Aburi
Aburi is a town of 19,000 people (2013) on the Akwapim Hills, in the Eastern region of Ghanaian Coastal Plain. It is the home of the Aburi Botanical Gardens.
Understand
Due to the altitude of Aburi, the climate is a lot cooler than neighbouring Accra.
Get in
Aburi is 30 km north east of Accra via a modern highway. From the road most of Greater Accra is visible below, although the one stopping space for pictures on this section of road has a "No Stopping" sign.
You can take a mini-bus or trotro from Tema Station in Accra Central or at Odawna station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle or at Madina. There is also a METRO-Mass Bus from Accra.
See
- 🌍 Aburi Botanical Gardens. Daily 8:30AM-5PM. A 65-ha garden that played an important role in encouraging cocoa production in South Ghana, by supplying cheap cocoa seedlings and information about scientific farming methods. Today, the botanical garden is mainly home to many plants that were not originally native to Eastern region, but there is a collection of tropical plants that have been added. It has many species of butterflies and birds.
Do
- Odwira festival. A festival celebrated in September by the chiefs and peoples of Fanteakwa District in the Eastern region of Ghana. The Odwira Festival is celebrated by the people of Akropong-Akuapim, Aburi, Larteh and Mamfi. The festival celebrates a historic victory over the Ashanti in 1826. This was the battle of Katamansu near Dodowa. It is a time of spiritual purification where the people are renewed and receive protection. It is also celebrated by the people of Jamestown in Accra. This is due to the associations formed through the intermarriages of the Ga and Akuapem people.
Buy
The town has one of the finest wood markets on the African continent.
Sleep
Aburi is home to many resorts and lodges for visitors: Peduasi Valley Resort, Hillburi, the Landsdown Resort, and the Cactus Creek Hotel.
Within Aburi Botanic Gardens, there is an old colonial style hotel.