Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary

Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Hohoe Municipal district of Ghana's Volta Region, set on the Togo-Buen ranges near the village of Wli-Agorviefe. It is the home of the Wli Waterfalls, which the Forestry Commission describes as Ghana's highest waterfalls. The Forestry Commission says the area "boasts of the most spectacular geographical feature in the district," and that roughly an hour's walk through cool shade of trees leads to the falls.

The falls are described as a series of four falls and two cascades descending some 600 metres, and they are perennial, so they are open to visitors throughout the year. The Forestry Commission notes that the beauty is enhanced by the towering gorge face and by several thousands of fruit bats clinging to its sides. From Wli-Agorviefe, the path to the base of the falls crosses the meandering Agumatsa river eleven times on locally made log bridges. The forest, butterflies of various colours and other wild animals make the area significant for conservation; a walk through the sanctuary forest offers a chance to see a large colony of fruit bats, butterflies, birds, monkeys and baboons.

The falls also carry cultural weight. Local people regard them as a fetish protecting them, and they are believed to have power of curing barrenness in women. An annual Wli waterfall festival is held on the last Saturday of October.

For planning, the sanctuary lies in the Hohoe municipality, the land of the Ewe culture. Wli Waterfalls is located about 20 km from Hohoe and approximately 280 km from Accra. Entry is ticketed, with separate rates for the lower falls and for upper falls routes, and different prices for Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian visitors, adults, students and children. Extra charges apply to fetching water from the falls and to commercial photography. The operator publishes contact details: [email protected], (+233) 53 373 7009 and (+233) 20 433 5449, with an office at Wli, Hohoe, Volta Region.