Visit Ghana's award-winning ecotourism sanctuary

Known for its friendly people and laid-back atmosphere, Ghana is also a great place to venture out and see exciting natural habitats.

One of the most remote and untouched of these is the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, located in the north-western corner of the Upper West region.

More than just a sanctuary where visitors can see hippos, big mammals and an array of other wildlife, the area is in fact community-owned by the 22 villages surrounding it.

The project's potential to transform the area in a positive way has not gone unnoticed, winning a top accolade at this year's 5th Annual Skal International Ecotourism Awards.

The 40-kilometre protected area runs along the Black Volta River and is home to hippos, bats, chameleons, hedgehogs and many different types of lizard and snake, as well as over 200 different bird species.

Visitors can trek through the area along the many hiking trails and see much of the wildlife, including large monitor lizards and pythons.

There are two tourist lodges, run by the local Lobi community, that offer an opportunity to meet the local people.

The area around the tourist lodges remains relatively undisturbed by tourism, so travellers will be able to see the Lobi's distinct architectural designs, learn about their marriage systems and funeral rites, as well as try some of the local Pito beer, hear stories about their past and listen to music.

For the ultimate outdoor accommodation, visitors can stay in the Hippo Hide Tree House and experience what is reputed to be one of the best dawn choruses from the local bird population in all of Africa.

For the bigger mammals and more unusual birds, holidaymakers can take a river safari, where hippos, Vervet monkeys, and unusual-looking Violet Turaco birds and Malachite Kingfishers can be seen.

The best time to visit to be able to see the hippos is during the dry season, from November to June, though visitors who plan to visit in the summer will catch the sanctuary's birds at their most colourful, out to attract their mates at breeding time.

For more information see www.ghanatourism.gov.gh

Among the tour operators with itineraries to the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary are Anwanya and Ashanti African Tours