Lake VoltaAbout Lake Volta
Lake Volta is a vast reservoir in eastern Ghana formed by the impoundment of the Volta River behind the Akosombo Dam. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world by surface area and serves multiple roles in hydropower production, transport and fisheries.
The reservoir stretches hundreds of kilometres inland, inundating a large river valley to create an extensive shoreline with numerous islands and peninsulas. Local economies around the lake rely on fishing, small-scale agriculture and transport by boat.
The lake was formed when the Akosombo Dam was completed in the mid-1960s to provide hydroelectric power. Creation of the reservoir required resettlement of many communities and transformed regional transport and land use patterns.
Lake Volta occupies much of eastern Ghana; the dam and main facilities sit near the town of Akosombo on the lower Volta, with the reservoir extending northward into several regions of the country.
- Origin and scale: Created by the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, the lake is one of the world’s largest human-made reservoirs by surface area and extends far inland along the Volta River valley.
- Transport and tourism: The lake supports extensive fishing and ferry transport routes; local schedules and safety standards vary, so commercial boat services and organized tours are recommended for visitors.
What to See#
- Akosombo Dam: The Akosombo Dam at the lake’s southern end, which impounds the Volta River and created the reservoir; the dam is the lake’s controlling structure and focal point for hydropower generation and transport.
- Islands and shoreline communities: Dodi Island and other islands and peninsulas used for tourism, boat trips and local fishing communities located on the lake’s shoreline.
Best Time to Visit Lake Volta
Accessible year-round; drier months are easier for travel and boat excursions.
Weather & Climate near Lake Volta
Lake Volta's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1312 mm/year), wettest in June with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 23° - 33° | 30° | 13 mm | clear | 62% | 1.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.6h |
| February | Excellent | 24° - 34° | 32° | 29 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 1.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.8h |
| March | Very Good | 25° - 34° | 34° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 1.7 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 25° - 33° | 34° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Good | 24° - 32° | 33° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.3h |
| June | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 30° | 191 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.4h |
| July | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 156 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.4h |
| August | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 116 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.2h |
| September | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 191 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 164 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 33° | 32° | 60 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| December | Excellent | 23° - 33° | 30° | 21 mm | clear | 66% | 1.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.6h |
How to Get to Lake Volta
Access points include Akosombo in the south and towns like Yeji and Kete Krachi upriver. Road connections from Accra and Kumasi lead to lake towns; internal ferries link communities across the water.
Tips for Visiting Lake Volta
- For the best perspective of the lake's scale, take a boat trip from Yeji or Akosombo where services are available.
- If driving, prepare for long stretches between fuel stations; plan refueling in major towns such as Kumasi or Accra.
- Combine a visit with cultural stops in inland towns to understand the lake's human reshaping (dams and resettlement).