Mole National ParkAbout Mole National Park
Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge, located in the northern Savannah Region and established to protect the region’s dry savanna ecosystems and large mammal populations. It is the country’s principal reserve for observing free-ranging elephants and other savanna wildlife.
Key visitor activities include vehicle game drives, guided walking safaris and visits to waterholes where wildlife congregates; species commonly seen include African elephant, antelope species, buffalo and various primates and birds. Park roads and hides offer relatively close views of animals, and several simple lodges and camps operate on or near the park boundary.
The area was first set aside as a protected area in the mid-20th century and later gazetted as a national park with the aim of conserving savanna fauna and supporting tourism and research. Management emphasizes anti-poaching, community engagement and visitor services.
Mole sits in northern Ghana’s Savannah Region, occupying a broad patch of wooded savanna and grassland. The park is reached by road from regional towns such as Damongo and is several hundred kilometres north of Accra.
- Wildlife viewing tip: Wildlife viewing is commonly done by vehicle safaris and guided walking tours; early morning and late afternoon visits give the best chance to see large mammals.
- Park scale: The park is Ghana’s largest protected terrestrial area and supports large savanna mammals adapted to drier northern conditions.
What to See#
- Waterholes: Concentrated watering holes and riverine areas where mammals including elephants frequently gather and are commonly viewed from safari vehicles or hides.
- Visitor centre and accommodation: The park visitor centre and nearby lodges that serve as bases for guided game drives and walking safaris offered by park rangers and private operators.
Best Time to Visit Mole National Park
Dry season is best for wildlife spotting and safer road conditions.
Weather & Climate near Mole National Park
Mole National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in March) and hot winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 19°C to 37°C. Abundant rainfall (1012 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 19° - 35° | 27° | 1 mm | clear | 30% | 2.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 22° - 37° | 30° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 32% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 24° - 37° | 32° | 32 mm | some cloud | 46% | 2.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 35° | 33° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 61% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Very Good | 24° - 33° | 31° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 22° - 29° | 25° | 159 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.5h |
| August | Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 201 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.3h |
| September | Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 191 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 21° - 32° | 27° | 85 mm | some cloud | 78% | 1.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Excellent | 21° - 34° | 29° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| December | Ideal | 19° - 34° | 26° | 4 mm | clear | 43% | 1.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.5h |
How to Get to Mole National Park
Mole National Park is accessible by road from Tamale (approximately 3-4 hours by car). Local tour operators also run safaris from major cities; roads into the park can be rough, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.
Tips for Visiting Mole National Park
- Plan for early morning game drives to see wildlife at their most active and before midday heat.
- Bring local currency for park fees and guides, as card facilities are limited.
- Combine a visit with nearby cultural tours to bush villages to better understand local conservation practices.