[By Faria Shaikh]
This weekend, we visited the Volta Region, a part of Ghana that is sometimes overshadowed by more prominent destinations- such as Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast. Unlike some of our recent trips, this one didn’t involve shopping and was a break from everything. It gave us the opportunity to relax in nature and find time to reflect on our trip so far.
It started with almost a five hour journey from Accra at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. As expected, it was a bumpy ride, but not as bad as Kumasi. Once we reached our destination, our adventure began with a visit to the stunning Wli Waterfalls, the highest in West Africa. The hike wasn’t bad, it was around a 45-minute walk; I was definitely prepared for worse, so it came as a great surprise.
Looking at the Wli Waterfalls transported me back to Oregon. It brought back memories of Multnomah Falls in Portland OR, and the whole trip was nostalgic. It was so peaceful and calming, with the flowing water creating a soothing sound that brought a deep sense of tranquility.
A fun part of the Wli waterfalls were the bats that I wasn’t expecting to see at all. The falls are home to a colony of bats that live in the caves behind the waterfall. It was mesmerizing to see, and something that makes the experience unique as compared to the waterfalls in Oregon. In some ways, the natural surroundings also reminded of the mountainous areas in Northern Pakistan, although the climate in the Volta region was very different.
The second day, we went to the Afrikiko resort for lunch and a boat ride. We had a nice buffet mixed with a variety of local dishes offering the rich flavors of Ghanaian cuisine. I really enjoyed the jollof rice, fried rice with fried chicken, and plantain. During lunch, we had a fun chat about astrology discussing zodiac signs and their impact on personality traits. It was an interesting conversation and kept everyone engaged.
After lunch, we visited Lake Volta, which is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the world. We took a boat ride there, and the views were breathtaking due to the clear, reflective water and lush greenery. Once again, it transported me back to the Pacific Northwest. In many ways, this trip was nostalgic and reminded me of the beautiful McKenzie River near Eugene, Oregon.
Visiting the Volta Region was totally worth it! It was not just a trip, but exploration of a whole new region in Ghana. The stunning landscapes, enjoyable boat ride, and delicious buffet meals were unforgettable and offered a unique view of a different part of the country.