The following update information relates to chapter 18 & 19 of the Bradt Guide to Ghana:
CHAPTER 18: BOLGATANGA & THE UPPER EAST
Bolgatanga – Comme Ci Comme Ca Hotel (B&B c300,000 per chalet) – quite ok, food ok too but VERY slow service. Best internet cafe in town is Banera Cafe in SSNIT bldg on Library Rd, near the brand-new craft village (an assembly of well-stocked craft shops) located halfway between Navrongo and Bongo Rds. New hotels in Bolga: Royal Hotel on Tamale Rd just south of town; Sira Lodge on Navrongo Rd c.3km north of town – looked ok from the outside. Ilse Mwanza, June 07.
Bolgatanga: The Nsanmini Guesthouse was really excellent value for money. It was only 52,000 cedis for a double room, which faced onto a pretty courtyard. The rooms and the bathrooms were very clean and Kofi, the owner, is helpful. Josie Prynn, Sep 07.
Big news from Bolgatanga: Barclays put an ATM machine on Commercial Street; so tourists can use their visa card from now on in Bolga. Also, our NGO association Tanga tours was officially launched on the 8 of March and covered in newspapers, metro TV and radio: The Tanga Tours office is now in the Black Star Hotel. (not any more behind root art. the GTB was not pleased with this location). Tom Verstraeten, Apr 08.
Information about the SWOPA tourist site in Sirigu remains the same except some telephone numbers. During working hours the contact number 072-24378 or 072-23432 after working hours or week end. The following cell. Nos. are also used at all times. General Director: 0244841674. Sales Officer: 0244833832. Admin Officer: 0243012967. Bridget Akasise Adongo, SWOPA, May 08.
Coming back from a 11-weeks-professional-photo-tour by car through western Africa, we would like to share that we met a very skilled tourist guide who helped us a lot finding beautiful places and meeting interesting people. His name is Rashed Anaba (mobile: +233 246445348, www.geocities.com/downafrica, he lives in Bolgatanga/Ghana. We hired a lot of tourist guides during our journey, and he was the best. Uwe Gesierich, June 08.
I travelled in Ghana this july and enjoyed it very much. Using your guidebook was a pleasure because of the good advice (many times). I also travelled to Nakpanduri and followed your advice on guesthouses there too. However the caretaker of the Sillim guesthouse almost robbed me of my money. I just wanted to let you know this is not an advisable place anymore (also very rundown), i´m sure it once was. Claudine van Heese, Aug 08
CHAPTER 19: WA & THE UPPER WEST
When going to Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary be sure to take mosquito spay with you. Small bugs bite your feet otherwise making the journey on the water really uncomfortable. Only the upper part of the head of the hippos is to be seen as they are swimming in the water. Don’t usually come out in the day time otherwise. Tiina Heusala, July 07
Wa is amazing. the people are friendly and receptive. we have been here for 2 days now and haven’t been hassled to buy or part with money once. We ate at Solider Bar last night after looking through the Bradt guide and had the best fufu and light soup that i have tasted in my travels there. today we went back to do breakfast and met the owner who drove us in his own car to the second restaurant he owns and we ate there. the prices were good, the service was better then most and the prices we amazingly cheap at ghc3.5 for a burger with cheese and chips, less then that for anything else on the menu which was extensive and they actually HAD everything. The place was called: Mummy’s Kitchen P.O. Box 312 Wa Hospital Ring Road There is also a good internet cafe across the road from the restaurant. Internet is called Maana Link Internet Café. Carl Johnson, Jan 08.
Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary – The guides are not very knowledgeable about flora and fauna but the Hippos are a marvel. Lodges are basic and you still need to bring your own food and remember your torch! Joshua, the caretaker at the lodge, is very helpful, especially when the visitors centre forgets to collect you! The tree platform is breezy and offers great views. Abigail Herron, Mar 08
