Day trips
Shai Hills Resource Reserve Day Trip from Accra by Car: Route and Car Rental & Hire
Quick answer: For a Shai Hills day trip from Accra, you drive east towards Tema, then north on the N2, the Tema–Akosombo road, past Afienya and Doryumu Junction. The Ghana Tourism Authority and the Wildlife Division both put the reserve about 50 km from Accra, and the Wildlife Division says it takes "less than an hour". No official road distance, door-to-door drive time, opening hours or entry fee is published on the Forestry Commission, Wildlife Division or GTA websites, so we don't quote any. Leave early, expect roadworks, don't feed the baboons and be back in Accra before dark.
This guide covers a day trip to the Shai Hills Resource Reserve from Accra by car: the route, what official sources say about distance and time, what you can see, the reserve in 2026, and how to book car hire & rental with a driver. If you're carrying on north to the dam and the lake, our Akosombo day trip guide covers the rest of the road.
Shai Hills at a glance
| Question | What we found (checked 3 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Where | Shai-Osudoku District, Greater Accra Region |
| Managed by | Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission |
| Road from Accra | N1 east, then the N2 (Tema–Akosombo road) |
| Distance | About 50 km from Accra (GTA and Wildlife Division; not stated as road km) |
| Drive time | "Less than an hour" (Wildlife Division); no official timed figure |
| Size | 51 km² (Wildlife Division) or 52 sq km (GTA) |
| Opening hours | None on official websites |
| Entry fee | None on official websites |
| Best time to visit | October to May (Wildlife Division) |
Where Shai Hills is
The reserve is in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region. The Ministry of Finance's 2026 budget for the district says the Assembly was created in March 2012 by L.I. 2137, out of the former Dangme West District, and lists the Shai Hills Resource Reserve among its tourist sites. The Wildlife Division's page still uses the old Dangme West name.
The Forestry Commission describes it as "a short drive east of Accra" on the way to Akosombo. The Wildlife Division calls it the wildlife park closest to Accra.
The route: east to Ashaiman, then north on the N2
The Ghana Highway Authority's road network table lists the N2 as Tema–Bakwu, 640 km. The reserve is on its first stretch, the road to Akosombo. The GHA's 2020 Greater Accra trunk road map shows the way:
- Leave Accra heading east on the N1 towards Tema.
- Near Ashaiman, turn north onto the N2.
- Follow the N2 north past Afienya to Doryumu Junction, where a regional road (R-022) branches west to Doryumu.
- The N2 carries on north towards the Eastern Region, Kpong and Akosombo.
The GHA map doesn't mark the reserve itself, and we found no official source giving the exact position of the entrance gate relative to Doryumu Junction. The Wildlife Division mentions a northern gate, with a resort hotel close by, and an interpretation centre where visitors start their tour. Ask your driver to confirm the gate before you set off.
The district budget also notes an overpass on the Tema–Mpakadan railway at Doryumu.
Roadworks between Ashaiman and Akosombo Junction
The Ministry of Roads and Highways is turning the 64 km Ashaiman–Akosombo Junction road into a dual carriageway, with a flyover at Ashaiman and an interchange at Asutsuare Junction. GNA reported in July 2024 that site clearing had begun from Doryumu Junction towards Asutsuare Junction. In March 2025, Citi Newsroom reported the Roads Minister saying work at Shai Hills was going well while the Ashaiman section had stalled.
The latest progress figure we found is from Graphic Online on 19 July 2025: 17% complete, with completion projected for 2027, and the engineer said the contract needed an extension of time. We found no 2026 official progress figure or completion date as of 3 November 2026. Expect diversions, dust and slow sections, especially around Ashaiman.
How far is Shai Hills from Accra, and how long does it take?
There's no official Accra–Shai Hills road distance. The Ghana Tourism Authority says the reserve is "about 50 km from Accra", and the Wildlife Division says "about 50km". Neither says it's a road distance or where in Accra it's measured from. The GHA publishes only whole-road lengths (the N2 is 640 km), not a figure for this trip.
There's no official timed journey either. The Wildlife Division's page says it "takes less than an hour to reach the park on the road to the Volta lake", but the page is old and undated, and it was written before the current roadworks. Traffic leaving Accra and around Ashaiman decides how long it actually takes, so leave early.
What you'll see at Shai Hills
Official descriptions differ a little in the detail, so here's what each says:
- Landscape: The Forestry Commission describes wide open grass plains with a backdrop of hills and scattered trees. The Wildlife Division says the vegetation is dry coastal savannah, with about 40% of the park made up of hills covered in dry forest.
- Wildlife: The Forestry Commission names the kob, green monkey, spot-nosed monkey and olive baboon. The Wildlife Division adds bushbucks, monitor lizards, pythons and other snakes. The GTA counts 175 bird species, 31 mammal species and 13 reptile species.
