Ghana with Ashanti - November 2024 (1 Viewer)

[simmojunior]

I've just got back from two weeks in Ghana with five friends. We used Ashanti and were pretty happy with them. I saw a total of 375 species with at least 20 more heard only plus around 20 species of mammals. I am not going to post a day by day account but here is my ebird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/295209 Will also use the thread to post photos.

Some tips for anyone going in future:

• I think November was a bit early. Several key species were absent (Northern Carmine Bee-Eater, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Hartlaub's Duck), whilst it is apparently easier to see mammals at Mole after the seasonal burning of the grass.
• Despite seeing loads, we did miss quite a few things. I think a longer trip with an extra day at Ankasa and Mole, plus some time to birdwatch Bonkro (Picathartes forest) properly would be preferable.
• Roads are really slow so journeys take longer than advertised.
• I'd consider skipping Shai Hills from the itinerary. We did not see masses there we did not see again and the birding was pretty slow.
• Ankasa and Mole were definite highlight destinations so well worth including on any itinerary.

Happy to answer any questions!

All photos on my P900 but I think this was its last trip. It is pretty dead and it struggled in forest.

 

[temmie]

Great destination and I found it hard work. We didn't do Mole back in the days, as we needed our time in e.g. Ankasa (and ofcourse still didn't clean up on all targets, some are nearly impossible, at least in Ghana...).
I would need to go to Mole for 5 birds that I have to see somewhere in W-Africa (and haven't seen in e.g. Senegambia):
Wilson's Indigobird, Togo Paradise-Whydah, West African Seedeater, Rufous-rumped Lark and Gosling's Bunting.

The whydah wasn't present nor in breeding plumage?

 

[simmojunior]

Great destination and I found it hard work. We didn't do Mole back in the days, as we needed our time in e.g. Ankasa (and ofcourse still didn't clean up on all targets, some are nearly impossible, at least in Ghana...).
I would need to go to Mole for 5 birds that I have to see somewhere in W-Africa (and haven't seen in e.g. Senegambia):
Wilson's Indigobird, Togo Paradise-Whydah, West African Seedeater, Rufous-rumped Lark and Gosling's Bunting.

The whydah wasn't present nor in breeding plumage?

We didn't get any of your targets in Mole! We saw a flyover Gosling's at Fufulso pond and we saw a female Wilson's in Kakum farmbush. We needed a lot longer than 2 days in Ankasa!

Wydahs were in breeding plumage but all the ones we saw (not masses) were Exclamatory (or at least identified by us as such).

 

[simmojunior]

We didn't get any of your targets in Mole! We saw a flyover Gosling's at Fufulso pond and we saw a female Wilson's in Kakum farmbush. We needed a lot longer than 2 days in Ankasa!

Wydahs were in breeding plumage but all the ones we saw (not masses) were Exclamatory (or at least identified by us as such).

There were other targets in Mole we missed, not least Standard-winged Nightjar (dipped), Spotted Creeper (better after the grass has been burnt apparently) and Pel's Fishing Owl (area they are was cut off by floods). 1 and a half days was not really enough!

 

[temmie]

There were other targets in Mole we missed, not least Standard-winged Nightjar (dipped), Spotted Creeper (better after the grass has been burnt apparently) and Pel's Fishing Owl (area they are was cut off by floods). 1 and a half days was not really enough!

Well technically you can get all of those elsewhere so nothing is lost, but I understand completely you were there, the birds were there and it could have happened... Still 375 is not too shabby and there are some great species on the list!

 

[simmojunior]

Well technically you can get all of those elsewhere so nothing is lost, but I understand completely you were there, the birds were there and it could have happened... Still 375 is not too shabby and there are some great species on the list!

Yes, an excellent trip. The most lifers I have had on a single trip since the pandemic. Certainly an advantage to visit a new part of the world!

 

[Brian J Small]

Enjoyed the report and ebird checklist.

This image - ML626961593 - Tree Pipit - Macaulay Library - is incorrectly identified. It is Red-throated Pipit

B

 

[jurek]

Brings nice memories of my trip with Ashanti two years ago. A birdy country and extremely professional company, one of best I traveled with.
If I remember well, we also missed several birds in Mole, but they are all found elsewhere in African savannas.

And the Nkulengu Rail chase is a gem.

 

[simmojunior]

Enjoyed the report and ebird checklist.

This image - ML626961593 - Tree Pipit - Macaulay Library - is incorrectly identified. It is Red-throated Pipit

B

Yes, you are quite right. We had discussed on our trip WhatsApp and I hadn't updated.

 

[Owene]

Ive been seriously considering trying to arrange something with ashanti so good to hear positive news and some itinerary thoughts. No way I'll be able to do 2 weeks so the logistics stuff matters even more. Ill give your report a close read

 

[simmojunior]

Ive been seriously considering trying to arrange something with ashanti so good to hear positive news and some itinerary thoughts. No way I'll be able to do 2 weeks so the logistics stuff matters even more. Ill give your report a close read

I'd be tempted to cut locations like Shai Hills, possibly Atewa and Bobiri too. If you have a week, just do Kakum and Ankasa. Kakum, Ankasa and Mole have best birding.

 

[birdboybowley]

If a short time I'd cut Mole tbh as you'll waste a day getting there and day getting back on travel alone

 

[Steve Babbs]

I get the impression that Ghana is a country that would be tricky to do independently, especially for a relatively short trip, and it is very high up on my 'must visits'. Is it possible for you to given an indication of price - by PM if you'd prefer?

Thanks

Steve

 

[Lerxst]

We also used Ahanti in Ghana and thought they were fantastic. After we were done with Mole, the vehicle broke down on the way to the airport, which was not a fun experience. Luckily they got us there in time to fly back to Accra and home. Could have been a real disaster but they did a great job.

 

[Owene]

I get the impression that Ghana is a country that would be tricky to do independently, especially for a relatively short trip, and it is very high up on my 'must visits'. Is it possible for you to given an indication of price - by PM if you'd prefer?

Thanks

Steve

I’d appreciate one too Quite interested in it but there’s no guide prices online

 

[birdboybowley]

Pretty sure we paid around £2k each (their prices are in USD) which includes everything you need to worry about in country.....except the mofo-ing rigmarole that is the visa!!!

 

[simmojunior]

$2,850 usd including food, accommodation, park fees and guiding. Only other costs were flights and the visa. There were 6 of us so would be more if less people.

It probably is theoretically possible to do Kakum area independently with taxis. I doubt it would save you very much though so think better use a guide. You are not allowed in certain forest (e.g. Atewa) without permission from forestry department which Ashanti have already.