Kumasi Travel Guide, Ghana

Kumasi, travel guide– Location

One of the most beautiful cities in Ghana, Kumasi, enchants travelers with its numerous green areas and bustling city life. Kumasi travel guide will introduce you to the colorful life of Kumasi.

Kumasi, travel guide– Geography

Located in southern Ghana at equal distance from the capital city, Accra, and from the Golf of Guinea, the city is a great holiday destination if you want to meet the local culture and visit some of the natural scenic spots. Local topography is marked by the presence of the Bosomtwe Lake which is located near the city and by the flat surfaces surrounding it.

Climate in this part of Ghana is tropical with a long wet season lasting from February to December and a shorter dry one lasting for the rest of the year. During the dry season a particular phenomenon appears here, the harmattan, which is a dry and cold wind blowing from the Sahara and which brings draught and low temperatures.

The hydrograph network is well represented due to the large amounts of rain falling throughout the year and deposited within Bosomtwe Lake and beneath the landmass.

Kumasi,travel guide– Flora and Fauna

Fauna and flora in Kumasi are abundant especially in those parts of the town where industrialization is low and can also be admired at the Kumasi Botanical Garden. The main species one ca find here are the ones characteristic for the rainforests like Kumasi trees, coconut palms, oil palms, rubber trees, different species of orchids, African sandalwood, pink shower tree, elephant ear plants and many more.

Fauna is represented by spectacular species of mammals and birds among which numerous species of monkey and migratory birds. The surroundings are a heaven for birdwatchers and all kinds of tourists arriving from all over the world.

Kumasi,travel guide– Population and Economy

Kumasi is among the largest cities in Ghana housing over a million inhabitants. It is a city of contrasts where the traditional landscape made up of busy streets and colorful markets blends in a unique manner with the modern districts and their occidental atmosphere. The main confession here is Christianity followed by small communities of Muslims while the dominant nationality is Ashanti.

Local economy is mainly based on the gold mining, resource that has catapulted Kumasi in the top of the richest cities in Africa and forestry, also based on local resources.

Kumasi, travel guide– Transport

Transport infrastructure in Kumasi is poor but better than in other regions of Ghana, meaning that there are no functional railways but a few roads which connect the city with the capital and other smaller settlements. Kumasi Airport is small yet very useful, offering a fast and comfortable transfer to other locations like Accra or lome. For more information read Accra Travel Guide or Lome Travel Guide.

Within the city tourists have more options like taxis or buses, locally tro-tro buses and the metro. The tro-tro is the most popular here due to small costs and coverage of all best known routes.

Kumasi, travel guide– Cuisine

Traditional cuisine in Kumasi include exotic ingredients found locally like the plantains, coconut, groundnuts, rice, fish, avocado, mushrooms, cassava, yam, fufu and lots of spices and herbs. Soups are very popular and are made from almost any ingredient from the groundnut to palm soup and are served as a base dish. Main dishes usually contain meat like fish, seafood, lamb, chicken and are served with fried vegetables, rice and tasty sauces. The best examples of local dishes are the kenkey, banku and okro which are all main dishes and contain fish as a base and are served with thick sauces or soups.

Drinks are also made from fruits or cereals, like the palmwine, akpeteshie made with coconut, pito which is the local beer, zoom koom which is made from cereals and also milk, tea and coffee.