The Avu Lagoon wetland is nestled in the lower Volta Region sandwiched between the Aflao Road and the Atlantic Ocean. This fresh water marsh consists of a shallow lake of about 10 to 12 kilometres around, plus the surrounding streams, rivers and aquatic vegetation. This watery landscape is home to the world’s only aquatic antelope: the sitatunga. In all of Ghana, this is the only location where this majestic creature still remains .But the Sitatunga is only one of many types of wildlife you may encounter on your visit with us. In addition, bird viewing can provide hours of entertainment, with the presence of numerous water dwelling species. And, if you have a keen eye, you will also spot reptiles and small mammals. But the wetland experience is more than just wildlife. Being a community protected area; local culture is also being preserved. A canoe ride aboard a dugout will introduce you to the wetlands way of life, and you will witness the manoeuvrability of the talented boatmen who use bamboo poles to navigate the many streams and cut channels through the aquatic vegetation.
When To Visit
All year round
What To Do
- Canoe Safari. Jump aboard a traditional canoe and allow a local guide topole and paddle you through the wetlands. You will see thevarious fishingpractices and bankfarming technique
- Sugarcane Plantations & Bush Gin Distiller. Farming is possible 12 months of the year in this nutrient-rich area. Witness underwater farming practices, as you paddlethrough the cut channels of vegetation. While walkingthrough various communities, you can observe a sugarcanedistillery in action – the grinding mills; the fermentationbarrels; the finished product.
- Our guides are happy to take you on a journey through some of the channels that twist and turn through thick floating vegetation intothe lagoon itself. Along the way keep an eye out for birds and thedistinct trackways of the sitatunga. Visitors can also check the local fish traps or even try their hand at fishing in the lagoon. As theguides push you along the channel using bamboo poles, you maycome across local farmers transporting sugarcane, or perhapschildren on their way to school via river taxi, or even on an unusual looking canoe that is simply a hollowed-out log
- Sitatunga Viewing Platform. Paddle length of navigable channel (this distance changes with changing water levels throughout the year, estimate 30 to 45 minutes); walk the remaining path to the platform (20 to30 minutes)
Region:
Volta
Hours
6am to 5pm daily
Fees
Entry fee:Non-Ghanaian - GH Cedis 2.00 Ghanaian - GH Cedis 1.00
Day Activities:Avu Lagoon Canoe Safari-Non-Ghanaian - GH Cedis 8.00 Ghanaian - GH Cedis 5.00.Avu Lagoon Viewing Platform-Non-Ghanaian - GH Cedis 8.00 Ghanaian - GH Cedis 5.00
Location and Directions
Distances to Tosukpo:
1. Accra – Dabala Junction – Dabala – Tosukpo: approximately 140km
2. Ho – Akatsi – Dabala Junction – Dabala – Tosukpo: approximately115km ( on Dabala market day you can get a tro tro direct to Dabala from Akatsi)