Legon Botanical Gardens

Legon Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden and outdoor recreation park on the University of Ghana campus at Legon, in the Greater Accra Region. The University of Ghana owns the site. Sources differ slightly on its size and history: Wikipedia describes natural vegetation of about 50 hectares and a founding date of 1950, while FindTourGuide gives 49.89 hectares and the same 1950 date, describing a research-oriented green zone that later became a recreational destination.

What distinguishes the gardens is the combination of planted and natural landscape with built outdoor activity. The Visit Ghana listing describes a children's playground with junior ropes, a trampoline, a climbing jungle circuit with plastic slides, a carousel, seesaw, a 7.8 m four-sided pyramid net climber, chin-up bars, rotary wings and a bird's nest swing. It also lists a high ropes course of four routes and 64 games across two levels, each route ending in a zipline, plus a canopy walkway given as 13 m high and 138 m long. FindTourGuide adds that the walkway is made up of five suspended bridges of cargo netting and wooden planks.

Canoeing is offered around islands and peninsulas that the Visit Ghana listing describes as bird and lizard sanctuaries; FindTourGuide places this on Vaughan Dam, a man-made pond. Birdwatching, fishing, cycling and zipline are also listed, along with a woodland area used for events. Third-party listings mention picnic areas with tables and benches, and Akwaaba notes an on-site restaurant and rowboats and paddleboats for rent.

Practical planning is complicated by a management change and a disputed status. The University of Ghana took over management from Mulch Company Limited effective 30 November 2024 and assured continued public access after renovation. Wikipedia's article, however, states the gardens were permanently closed as of 15 May 2025, which conflicts with the Visit Ghana listing dated April 2025 and with the university's assurance. Visitors should confirm current access before travelling.