Aburi Botanical Gardens: Explore Nature, History, and Adventure Near Accra

25th Jan 2021 3.4K 9

Located just about 45 minutes to an hour from Accra, Aburi Botanical Gardens is one of Ghana’s most beautiful and historic destinations. Established in 1890 by Governor William Brand-ford Griffith, the gardens were originally created to preserve a wide variety of trees and plant species. Before it became a botanical garden, the site was used as a sanatorium for recovering government officials in 1875.


In 1899, under the leadership of Sir W. Brandford Griffith, a few hectares near the sanatorium were cleared to start the Botanic Department. The clearing was supervised by a German working with the Basel Mission. Later, in 1890, Mr. William Crowther, a trained student from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, arrived in the Gold Coast, now Ghana, as the garden’s first curator.

The gardens also played an important role in boosting cocoa production in southern Ghana by providing affordable seedlings and sharing scientific farming techniques. Today, the Aburi Botanical Gardens spans 160 acres, though around 30 acres are actively maintained. Visitors can explore a wide variety of plants for medicinal, ornamental, and educational purposes, including a section dedicated to spices.

Visitors to the gardens can enjoy cycling, quad biking, paintball, or a relaxing picnic for an additional fee. Guided tours are available and highly recommended to fully enjoy the experience, which can take between one hour to one and a half hours. The gardens also offer stunning views, making it a perfect spot for photography, learning about plants, or simply enjoying the serene environment.

Other attractions at the gardens include the Bush House, the Rock Garden, the Pergola also known as Lovers’ Lane, the iconic Ficus Tree, a retired helicopter on display, and the School of Horticulture.

For refreshments, the gardens feature restaurants, eateries, and snack stands where visitors can enjoy popcorn, sausages, and other local delicacies. Souvenir shops are also available, giving visitors a chance to take home a piece of their experience.

Whether you are visiting with family, friends, or exploring solo, the Aburi Botanical Gardens offers a blend of adventure, education, and relaxation just a short drive from Accra.



VIDEO OF THE GARDEN




VIDEO OF THE GARDEN


9 Comments

  • avatar
    Eyram - 21st Apr 2021

    Great article, will definitely visit there again. 👍🏾

  • avatar
    Irene - 21st Apr 2021

    Very educative.Keep it up

  • avatar
    Emmanuel Lomenyo - 20th Apr 2021

    Interesting piece👍🏽 Thanks for the update

  • avatar
    Kwesi - 20th Apr 2021

    Interesting piece. Keep it up! Cheers. Wish to pay a visit one day hopefully.

  • avatar
    Ewoenam - 20th Apr 2021

    You're doing a great job keep it up. Am definitely joining you on your next trip, can't wait for that beautiful experience. 🤩

  • avatar
    Eyram - 6th Feb 2021

    Been there before, definitely a beautiful place, would like to see it again one day. :D

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