- Caves: The Forestry Commission names Hieowayo, Manya, Adwuku and Sayou. The Wildlife Division names three (Adwuku, Sayu and Hieweyu) and says climbing Adwuku gives a view over the Accra plains. The GTA names the Se Yo and Obonu Tem caves.
- History: The hills were home to the Shai people. The Forestry Commission says they were dislocated by the British colonial army in 1892. The Wildlife Division's older page gives 1873. We report both, as the sources disagree.
- Activities: The Forestry Commission lists cultural sites, picnic sites, campsites, climbing routes and walking trails.
- Festival: The Wildlife Division says local people celebrate the Manyam festival in September and October, with rituals at the park's caves.
Opening hours and entry fees
We found no opening hours or entry fees on the Forestry Commission, Wildlife Division or GTA websites as of 3 November 2026. Some websites list them, but they aren't official sources, so we don't repeat them. Ask your hire firm or call the Forestry Commission before you go, and pay only at the official gate. The UK FCDO warns visitors to beware of self-appointed officials trying to charge fees to take pictures at well-known sites.
The reserve in 2026
- Among the most visited sites. GNA reported on 11 August 2026 that the Tourism Minister named Shai Hills Resource Reserve among Ghana's ten most visited tourist attractions in 2025.
- New visitor facilities. On 15 July 2026, GNA reported the Lands and Natural Resources Minister saying the focus this year was on completing a 120-seater picnic area and a 10-unit chalet at the reserve. We found no official announcement that they had opened as of 3 November 2026.
Baboons by the road: don't feed them
The Wildlife Division says the reserve is famous for the bands of olive baboons that come onto the highway beside the park in the mornings and evenings.
In December 2022, MyJoyOnline reported a conservationist's worry about baboons being killed by speeding drivers on the Tema–Akosombo highway. An assistant wildlife officer at the reserve said people feeding the animals draws them to the roadside. In January 2026, the Wildlife Division's public relations manager told the fact-checking site DUBAWA that feeding the baboons is not allowed, even when they are near the road, because of disease risk, plastics and harm to the ecosystem. She said baboons leave the reserve because of encroachment and damaged fencing.
So: slow down on this stretch, don't stop on the highway to feed or photograph the baboons, and keep food out of sight.
Daylight driving
For longer trips outside major cities, the UK FCDO's Ghana safety advice says to travel during daylight hours. It advises avoiding road travel outside the main towns after dark, when street lighting is poor or non-existent, serious accidents are more likely and there's a higher risk of attacks on vehicles.
Shai Hills is close to Accra, but the drive back runs through the roadworks and the Ashaiman traffic. Plan to be home before sunset.
Making a day of it
Shai Hills works as a half-day trip, or as a stop on a longer day out:
- Akosombo: the reserve is on the road to the dam and Lake Volta. Our Akosombo day trip guide covers the route beyond Shai Hills, dam visits and cruises. Doing both in one day makes for a long day, so start early.
- Ada Foah: for a coast day instead, see our Ada Foah day trip guide. It's a different road (the N1 east), so it's better as a separate trip.
- Aburi: for gardens and cooler hills north of Accra, see our Aburi day trip guide.
The district budget also lists other tourist sites in Shai-Osudoku, including the Dodowa Forest, the Apinya and Chenku waterfalls near Dodowa, and Mount Yongua. We found no official visitor information for them, so check locally before adding them to your day.
Car rental & hire for a Shai Hills day trip
Most visitors book in Accra. Compare car hire & rental with a driver in Accra. A driver can wait while you walk or climb, and knows the diversions around Ashaiman.
Self-drive or a driver?
The N2 is a busy freight road under construction. Our self-drive or chauffeur guide sets out the trade-offs. If you drive yourself, ask at the gate whether your car may go into the reserve, and check your hire terms on where the car may be driven.
Agree the terms in writing
Before you go, agree these in writing (a WhatsApp message or email from the firm is fine):
| Agree in writing | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pickup time and address | So you beat the Accra and Ashaiman traffic |
| Stops | Shai Hills only, or Akosombo too |
| Hours included | Walks and cave climbs take time |
| Waiting time and overtime | So a long visit doesn't become a dispute |
| Driving inside the reserve | Whether the firm allows it |
| Fuel and latest return time | So you know the price and are back before dark |
We don't publish prices, because they change often in Ghana. Ask each firm for a dated written quote, and never pay a deposit into a personal account that doesn't match the firm's name.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Shai Hills from Accra?
The Ghana Tourism Authority and the Wildlife Division both say about 50 km. Neither says it's a road distance. The Ghana Highway Authority publishes only whole-road lengths, such as the N2 (Tema–Bakwu, 640 km).
