The Bono Region is a quietly vibrant destination where tradition meets natural beauty. With Sunyani as its regional capital, the region offers a clean, organized environment, sacred groves, forested hills, and a growing eco-tourism scene. Visitors here are treated to a rich cultural experience, from colorful yam festivals to royal durbars, while exploring landscapes that range from serene rivers to forest sanctuaries. Whether you’re strolling through central markets, hiking sacred hills, or encountering the playful Mona monkeys, Bono combines relaxation, culture, and adventure seamlessly.
Where to Stay in the Bono Region
Sunyani is the hub for most travelers. For those seeking comfort with modern amenities, Eusbett Hotel provides full-service accommodation with a pool, gym, restaurant, and well-appointed rooms. Families, business travelers, or festival visitors will find it an ideal base. Tyco City Hotel offers modern rooms and event halls, perfect for business or leisure stays. For travelers seeking mid-range comfort, Batavia Lodge has stylish rooms, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Budget-conscious visitors can enjoy the simplicity of Nhyira Hotel, while Maryland Guest House provides a peaceful, locally managed environment with welcoming staff and home-cooked meals.
In Dormaa Ahenkro, accommodations like Presbyterian Guest House offer calm, clean lodging for those attending local events or visiting nearby cultural sites. Crown Hotel provides tidy, basic rooms in town, and Kwabena Lodge gives affordable, friendly service close to the center.
Travelers exploring Berekum and Wenchi can find convenient options such as Stadium View Hotel, ideal for attending local sporting events, or Victory Guest House, known for warm hospitality and neat rooms. For road travelers passing through from Sunyani toward Techiman, small inns and motels along the route provide practical overnight stays.
For those interested in eco-tourism or cultural immersion, homestays or eco-lodges can sometimes be arranged near forest reserves, sacred sites, and hills, giving visitors the chance to experience rural life and local traditions firsthand.
Things to See and Do
Bono is rich in both cultural and natural attractions.
Cultural Heritage: Sunyani’s Traditional Council and Palace provides insight into the region’s chieftaincy, offering visitors the chance to witness durbars or special festival celebrations. Sacred shrines in Abesim and Fiapre highlight Bono’s spiritual heritage, while the Bono Yam Festival (Apoo) combines community celebration with ancestral reverence, music, and dance. Craft enthusiasts will enjoy Berekum’s wood carving workshops and Dormaa’s leather and bead markets, where skilled artisans create ceremonial stools, masks, and handwoven goods.
Nature & Wildlife: The Bui National Park, which Bono shares with Bono East, is home to hippos, antelopes, and the scenic Black Volta River. Visitors can enjoy boat rides, wildlife viewing, and guided ranger tours. Near Dormaa Ahenkro, the Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary houses the sacred Mona monkeys, offering a unique wildlife experience amid forested trails. Wenchi Hills and sacred groves provide peaceful landscapes for hiking, meditation, and cultural exploration.
Markets & Local Life: Sunyani Central Market is clean, well-organized, and full of locally made products—from foodstuffs to crafts—making it an ideal place to shop while soaking up the local rhythm.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit Bono is from November to March, during the dry season, when roads are accessible, festivals take place, and wildlife spotting is optimal. Transport is convenient, with paved roads connecting major towns. Visitors can rely on trotros (minibuses), taxis, or private cars to get around.
Cultural respect is essential: always seek permission before entering sacred sites or photographing traditional ceremonies. Those venturing into nature should bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, and water. Food lovers should try yam fufu with light soup, roasted plantains with groundnuts, and local drinks like pito, which offer a taste of authentic Bono cuisine.
