babatu) raided and erased a village to the ground. The Head quarters is named after one of them - Samole. There is a cave in the Konkori escarpment that was used as a refuge from slave raiders by the local indigines.
The Larabanga Mystery Stone is another attraction. It’s said that in the 1950’s, workers were building a road through Larabanga when they came across this big rock. They moved it, but the next morning it had returned. They moved it further away this time. The next morning it had returned. The locals now believe it has wish-granting powers.
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