How long is the drive from Accra to Shai Hills?
There's no official timed figure. The Wildlife Division's older page says "less than an hour", but traffic around Ashaiman and roadworks on the Tema–Akosombo road can add time. Leave early.
Which road goes to Shai Hills Resource Reserve?
The N2, the Tema–Akosombo road. The GHA's 2020 map shows the N1 east from Accra to the Ashaiman area, then the N2 north past Afienya and Doryumu Junction.
What are the opening hours and entry fees at Shai Hills?
We found no opening hours or entry fees on the Forestry Commission, Wildlife Division or GTA websites as of 3 November 2026. Check with your hire firm or the Forestry Commission before you go, and pay only at the official gate.
Can I feed the baboons at Shai Hills?
No. The Wildlife Division told DUBAWA in January 2026 that feeding the baboons is not allowed, even near the road. Feeding also draws them onto the highway, where speeding drivers have killed them.
Can I combine Shai Hills with Akosombo in one day?
Yes, the reserve is on the road to Akosombo, but it makes a long day with roadworks on the way. Start early, agree the hours with your driver in writing and plan to be back before dark.
Plan your trip
Compare car hire & rental with a driver in Accra. Send each firm your date, pickup address, number of passengers and the stops you want (Shai Hills, and Akosombo if you're going on), and ask for the price, hours and waiting terms in writing.
Sources
- Shai Hills Resource Reserve: 'a short drive east of Accra' on routes to Akosombo; kob, green monkey, spot-nose monkey, olive baboon; caves Hieowayo, Manya, Adwuku and Sayou; Shai people dislocated by the British colonial army in 1892; cultural sites, picnic sites, campsites, climbing routes, walking trails (checked 3 November 2026) (Forestry Commission)
- Shai Hills Resource Reserve: 51 km², closest wildlife park to Accra, 'less than an hour' on the road to the Volta lake, about 50 km from Accra, baboons by the highway, Shai people expelled in 1873, three caves, Manyam festival September–October, best time October–May, interpretation centre, resort hotel near the northern gate (older, undated page; checked 3 November 2026) (Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission)
- Greater Accra Region: Shai Hills Resource Reserve about 50 km from Accra, nearest wildlife sanctuary, 52 sq km of savanna, 175 bird, 31 mammal and 13 reptile species, Se Yo and Obonu Tem caves (checked 3 November 2026) (Visit Ghana, Ghana Tourism Authority)
- Shai-Osudoku District Assembly composite budget 2026–2029 (created March 2012 by L.I. 2137 from the former Dangme West District; Shai Hills Resource Reserve among tourist sites; Tema–Mpakadan railway overpass at Doryumu) (Ministry of Finance)
- Road Network: N1 Elubo–Tema 540 km, N2 Tema–Bakwu 640 km; no Accra–Shai Hills figure (checked 3 November 2026) (Ghana Highway Authority)
- Greater Accra Regional Trunk Road Map, 2020 (N-001 east from Accra to the Ashaiman area; N-002 north past Afienya and Doryum Junction towards the Eastern Region; R-022 west from Doryum Junction) (Ghana Highway Authority)
- Work resumes on Ashaiman to Akosombo Junction Road (64 km dual carriageway, Ashaiman flyover, Asutsuare Junction interchange, site clearing from Doryumu Junction towards Asutsuare Junction; 24 July 2024) (Ghana News Agency)
- Agbodza fumes over delays on Ashaiman Roundabout–Akosombo junction road project (work near Shai Hills going well, Ashaiman stalled; 8 March 2025) (Citi Newsroom)
- Work progresses on Eastern corridor roads (Ashaiman–Atimpoku 64 km at 17%, completion projected 2027, extension of time needed; 19 July 2025) (Graphic Online)
- Cabinet directs restoration of Achimota Forest to full status – Buah (2026 focus on completing a 120-seater picnic area and a 10-unit chalet at Shai Hills Resource Reserve; 15 July 2026) (Ghana News Agency)
- Ghana records 1.3m international tourist arrivals, earns $4.34bn in 2025 (Shai Hills Resource Reserve among the ten most visited attractions; 11 August 2026) (Ghana News Agency)
- Renowned conservationist worries over Shai Hills baboon killings by speeding drivers (5 December 2022) (MyJoyOnline)
- True! Wildlife rules prohibit feeding baboons at Shai Hills (Wildlife Division public relations manager interviewed; 26 January 2026) (DUBAWA Ghana (fact-checking))
- Ghana travel advice: safety and security (daylight on longer trips; roads outside main towns after dark; self-appointed officials charging photo fees; checked 3 November 2026) (UK FCDO)
Last checked: 3 November 2026. Rules, prices and advice change, so recheck official sources before you travel.
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Photo: Kradolferp, CC BY-SA 4.0
